South Texas College

College Success for HealthcareCS4H Pilot Program

An Innovations 2010 Forum

Monica Alaniz, Research & Analytical ServicesMelba Trevino, Interim Dean Nursing & Allied Health

Wayne K. Williams, CS4H Lead Instructor

South Texas CollegeNursing & Allied Health DivisionSouth Texas College’s NAH DivisionNursing and Allied Health ProgramsStudent Population InformationDivision Facilities and Physical ResourcesRigorous Healthcare CurriculumCritical Student Success DifficultiesFunding Based on Graduation Rates

College Success for HealthcareCS4H Pilot ProgramPurpose Statement

To provide timely, specific, accurate, didactic, and experiential curriculum to STC students who have declared a major in the Nursing & Allied Health division in order to improve student success and persistence in healthcare education.

CS4H Pilot Program ParticipantsProgram Chair of College SuccessDean of Nursing and Allied HealthDean of Student Support ServicesProgram Chairs of Developmental & NAH DivisionsProgram Chair: Vocational Nursing (1 Point)

Program Chair: Physical Therapist Assistant (Points)

NAH Counselor/CS4H Lead InstructorNAH & Developmental InstructorsResearch & Analytical Services

Research & Analytical ServicesThis study seeks to discover how effective the

CS4H course is in preparing students for NAH programs and careers.

It also seeks to examine students’ attitudes, perceptions, and expectations in regard to the CS4H course.

The study is a longitudinal investigation that will take place over a number of semesters.

Research & Analytical ServicesQualitative Pre & Post data was collected from

focus groups & classroom observations Data was also collected in the form of surveys STC RAS is in the process of conducting full

analysis of this data The study is ongoing & adapting dynamicallyInitial findings are based on partial analysis of

focus group & observational data.

Target Student PopulationTexas Success Initiative Developmental StudentsCollege Success Required by South Texas CollegeAny Self-Declared NAH Program MajorDeficient in Level 90 Reading or MathematicsTraditional & Non-Traditional StudentAmbition to Enter a Healthcare ProfessionInterested in Healthcare Education ExperienceDesire to Receive Additional Selection Criteria for

Selective Entry Healthcare Programs

Target Student Population DataNAH Majors Enrolled in DEV. Courses by FALL TERMSSubject Course 2006 2007 2008 2009

TOTAL MATH 90 138 202 221

TOTAL ORIN0101College Success

681 669 686 1225-420

NAH Self Declared Students not in CS4H 805READ 70 100 89 86

80 123 124 154 90 216 219 257

TOTAL READ 439 432 497

Rationale for Course & LocationSTC NAH Majors TSI Liable for College SuccessEarly Contact with Potential Program

CandidatesEffective Career Discovery & Assessment Specific, Accurate Healthcare Academic AdvisingHealthcare Instructor Availability & AccessProximity to Current Healthcare Students Exposure to Healthcare Facilities & LRC Services

NAH Division Program IssuesNAH Program Academic AdvisementPre-Entry Program Requirements / ReadingAcademic Placement Testing ACT / Texas TSICriminal Background Check (Pre-Application)Mandatory Urine Analysis and TestingRequired Vaccinations & Medical InsuranceRigorous Healthcare Educational ExpectationsCertification Exams for Healthcare Profession

College Success Course ContentCritical Thinking for

Healthcare StudentsHealthcare

Professions Course Textbook

Medication Dosage Module

Healthcare Topics for Class Assignments

Traditional Academic Skills

The doctor’s

order Example:

30 mg of

Prozac

1 Strength of drugExample:10mg/capsule

Known ratio

2

Rigorous Attendance and Expectations

College Success Course Content

Skills Lab Tours in Healthcare Facility

Conversations with Program Students

Online Student and Instructor Resources

Guest Presenters from every NAH Program

These Components Are Intended To Provide

Realistic Healthcare Education Experiences

Benefits to CS4H StudentsNAH Program Advising & Educational ExperienceClearer Understanding of Program ExpectationsInteraction with NAH Students & Faculty Access to Healthcare Learning Resources CenterFamiliarity with Nursing Allied Health CampusDeveloping Understanding of Healthcare FieldsSpecialized NAH College Success CurriculumNAH Program Selection Criteria Point Awarded

