Units

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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 third clinical unit focuses on the development of knowledge, skills and attributes that are needed to continue your clinical development journey within the context of real world practice.

Aims

The aims of this clinical unit are to enable you to advance the development of clinical knowledge, skills and attributes necessary for the delivery of safe nursing care in a variety of contexts, 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. Apply concepts and principles from nursing and related sciences to the development of holistic, evidence-based plans of nursing care for assigned patients;



2. Carry out assigned patient care in a manner that is consistent with principles of safety and quality in health care;



3. Explain how key ethical, legal, cultural and professional practice concepts and principles apply to the care of assigned patients;



4. Demonstrate sound oral and written communication skills in the health workplace;



5. Apply principles of teamwork and self-management to assigned patient care; and



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

Content

There are two main areas of content in this unit:

• Advanced health assessment with a particular focus on ECG monitoring; and



• Intervening safely employing clinical skills.

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

Key areas of knowledge and skill development in this unit include:

• Advanced health assessment: cardiovascular status, ECG monitoring, respiratory assessment;



• Intervening safely: oxygenation & airway suctioning;



• Administration of intravenous therapies;



• Administration of parenteral medications, aseptic technique, wound care and hospital associated infections.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

You will be expected to engage in a variety of active learning experiences in order to meet the outcomes of this unit. These will include lectures, skills development workshops in the Clinical Simulation Centre (CSC) 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.

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 summative 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.

Students in the graduate entry program should note that the placement for NSB010 Introduction to Clinical Practice must be completed successfully before you can undertake the placement requirement of this unit.Clinical Practice Sessions
As part of the on-campus learning activities for this unit, you will:

1. Be assessed informally, on your ability to perform clinical skills relevant to the learning outcomes of this unit. General feedback on your performance will be provided during the Clinical Practice Sessions (CPS); and



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

Simulation Session
Further formative learning opportunities and feedback will be provided through:

1. Your participation in a 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 participation in the reflection upon the simulation experience which will be undertaken in a simulation tutorial.

Assessment name: Quiz
Description: Prior to the workplace component of this unit, you are required to successfully complete an on-line quiz with questions focusing on the development of knowledge and skills associated with medication administration.
Weight: Completed / Not completed
Relates to objectives: 1 & 2.
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Prior to placement

Assessment name: Placement Performance
Description: During the 3 weeks / 120 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: Both
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
Tollefson, J. (2012). Clinical psychomotor skills: Assessment skills for nurses (5th ed.). Melbourne: Cengage Learning.

Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council (2008). National competency standards for the registered nurse. Available at www.anmc.org.au

Recommended
Brown, D., & Edwards, H. (2012). Lewis's medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems (3rd ed.). Elsevier, NSW.

Brotto, V., & Rafferty, K. (2012). Clinical dosage calculations for Australia and New Zealand. Cengage Learning: Australia.

Crisp, J., & Taylor, C. (2009). Potter & Perry's fundamentals of nursing (3e). Mosby, Elsevier: Sydney.

Bryant, B., & Knight, K. (2011). Pharmacology for health professionals (3rd ed.). Elsevier Australia, Chatswood, NSW.

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

Chabner, D.E. (2007). The language of medicine. Australian and New Zealand edition. (ANZ ed.). Sydney, Saunders, Elsevier.

The Society of Hospital Pharmacists, Australia. (2011). Australian injectable drug handbook (5th ed.). Health Communications Network Limted, St Leonards, NSW.


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 Clinical Simulation Centre (CSC) 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 clinical practice sessions;


• Act in accordance with the guidelines provided for student practice in the Clinical Simulation Centre (CSC) including the usage of equipment; and


• Undertake required theoretical preparation prior to practice sessions in the Clinical Simulation Centre (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: 08-Jan-2013