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

Professional practice as a registered nurse (RN) requires a sound understanding of professionalism and the implications for nursing practice. At this advanced level, this includes becoming politically aware, exercising clinical leadership, being accountable and responsible, becoming more self-aware and embracing professional development. In beginning the transitional journey from student to new graduate RN it is also essential to develop an understanding of transition as a process, to critically re- examine the impact of knowledge, attitudes, values and experiences on the development of professional identity and how this shapes your practice as a transitioning final year student preparing to enter the health workforce as a new graduate RN.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to enable you to consolidate knowledge and skills that characterise the professional dimension of practice as a registered nurse.

Objectives

To complete this unit successfully it is expected that you will be able to demonstrate:

1. A critical understanding of professionalism and clinical leadership within the context of the role of the new graduate registered nurse;



2. The ability to communicate orally, and in writing, in a scholarly, professional manner;



3. An informed understanding of the process of transition, employment preparation and career planning; and



4. The ability to reflect critically on experience, identify opportunities for further personal and/or professional development and implement a plan of action.

Content

Key areas addressed in this unit include:

• Professionalism and nursing practice: key local, national/international key professional issues and trends; accountability and responsibility; National Decision Making Framework; National Competency Standards; Codes for nursing practice; professional boundaries;



• Clinical leadership: concepts and principles of leadership within the context of new graduate RN role; mentorship; inter-professional practice;



• Transitioning to professional practice: change and transition; process of transition; identity development; factors influencing successful transition to a new identity; and



• Preparing to enter the health workplace as an RN: preparing a CV; interview process; expectations of new graduate RNs; career planning.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will be presented using a blended learning approach that incorporates face-to-face teaching and learning with online resources and activities. These will include lectures and workshops which are designed to assist you in mastering the key concepts, principles and skills being developed. Workshops will enable you to work with your peers to build knowledge and skills in relation to key concepts and principles, including a critical awareness of key professional issues, the incorporation of clinical leadership within your practice and preparation for employment as a new graduate RN. Online resources will include a variety of learning objects that complement and extend classroom activities. You will be expected to engage actively with all learning activities in order to meet the outcomes of this unit. The unit coordinator and the tutors are available for consultation throughout the semester by telephone, email and in person.

Assessment

There are two summative assessments to be completed in this unit. You will also have the opportunity to receive formative feedback regarding your progress throughout the semester.The unit coordinator and the tutors are available for consultation throughout the semester by telephone, email and in person. Feedback will be provided as part of the workshop discussions throughout semester.

Assessment name: Professional Practice Debate
Description: This assessment task requires you to collaborate with a group of your peers in preparing and presenting a well researched argument on a selected topic. Your argument will be presented in the form of a classroom debate. The debate will be presented to a group of your peers who will provide feedback against agreed criteria. You will also be required to write an individual commentary on the selected topic which concisely summarises and justifies your own personal position and its relevance for your future practice as a registered nurse.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 2.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Throughout semester

Assessment name: Practice Critique
Description: This assessment task requires you to reflect critically on a selected practice issue/incident from the perspective of clinical leadership and professional RN practice. You will also need to include an e-portfolio entry that demonstrates your key learnings from working through this task, and their implications for your own transition process towards professional practice as a new graduate RN.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of semester

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

NA

Risk assessment statement

Students will be advised that if they are distressed by issues explored in the content of this unit they should approach staff or consult the University counselling service.

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: 15-Jan-2013