Initial Plan: 2009 Pilot ProgramOne Section Spring 2009 (12 Students)Six Sections of CS4H Fall 2009 (168 Students)Four Sections of Reading 0090/80/70Two Sections of Mathematics 0090150-180 Self-Declared NAH Enrolled StudentsMultiple College Success & NAH InstructorsCollege Success and Developmental Classes Conveniently Scheduled for Target Population

A Defining Moment in May 2009In Spring 2009, STC NAH program chairs provided

presentations to the twelve students in the pilot class.A defining moment for the pilot program came in May when

the VN program chair, Ms. Daphine Mora decided that the CS4H class would greatly benefit potential VN students.

Acting upon that decision, the program decided to award one selection point to students passing the CS4H class with an “A” or “B”, and began advising this in VN orientation sessions.

There had been no plan to offer the course in the summer of 2009, but this decision changed all that, and the size of the pilot program in fall 2009 as well!

Actual Pilot Program DetailsOne Section Spring 2009 (12 Students)Two Sections Summer 2009 (58 Students)Fourteen Sections Fall 2009 (420 Students)Two Sections of Reading 0090 at NAH campusInterim Dean of NAH Teaching One Section10 Developmental & NAH Instructors Teaching Research & Analytical Services Longitudinal

Research Project begun June 09 ongoing Fall 0910 CS4H Sections Currently for Spring 2010

Research & Analytical ServicesPreliminary findings show that students are

showing interest in a variety of NAH fields after enrolling in this course, branching out from their initial aspirations to enter LVN and ADN programs.

Many are developing back-up career plans. A number of students also feel that the course is

preparing them for entry into an NAH program.Many are enrolling in entry level certificate

programs such as EMT and Medical Assisting.

Student “Focus Group” Comments“When he started speaking the first day, he

kind of opened my eyes to what could be done in this program.”

“Well, I enrolled in this course not because of the points, just because I wanted to know more or less how is it going to be when I come into the program. I wanted to be a little bit prepared to see what is going to happen next, I wanted to learn to see all of that stuff…”

Faculty Comments “Your students are doing very well in my

patient care classes. They are some of my better students and it is obvious that they are more prepared!”

M.H. PCTA Faculty

“We have seen our enrollment numbers increase greatly as we present the EMT program in the CS4H classes, and those students are doing very well academically.”

R.G. EMT Program Chair S.M. EMT Faculty

Student Comments “Thank you so much for all I learned

in my CS4H class! I never knew about all the opportunities that were available for me in healthcare before taking it!”

C.H. Summer 2009

“I only received a “B” in your class, but I know I am prepared to face whatever the VN program requires of me.”

V.C. Fall 2009

Student Comments“I have the highest

grades in my classes in the EMT basic program, and wanted to just say thanks for all I learned in the CS4H class I took. I start the vocational nursing program in the fall.” M.H. Fall 2009

CS4H Pilot Program Future3 Scheduled CS4H Summer 2010 Sections20 Planned CS4H Fall 2010 SectionsFurther Healthcare Program Selection PointsNAH Programs promote CS4H as RecommendedPossible Requirement for Healthcare ProgramsOngoing Assessment & Data Collection by RASTremendous Healthcare Education Impact!!Increase of Successful Healthcare Students!!

South Texas CollegeCollege Success for Healthcare

CS4H Pilot ProgramAn Innovations 2010 Forum

Questions/CommentsMonica Alaniz, Research & Analytical Services

mjalaniz@southtexascollege.edu956.872.5569Melba Trevino, Interim Dean Nursing & Allied Health

melbat@southtexascollege.edu956.872.3120Wayne K. Williams, CS4H Lead Instructor

waynew@southtexascollege.edu956.872.3137