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

This unit provides an overview of the theoretical concepts and clinical application principles for practice in the areas of providing nursing and midwifery care for children and childbearing families. The emphasis is upon your development of understanding of the childbearing process and the developmental stages of childhood and family dynamics. This is viewed as a normal process of growth and development, which will be affected by social, economic, legal and cultural factors. The focus will be on the nursing role within promotion and maintenance of health.

Aims

This unit aims to develop your understanding of the role of the nurse or midwife while caring for women and their families during the normal childbearing process and childhood.

Objectives

On completion of this unit it is expected that you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate nursing knowledge and skills in the assessment of patterns of human growth and development commencing with conception and extending to adolescents;



2. Describe physiological, psychological, social and cultural implications of, and changes to the childbearing process as they affect women and their families in Australia;



3. Discuss the role of the midwife in providing primary care for the childbearing woman and her family; and



4. Outline the implications of physiological, psychological, social and cultural factors on critical events and milestones during childhood.

Content

The content of this unit will be explored and discussed from biopychosocial, cultural, ethico-legal, historical, economic, and educational perspectives.

Scope of Practice

An introduction to the role of the midwife in caring for women and their families during the childbearing process: the role of the nurse in caring for children and their families within a primary health care framework.

Clinical Problem Solving

Module 1
Adaptational changes in the woman during pregnancy, transition to parenthood, parturition and puerperium; principles of caring for the women, foetus and family, including health education.

Module 2
Human patterns of growth and development from infancy through primary school; factors which lead to changes in or influence patterns of growth and development; anatomical and physiological changes beginning with conception through to the beginning of adolescence.

Module 3
Principles of caring for children including adaptation; thermoregulation, fluid and nutrition; psychological, physiological, social and cultural effects and responses to chronic and acute health problems; common infectious diseases during childhood; immunisation; common acute and chronic health problems during neonatal period and childhood.

QUT Generic Attributes

Knowledge/Problem solving
Discipline knowledge and problem solving in nursing; critical and creative thinking; written and oral communication; aware of own strengths, limitations.

Ethical/Attitudinal
Professional responsibility; accountability and ethical standards; willing to deal with ambiguity and participate in change; appreciate differences in gender, culture, customs.

Social/Relational
Able to work effectively and sensitively in the Australian community.

ANCI Competencies (2006)

Professional and Ethical Practice
Protects the rights of others in relation to health care; accepts accountability and responsibility for own actions within nursing practice.

Critical Thinking and Analysis
Acts to enhance the professional development of self and others; values research in contributing to developments in nursing and improvement in standards of care.

Management of Care
Nursing assessment of individuals/groups in a variety of settings; care planning in collaboration with individuals/groups; evaluation of outcomes and review of plans; maintenance of safety, security and personal integrity of clients.

Enabling Collaborates with other members of the health care team.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

A variety of approaches will be used to facilitate your learning during this unit. These have been developed to allow for flexibility. The unit will be taught through a series of self-paced modules supported by optional on-campus seminars and online supports. The teaching approaches during the seminars may include case presentations, discussions and small group activites. Throughout these seminars discussion will used to encourage students to critically reflect on their clinical experiences and apply principles learnt during 1st and 2nd year to specialty areas of practice. The application of relevant competencies, codes of practice and ethics will also be discussed during the seminars. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the role of information literacy in the development of practice.

Assessment

There are two summative assessments in this unit. Additionally, a formative online quiz will be made available early in semester and will help you gauge your progress prior to the summative assessments.Feedback on your progress in the first assessment will inform your development of the second assessment piece.

Assessment name: Progress Quiz
Description: You will be required to respond to short answer questions drawn from the self-directed module activities. In your responses you are required to demonstrate an understanding of concepts relevant to children and the childbearing process as they affect women and their families in Australia. 1000 words.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 2.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid semester

Assessment name: Essay
Description: You will be required to submit a written assignment focusing on discussion of a selected topic. 1500 words.
Relates to objectives: 1, 3 & 4.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Both
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

Recommended text:
Hockenberry, M., & Wilson, D. (2009). Wong's essentials of pediatric care (8th ed.). St Louis: Mosby.

OR

Hockenberry, M., & Wilson, D. (2007). Wong's nursing care of infants and children (8th ed.). St Louis: Mosby.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

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: 03-Jan-2013