Nursing as Practice

Subject 514-765 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 25.00
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

On campus
For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 42 lectures/tutorials/seminars, 12 clinical laboratory sessions, 168 clinical practicum, TOTAL: 222 hours
Total Time Commitment:

Approximately 256 hours
Students are expected to devote approximately 12 hours a week to this subject and a further 24 hours per week for seven weeks during clinical practicum.

Prerequisites: 514753 Nursing Science 1 and
514756 Nursing Science 2 and
514761 Nursing Science 3 and
514754 Nursing Assessment and Care and
514757 Clients With Acute and Chronic Illness and
514762 Clients with Complex Health States
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: This subject requires students to actively and safely contribute to clinical activities. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Nursing Course Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Contact

School of Nursing and Social Work
The University of Melbourne
Level 5, 234 Queensberry St
Carlton Victoria 3053 AUSTRALIA
T: +61 3 8344 9400
F: +61 3 9347 4375
W: www.nursing.unimelb.edu.au
W: www.socialwork.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This is a capstone subject in which students will further consolidate and apply the knowledge they have acquired from Nursing Science 1, 2 & 3, Nursing Assessment and Care, Clients With Acute and Chronic Illness, Clients with Complex Health States and case-based learning scenarios which feature complex patient health problems.

In the clinical skills laboratory students will refine and consolidate their procedural skills utilising a self-directed learning approach. Emphasis will also be placed on performing such skills in a time-efficient manner.

In the clinical practicum, under the guidance of clinical educators and preceptors, students focus on the transition from nursing student to registered nurse with the goal of achieving readiness to practice as a beginning registered nurse.

The major focus for the clinical practicum component of this subject is to further build the student’s knowledge and skills of the assessment and management of patients experiencing specific health problems and to develop an understanding of the accountability requirements of the registered nurse. On completion of the subject it is expected that students is able to carry the expected load of a new graduate by caring for 4 patients independently with minimal supervision.

Objectives:

At the completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • understand the dimensions of the nursing role in the context of providing complex nursing care in a variety of settings;
  • understand key concepts in the assessment and care of complex patients;
  • further develop physical, psychosocial, contextual and learning needs and assessment skills;
  • further develop clinical reasoning, problem framing and solving skills;
  • contribute to planning care for patients incorporating the principles of cultural sensitivity and understanding and an evidence based approach;
  • communicate effectively with patients/families, peers and members of the health care team;
  • accurately and professionally document assessment findings and therapeutic interventions;
  • understand legal requirements for nursing interventions;
  • demonstrate competency in the calculation, preparation and administration of drugs;
  • further develop knowledge of pharmacological management pertinent to patient care;
  • apply the skills of information seeking, retrieval, evaluation critical thinking and problem solving to selected case scenarios.
Assessment:

Theoretical component 60%
a) 4 case based learning scenarios (due throughout the semester)

Clinical component (week 13) 40%
b) Clinical Practicum is equivalent to approximately 3,000 words inclusive of:
• performance appraisal assessment ,
• 4 x 250-word clinical event analyses
• 4 x 250-word medication logs

Hurdle Requirement

d) 15-minute drug calculation test

Students must pass the theoretical, clinical and hurdle components to achieve a pass the subject

Prescribed Texts:
  • Bullock, S., Manias, E., & Galbraith, A. (2007). Fundamentals of pharmacology (5th ed.). Australia: Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education.
  • McCance, K., & Huether, S. (2006). Pathophysiology: The biological basis for disease in adults and children (5th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.
  • Stedman’s medical dictionary for the health professions and nursing. Australian and New Zealand Edition (5th ed.). (2005). Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.
  • Thibodeau, G., & Patton, K. (2006). Anatomy and Physiology (6th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

At the completion of this subject, students should be able to demonstrate:

  • the capacity for information seeking, retrieval and evaluation;
  • critical thinking and analytical skills;
  • an openness to new ideas;
  • cultural sensitivity;
  • planning and time management skills;
  • the ability to work effectively in a team;
  • the ability to communicate knowledge through classroom and web-based discussions and written material.
Related Course(s): Master of Nursing Science

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