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

The nursing care of children, prevention of childhood diseases, and promotion of child health, requires an advanced level of knowledge and clinical skill within a range of clinical settings in diverse contexts for nurses. In this unit you are introduced to issues facing nurses when providing care for children and families in acute and community service environments. Materials present an overview of contemporary paediatric nursing and child health issues in Australia and examine nursing interventions that enhance children's health.

Aims

This unit aims to encourage a broad understanding of issues in the area of child and youth health and to promote a philosophy of working in partnership with families to optimise health outcomes.

Objectives

This unit will enable you to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the elements of practice influenced by legislation and the need for safe procedures when working with children & families in the context of paediatric and child health specialty practice;



2. Demonstrate an understanding of growth & development as applied to nursing practice;



3. Understand physical, psychological & social responses to alterations in health;



4. Demonstrate clinical problem solving & nursing practice skills to enhance all areas of the child's maturation and the family's positive adaptation;



5. Apply specific age appropriate techniques to establish therapeutic relationships and effective communication with children with families; and



6. Demonstrate a broad knowledge of health promotion strategies that target particular risks in the child and family population using collaborative, partnership style as appropriate.

Content

The content and themes of this unit have been developed from the five domains within the Paediatric and Child Health Specialty Practice Competencies (2000) and include: professional issues; legal issues and legislation; maturation, growth and development; communication with the child and family; the context of family care; safe practice and paediatric emergency procedures; common childhood illnesses and injuries; promoting children's health.

Specific skill and graduate capabilities you will develop include:

• Knowledge and skills pertinent to paediatric and child and youth health nursing;



• Critical, creative and analytical thinking, and effective problem-solving;



• Effective communication with children, families and health professionals in a variety of contexts the capacity for life-long learning;



• The ability to work independently and collaboratively;



• Social and ethical responsibility and an understanding of indigenous and international perspectives; and



• Characteristics of self-reliance and leadership.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will be available in internal and external mode.

Various approaches are adopted to encourage a broad understanding of issues in the area of child and youth health including tutorials, online discussion groups and teleconferences. You will receive a comprehensive study guide and book of readings. The study guide will provide a framework for your readings and encourage critical analysis through a program of learning activities.

Assessment

There are two assessments to be completed throughout the semester.Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning at key points. You will be provided with feedback on each assessment item as you progress through the unit. A structured approach to assessment and marking will be applied to provide you with detailed feedback on your progress.

Assessment name: Case Study
Description: You will be required to select a child and family for whom you have provided care. You will provide a brief summary of the current situation and reason for access to the health agency or service, discuss the child's growth and development in relation to documented parameters, identify the observed and reported family functioning, and other stressors recognised during assessment, and identify the effect of the health problem on the well-being of the child and family.
Relates to objectives: 2-5.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Summative
Description: You will be required to analyse and reflect on a critical incident in the practice area of child, youth or family nursing. You may use one from your own experience or ask an experienced colleague to provide an example on which you can reflect. Discuss the issues that underpinned the problem. In discussion review the outcome and implications for practice, exploring any change in practice or knowledge. Prepare a written submission providing a complete analysis of the critical incident identifying surrounding events, the issues underpinning the incident, and actual or potential controversy or conflict. Include in the discussion the outcome and implications for practice from the incident, as well as exploring any change in your practice and knowledge from the dialogue with the mentor.
Relates to objectives: 1, 4, 5 & 6.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 11

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

Hockenberry, Wilson, Winkelstein & Klein. (2010). Wong's nursing care of infants and children (9th 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: 17-Oct-2012