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 offers you the opportunity to implement a project of clinical relevance and value that will lead to the resolution of practical issues facing nursing. NSN506 is designed to advance and extend your learning within your clinical specialty. You will have the opportunity to integrate knowledge from the clinical and theoretical units into a scholarly report, which may also be of value to your current or prospective employer. Topics could include product evaluation, quality assurance projects, the development and evaluation of a nursing protocol or education package, or a case study. It is anticipated that the project could be completed within one semester under the guidance of an academic advisor.

Aims

N/A.

Objectives

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

1. Synthesise and implement a coherent and comprehensive project which reflects an area of nursing specialisation;



2. Demonstrate the critical application of research and scholarship to clinical nursing practice; and



3. Extend your skills and knowledge in an area of specific interest to your professional development.

Content

This unit will require you to develop a learning contract in consultation with your academic advisor (e.g. Subject Area Coordinator or the Unit Coordinator) prior to proceeding with the project. The learning contract should specify objectives, relevance to nursing practice, a description of the project, how it might be conducted in stages and actions for disseminating results or recommendations.

You are advised to discuss ideas for a topic and its feasibility with your Subject Area Coordinator or the Unit Coordinator during the semester prior to enrolment in NSN506. You should note that some projects may require University ethical approval before the project can be implemented and that requests for ethical clearence should be submitted prior to the semester of enrolment.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

N/A.

Assessment

Assessment will be determined by the nature of the project. However, it is anticipated that a significant component of the assessment will be the presentation of a report of approximately 10,000 words. The project report is the equivalent of one half of a semester of full time study or one semester of part-time study.Feedback will be determined by the nature of the project.

Assessment name: Learning Contract
Description: You will devise an individual learning contract in consultation with an academic advisor. This allows you to develop an achieveable project with explicit objectives, milestones, meetings and assessment/s.
Weighting: Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory
Relates to objectives: N/A
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Assessment name: Project Report
Description: Assessment will be determined by the nature of the project. However, it is anticipated that a significant component of the assessment will be the presentation of a report of approximately 10,000 words. The project report is the equivalent of one half of a semester of full time study or one semester of part-time study.
Relates to objectives: 1-3.
Weight: 100%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

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

N/A.

Risk assessment statement

As a student undertaking this unit you may be required to undertake accompanying clinical practice experience in your workplace. As such, you will be exposed to risks encountered in the practice of advanced nursing practice. Students undertaking clinical placement are required to follow the same health safety guidelines that apply to all staff in your workplace. In addition, measures to control exposure to risks include:

• Orientation to the health care agency


• Supervision by a clinical lecturers


• Appropriate theoretical and practical preparation

Emergency Procedures
All facilities require that their health workers become familiar with local emergency procedures. It is your responsibility to locate fire exits, emergency procedures and complete CPR drill and fire safety as required.


Health status and immunisation requirements
It is strongly recommended that you will:

• Endeavour at all times to maintain your personal health at a high level;


• Are fit to work and have had a reasonable rest period between shifts;


• Review your current immunisation status; and


• Inform the Unit Coordinator, Strand Coordinator or Clinical Lecturer if you are aware of any personal condition that may present a risk to yourself or to clients, other students, health care agency staff or the general public while on clinical placement.


The management of your health facility has the right to send you home if, in their opinion, it is unsafe for you to work that day.


Confidentiality
As a student in the clinical area, you must treat all information regarding clients and their families with the utmost confidentiality. Information that is documented as part of your learning experiences must preserve client anonymity and confidentiality. Classroom discussion should also adhere to these principles.

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: 26-Nov-2012