Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Practice as a new graduate registered nurse requires the application of knowledge from nursing and related sciences to client care, a range of practice-based skills which include problem solving, evidence-based decision making, multi-modal communication and care co-ordination, and professional attributes regarding the delivery of high quality nursing care in the health workplace. This clinical unit focuses on the development of foundational knowledge and skills in the on-campus setting in preparation for the scope of practice needed to continue your foundational development journey in off-campus contexts.

Aims

The aims of this clinical unit are to enable you to develop beginning-level knowledge and skills necessary for the delivery of safe nursing care in a supervised context, and professional and workplace capabilities that inform your future practice role as a registered nurse in a health workplace.

Objectives

To complete this unit successfully it is expected that you are able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of comprehensive health assessment for clients across the lifespan;



2. Apply communication skills within the health workplace context to effectively care for assigned patients;



3. Apply basic principles of problem solving, decision making and evidence utilisation to promotion Activities of Daily Living for assigned patients;



4. Carry out assigned patient care in an organised manner that is consistent with principles of safety and quality in health care; and



5. Demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice for the purpose of professional and/or personal development.

Content

There are six main areas of content in this unit:

• Safety and quality in health care: Safety concepts and principles - how mistakes can be made; risk identification and management, the Australian Quality and Safety Framework for Health Care;



• Safe practices for client care - infection control: chain of infection, standard and additional precautions, five moments for hand hygiene; medication administration and safety (oral / topical); falls prevention, safe patient handling and transfer;



• Health assessment: physical assessment, psychosocial and environmental assessment; health assessment skills and physical examination practices; obtaining a multi-dimensional / bio- psychosocial health history; vital signs; modifications to suit developmental lifespan factors and implications; context factors and implications;



• Communication within nurse-client interactions: basic interviewing strategies, verbal and non- verbal communication; professional context of communication;



• Assistance with Activities of Daily Living including hygiene, positioning, deep breathing and coughing, fluid balance and elimination; and



• Professional practice in the health workplace: understanding the health workplace including basic structure, roles, expectations, personal health and safety & documentation standards.

Concepts addressed within these areas incorporate the application of problem solving processes and the utilisation of evidence to support clinical decisions for patient care.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will be presented using an active learning delivery format on-campus that is supported by an online component. You will be expected to engage in a variety of learning experiences in order to meet the outcomes of this unit. These will include lectures, intensive workshops, skills development sessions and simulated nursing situations which provide you with real world practice in relation to the key concepts and principles being developed. Self-directed learning will be facilitated through access to online resources and exercises that can be completed individually or with a group of your peers. One aspect of this will be a series of quizzes that reflect the unit content and provide formative feedback on your understanding of the key concepts. Regular worksheets will also be used to monitor your progress and provide feedback on your work.

The ePortfolio tool will be used as a key means of facilitating your reflection on, and demonstration of evidence, with regard to your achievement of the course learning outcomes. In addition, it is expected that you will be self-directed in your learning in order to maximise your personal and professional learning outcomes in this unit.

Assessment

There are two formative assessments to be completed in this unit. It is essential to be aware that all assessments must be completed successfully in order to achieve an overall Pass Grade for this unit.

All performance requirements must be completed to a satisfactory standard to achieve an overall satisfactory grade for the unit. This is a designated unit. If you fail to successfully complete the assessment requirements to a satisfactory standard you may be eligible for a period of probation or exclusion.As part of the on-campus learning activities for this unit, you will be assessed informally, on your ability to perform clinical skills relevant to the learning outcomes of this unit. Feedback on your performance will be provided during the Clinical Simulation Centre (CSC) sessions.

Further formative learning opportunities and feedback will be provided through:

1. Your participation in simulated clinical learning experience which will be undertaken in a small group. Following the simulation activity you will write a brief reflection on the key areas of learning you have derived from the experience; and



2. Your completion of a workbook containing case-based scenarios and questions focusing on the development of knowledge and skills associated with the planning of nursing care.

Assessment name: Medical Calculation Exam
Description: Prior to the workplace component of this unit you are required to successfully complete a medical calculation exam with 20 questions focusing medication calculations.
Weight: Completed / Not completed (Students must achieve a pass of 90%)
Relates to objectives: 4 & 5.
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 5

Assessment name: Placement Performance
Description: During the 2 weeks / 80 hours of clinical practicum you will be required to demonstrate a range of skills that are commensurate with the unit learning outcomes and the National Competency Standards for the Registered Nurse. You will receive formative verbal and written feedback on your progress during the practicum. A structured assessment tool, which is consistent with the National Competency Standards for the Registered Nurse, will be used for your final summative assessment. You are required to demonstrate satisfactory achievement on each criterion on the assessment tool and satisfy the 100% attendance requirement for the scheduled off-campus clinical practicum.
Weight: Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory
Relates to objectives: 1-6.
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Placement

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Required texts
Shibab, P. Hillman, E. Stolic, S., & West, C. (2012). Numeracy in nursing and healthcare calculations and practice. Frenchs Forest; NSW. Pearson.

Tollefson, J. (2010). Clinical psychomotor skills: Assessment tools for nursing students (4th ed.). Melbourne: Cengage Learning.

Recommended
Brown, D., & Edwards, H. (2008). Lewis's medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems (2nd ed.). Elsevier, Marrickville, NSW.

Bryant, B., & Knight, K. (2007). Pharmacology for health professionals (2nd ed.). Marrickville: Mosby Elsevier.

Lewis, P.A., & Foley, D. (Eds.). (2011). Weber and Kelley's health assessment in nursing (Australasian version) e1. Broadway, NSW: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Nicole, J., & Walker, S. (Eds.). (2007). The language of medicine. Sydney: Elsevier.

In preparation for, and during clinical practice you should access an Australian drug reference resource of your choice.

Risk assessment statement

During the learning activities associated with this unit, you will be exposed to situations in the Nursing Practice Facility that are deemed to be low risk. You will also be required to participate in period of clinical practice in a health care facility. During clinical placement, students are exposed to a range of risks and hazards that are normally encountered by nurses practising in hospital settings. When undertaking clinical placement you are automatically subject to the Workplace Health and Safety Policies, Procedures and Regulations of the health care facility. You are required by law to comply with these policies and procedures at all times. In order to minimise risks during the on/off-campus components of this unit it is essential that you:

On-campus Clinical Simulation Centre (CSC):

• Act in accordance with supervisor instruction during the designated CSC sessions;


• Act in accordance with the guidelines provided for student practice in the CSC including the usage of equipment; and


• Undertake required theoretical preparation prior to practice sessions in the CSC.

Workplace Practicum:

• Participate in the health care facility orientation session;


• Act in accordance with organisational Workplace Health and Safety policies;


• Are appropriately supervised by a registered nurse at all times;


• Undertake the required theoretical and practical preparation prior to commencement of the placement;


• Are aware of specific risks and hazards associated with the particular clinical area to which you have been assigned;


• Act within your scope of practice and the requirements of this unit; and

Maintain your personal health and immunisation status.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 14-Jan-2013