Clients with Acute and Chronic Illness

Subject 514-757 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 25.000
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

On campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: TOTAL 166 hours - 36 hours lectures/tutorials/seminars, 18 hours clinical laboratory sessions, 112 hours clinical practicum
Total Time Commitment: Approximately 256 hours Students are expected to devote approximately 12 hours self directed a week to this subject and a further 16 hours per week for seven weeks during clinical practicum.
Prerequisites: 514753 Nursing Science 1 514754 Nursing Assessment & Care Level 2 First Aid Certificate
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.

Coordinator

Carmel Stewart
Subject Overview: This subject builds on the knowledge and skills gained in Nursing Science 1 and Nursing Assessment and Care by introducing students to the dimensions of medical/surgical nursing of individuals across the life-span. In particular the subject focuses on diseases that have been identified as National Health Priority Areas. Students will have the opportunity to examine the principles and practices for facilitating the care of patients experiencing diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes and arthritis. Incorporated into this subject will also be the practice of pre and post-operative care, admission & discharge planning, self care management, community health & support services and models of collaborative care. Students will continue to refine and expand their knowledge and skills in patient assessment, clinical decision making, nursing skills & interventions, medication management and drug administration .

In the clinical skills laboratory,through facilitated clinical practice, students will develop skills relating to specific medical/surgical nursing interventions and drug administration.

In the clinical practicum,under the guidance of clinical educators and clinical buddies, students will gain experience in settings that enable them to meet the learning objectives of this subject.

The major focus for the clinical component of this subject is the integration of the principles of medical/surgical nursing, clinical decision making, and more complex nursing interventions. On completion of the subject it is expected that students, while providing therapeutic interventions, are able to incorporate the further collection of health assessment data and adjust care accordingly for 2-3 patients.

Subject objectives

At the completion of this subject students should be able to:
  • identify and be cognisant of the National Health Priorities and integrate NHMRC clinical practices guidelines where relevant;
  • utilise strategies that facilitate a therapeutic nurse patient relationship, refine client assessment by using a comprehensive nursing framework and utilise this data to develop a nursing care plan for patients experiencing acute or chronic illness;
  • demonstrate analytical skills by incorporating the theoretical principles of clinical decision making into patient care plans;
  • implement appropriate nursing assessment and care for clients on admission & discharge including pre and post operative management;
  • demonstrate competency in selected nursing skills;
  • communicate verbally, and in writing, in a professional manner with the patient, their families and other members of the health care team.
Assessment: Theoretical component - 60% a) 2,000-word case study (week 7) - ( 25%)b) 3-hour written examination (exam week) - ( 35%)Clinical component (week 13) - 40%c) Clinical Practicum equivalent to 3,000 words inclusive of: performance appraisal assessment 5 x 250-word clinical event analyses 5 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 in the subject
Prescribed Texts: Brown, D., & Edwards, H. (2004). Lewis' medical-surgical nursing. Sydney: Mosby Frisch, N., & Frisch, L. (2006). Psychiatric mental health nursing. (3rd ed.). USA: Delmar/Thomson Learning. Education Innovations 2005 Nursing Calculations Version 6. (CD based learning resource).Levitt-Jones, T. & Bourgeois, S. (2007). The clinical placement: an essential guide for nursing students. Churchill - Livingstone/Elsevier.: Sydney Lim, A. & McKenzie, G. (Eds.) 2006. AustraliaNew Zealand Nursing Drug Handbook (3rd ed.) Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: Philadelphia. Perrin, R. (2007). Pocket guide to APA style (2nd ed.). Houghton Mifflin College: Boston Stedman's medical dictionary for the health professions and nursing. Australian and New Zealand Edition (5th ed). (2005). Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins: Philadelphia Tollefson J (2007). Clinical psychomotor skills: assessment tools for nursing student (3rd ed). Thompson: Australia
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;
  • intercultural 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.
Links to further information: http://www.nursing.unimelb.edu.au/
Notes:

n/a

Related Course(s): Master of Nursing Science

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