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 explores political, social, economic and organisational issues relevant to contemporary nursing and/or midwifery practices. These issues have a major influence on the context within which nurses and midwives provide care. They also play a significant role in influencing future directions of nursing and midwifery. In addition to providing you with an opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding of a broad range of current concepts, this unit will assist you to develop stances on a range of innovations with which your area of practice is grappling.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to enable you to acquire knowledge and to develop skills for independent and life-long learning. You will explore current issues and develop apply your knowledge of relevant theoretical frameworks to nursing practice in selected specialty areas.

Objectives

It is expected that on completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Critically examine social, political, economic and organisational factors that shape contemporary nursing and/or midwifery practice (Graduate Capability 4; Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council [RN] 1, 2; ANMC [M] 9, 11, 12, 13, 14);



2. Analyse factors influencing the organisation of your area of practice (GC 4; ANMC [RN] 1, 2, 3, 4; ANMC [M] 9, 11, 12, 13, 14); and



3. Critically apply theoretical and conceptual frameworks to current issues relevant to nursing and/or midwifery practice(GC 7; ANMC [RN] 1, 2, 3, 4; ANMC [M] 9, 11, 12, 13, 14).

Content

Major topics covered in this unit include:

Successfully completing this unit will contribute to your attainment of these graduate and Australian Nursing and Midwifery (ANMC) capabilities:

QUT Graduate Capabilities

• GC 1 knowledge and skills


• GC 2 critical and creative thinking


• GC 3 effective communication


• GC 4 lifelong learning


• GC 5 independence and collaboration


• GC 6 social and ethical responsibility


• GC 7 self reliance and leadership


ANMC Competency Domains (2005)

• Professional practice 1-2


• Critical thinking and analysis 3-4


• Provision and co-ordination of care 5-8


• Collaborative and therapeutic practice 9-10


ANMC Competencies [M] (2006)

• Legal and professional practice 1-2


• Midwifery knowledge & practice 3-6


• Midwifery as primary health care 7-10


• Reflective and ethical practice 11-14

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit is offered in both the internal and external modes. For internal students, teaching and learning is organised around a seminar format. An emphasis is placed upon student participation in the learning opportunities offered throughout the unit and on the contribution each student makes to the learning of their peers.

Assessment

There are three assessments to be completed throughout the semester. Your assessments are designed to evaluate your knowledge and application of knowledge in stable and challenging situations.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: Essay
Description: This assessment involves submission of a systematic outline of the issue or topic area to be addressed in the major assignment. Please look at the major assignment topic and related information. It is expected that the student will have formulated a broad and coherent framework of argument by this stage. A further expectation is that the student will have read broadly and appropriately for this assignment. This is an invaluable opportunity to receive feedback on the scope of the proposed essay and on the developing analysis. An 800 -1000 word written outline and a list of relevant references will be submitted to the lecturer for feedback and grading.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 2.
Weight: 15%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Presentation
Description: This assignment requires you to prepare an interactive workshop session drawing on the activity questions and/or module content provided for that week. It is expected that you will take the responsibility for the substance of the seminar session for that week. The grade will reflect evidence of research, preparation and group interaction.
Relates to objectives: 2 & 3.
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Throughout Semester

Assessment name: Essay
Description: This assignment requires you to address one of the module activities. You might choose to either address the set questions or to pose some of your own in relation to the selected module activity area. The required length of the essay is 2000 words.
Relates to objectives: 2 & 3.
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 8

Assessment name: Essay
Description: Critically analyse an area of policy and/or practice that has significant implications for your specialty work area and/or health care more broadly. The required assignment length is 3000 words.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 & 3.
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 12

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

There is no resource statement for this unit.

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: 18-Oct-2012