Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

ACUTE NURSING:
Coordinator: Professor Ann Bonner, Ph: 07 3138 3850, email: ann.bonner@qut.edu.au

CANCER NURSING:
Coordinator: Associate Professor Alexandra McCarthy, Ph: 07 3138 3850, email: al.mccarthy@qut.edu.au

Acute and cancer care environments provide care for individuals with a diverse range of health problems. Nurses working within these varied environments require specialised, in-depth knowledge and skills relevant to the health needs of the client population for which they are providing care. This unit will provide the opportunity for students to further develop and consolidate prior learning in an acute or cancer care setting of their choice. In this unit students will expand on their theoretical, professional and practical knowledge to assess patients, plan and implement nursing care in a particular acute or cancer care practice setting.

Aims

This unit will enable students to

1. Discuss issues and trends occurring in nursing practice;



2. Critically analyse the advanced concepts that underpin specialist nursing practice;



3. Demonstrate clinical judgement and reflective skills through the application of theoretical concepts to common health problems experienced by clients; and



4. Initiate plans of care to address common needs/problems experienced by clients in a selected acute or cancer care environment.

Objectives

This unit will enable students to:

• Discuss issues and trends occurring in nursing practice;


• Critically analyse the advanced concepts that underpin specialist nursing practice;


• Demonstrate clinical judgement and reflective skills through the application of theoretical concepts to common health problems experienced by clients; and


• Initiate plans of care to address common needs/problems experienced by clients in a selected acute or cancer care environment.

Content

The content will assist students to consolidate learning from previous units and past professional experience. The unit will rely largely on self-directed strategies. As such, the exact content will be determined by each individual student in consultation with their lecturer. Specific learning objectives and content will be formalised by learning contract. Where required, students will be supported to meet specific objectives or to undertake specific clinical competencies. Students may contract to be evaluated on specific clinical competencies. All students enrolled in this unit are experienced registered nurses, and will be familiar with Workplace Health and Safety requirements.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

In Acute Care Nursing students will negotiate a learning contract with academic staff at the beginning of semester (cancer nursing students may also do this if they wish, however this is not compulsory). This enables students the autonomy required to direct their clinical development and to make advanced clinical decisions. Students are provided with structured learning packages which include theoretical and clinical learning activities. In the clinical environment students have the opportunity to integrate concepts learned on-campus with those acquired during clinical practice exposing them to complexities which are unique to the clinical situation and not easily replicated elsewhere. Students have the opportunity to reflect upon clinical experiences forming the basis of debriefing sessions with either a facilitator or staff member.

Assessment

There are three assessment items in this unit. One is a written assignment, one a learning contract, and the remaining assignment is negotiated in terms of content and approach with the subject area co-ordinator.Assessment items are spaced throughout the semester to provide an opportunity for feedback on students' learning at key points as they progress through the unit. A structured approach to grading that provides detailed feedback will be used.

Assessment name: Acute Care Nursing
Description: Learning Contract
In this assessment item students negotiate a contract with a large degree of choice and flexibility in devising an individual plan of learning with a choice of including any ONE of the following - written paper; clinical activity; teaching activity or alternative item. This allows students to focus on a topic of interest. Feedback assists students to synthesise knowledge from both the unit and off-campus, professional experiences. Students are expected to demonstrate an ability to critically analyse literature relevant to their chosen topic and examine their observations of clinical practice.
Relates to objectives: 1-4.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Assessment name: Acute Care Nursing
Description: Case Study
In this assessment students can select a patient for whom they have provided care to or a particular acute care issue to critically examine the skills, knowledge and techniques involved in providing clinically and ethically sound care. Students will be expected to utilise specialist knowledge and critical thought to problem-solve in an advanced clinical context.
Relates to objectives: 1-4.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Assessment name: Cancer Nursing
Description: Negotiated Learning Agreement
In this assessment item students negotiate a contract with a large degree of choice and flexibility in devising an individual plan of learning which may include the following - written paper; reflective journal; clinical activity; teaching activity or alternative item. This allows students to focus on a topic of interest. Feedback assists students to synthesize knowledge from both the unit and off-campus, professional experiences. Students are expected to demonstrate an ability to critically analyse literature relevant to their chosen topic and examine their observations of clinical practice.
Relates to objectives: TBA
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Assessment name: Cancer Nursing
Description: Case Study Assignment
In this assessment students can select a patient for whom they have provided care to or a particular cancer care issue to critically examine the skills, knowledge and techniques involved in providing theoretically, clinically and ethically sound care. Students will be expected to utilise specialist knowledge and critical thought to problem-solve in an advanced clinical context.
Relates to objectives: TBA
Weight: 50%
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

A selection of references relevant to the student's practice context is included below:

ACUTE CARE NURSING
Students will be advised of a selection of references relevant to their specific practice context.


CANCER CARE NURSING
Wilkes, G.M. & Burke, M.B. (2012). 2012 Oncology nursing drug handbook. Sudbury; Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Burke, M.B., & Wilkes, G. M. (2006). Cancer therapies. Sudbury; Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Yarbro, C.H., Gobel, B.H., & Wujcik, D. (eds). (2009). Cancer nursing: Principles and practice (7th ed.). Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

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 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 students will:

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


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


• Review their current immunisation status; and


• Inform the Unit Coordinator, Strand Coordinator or Clinical Lecturer if they are aware of any personal condition which may present a risk to themselves or 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: 18-Jul-2012