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 attitudes regarding the delivery of high quality nursing care in the health workplace. This capstone clinical unit focuses on the integration of broad-based knowledge, skills and capabilities in real world situations, and professional and workplace readiness for transition to practice as registered nurse.

Aims

The aims of this clinical unit are to enable you to synthesise knowledge and skills necessary for the delivery of safe, holistic, evidence-based nursing care consistent with the expectations of a newly-graduated registered nurse, and consolidate professional and workplace capabilities for transitioning into the registered nurse role in a health workplace.

Objectives

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

1. Design, implement and evaluate contextually-relevant plans of holistic nursing care that are underpinned by the integration of related bodies of knowledge and skills in problem solving and evidence-based decision making (Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council domain: Critical thinking and analysis; Provision and coordination of care);



2. Employ the principles of safety within interventions being undertaken (ANMC Domain: Provision and coordination of care);



3. Apply relevant ethical, legal, cultural and professional practice principles to the provision of nursing care (ANMC domain: Professional practice);



4. Communicate effectively at a professional standard, in both oral and written formats, in the clinical environment. (ANMC domain: Collaborative and therapeutic practice);



5. Work effectively as a team leader, part of a team and in a self-directed manner in the clinical environment (ANMC domain: Collaborative and therapeutic practice); and



6. Critically reflect on your own performance, taking feedback from others into account, and identify opportunities for further personal and/or professional development (ANMC domain: Professional practice).

Content

This unit focuses on preparation for your transition to beginning level practice as a registered nurse. Concepts and principles developed during earlier units will be drawn upon and applied to practice as a new graduate RN in the health workplace.

Key areas of learning in this unit include:

• Integration and application of knowledge and skills developed during previous units to the delivery of safe, competent nursing care to clients in various clinical settings;



• Applied clinical judgement and evidence based practice;



• Expectations of the workplace regarding the nursing student-RN transition;



• Co-ordination of care delivery;



• Effective work practices including leadership, self-direction as well as team-based functioning;



• Intervening safely and being proactive in relation to client care;



• Critical reflection, self awareness and forward planning for continued professional development.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Key learning-teaching approaches in this unit include on-campus clinical simulation and off-campus clinical practice in real world settings. Clinical simulation experiences undertaken in this unit will be focused on complex problems such as a rapidly deteriorating patient and team processes including leadership capabilities. To undertake this experience, you will be working with a small group of students and supervised by a Simulation Facilitator. Pre-briefing and de-briefing will be included as fundamental components of the learning experience.

Real world experience in this unit comprises 320 hours of clinical practice in health care settings that include general hospitals, mental health facilities, residential aged care facilities, community nursing services and rural/remote health care facilities. As in previous clinical units, your practice will be supervised by a designated supervisor, however the expectations of your performance will be consistent with this final part of your clinical development journey towards practice as a new graduate registered nurse.

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 both must be completed successfully in order to achieve an overall Pass Grade for this unit.You will receive formative feedback regarding your progress and performance throughout the clinical practicum.

Assessment name: Reflection (SIM Experience)
Description: : You are required to participate in a simulated clinical learning experience which will be undertaken in small groups. Following the simulation activity you will write a brief critical reflection on your key areas of learning derived from the experience. Your reflection will be expected to include a clear statement indicating how the experience has enabled you to build upon prior learning throughout the course and how you intend the learning in practice.
Weight: Completed / Not completed
Relates to objectives: 1,2, 3 & 6.
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: During CPS sessions

Assessment name: Placement Performance
Description: During the 8 weeks / 320 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: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of clinical plac

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

Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council (2006). National competency standards for the registered nurse. Available at www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Codes-Guidelines.aspx#competencystandards

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

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. (2007). The language of medicine. Sydney: Elsevier.

Tyreman, C., & Farrer, P. (2008). How to master nursing calculations, Australian & New Zealand edition. Warriewood: Woodslane Press.


In preparation for, and during, clinical practice students should access an Australian Drug reference resource of their 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: 15-Jan-2013