Applied concepts in Acute&Critical Care

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's courses. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Course Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

This subject extends nursing knowledge to develop skills beyond those necessary for functioning as a beginning level practitioner in Acute and Critical Care specialty practice settings. Foundational concepts are applied to generate understanding of the pathophysiological, epidemiological, and psycho-social nature of illnesses encountered in specific Critical Care practice settings. A wide range of abnormalities and manifestations associated with disease processes are explored. Learners are encouraged to apply this knowledge to understand medical and nursing interventions and technologies encountered in Acute and Critical Care so that they can implement nursing care in specific practice settings as a proficient level specialty practitioner.

1. On-line assessment consisting of 3 x 10 minute LMS quizzes equivalent to 500 words each in weeks 3, 6 and 9 with a cumulative semester grading (15%)

2. Written assignment of 1500 words due week 8 (40%)

3. Closed-book, 2-hour written examination at the end of semester (45%)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students will be expected to be able to demonstrate their proficiency in specialty nursing practice through:

• an understanding of contemporary trends in medical and nursing interventions and technologies encountered in Acute and Critical Care;
• the ability to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature to engage in specialty nursing practice that is based on evidence rather than ritual and tradition;
• specialty skills and knowledge required to implement nursing care proficiently for patients experiencing a wide range of abnormalities and manifestations associated with disease processes commonly treated in specific critical care settings;
• well-developed problem-solving skills that are demonstrated by the ability to apply foundational concepts and research based evidence to identify and act upon assessment data that is complex in nature and from which a number of differential diagnosis can be derived;
• the capacity to articulate knowledge in a way that demonstrates integration of theoretical knowledge and practical experiences and complies with academic standards and conventions for written work.
• an understanding of the changing knowledge base in the specialist area;
• skills and techniques applicable to the discipline;
• well-developed problem-solving abilities in the discipline area, characterised by flexibility of approach;
• competencies in areas of professional expertise and/or scholarship;

On completion of the subject students should have developed the following generic skills of the Melbourne graduate and postgraduate coursework student:

• a capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in written presentations;
• working skills in the application of computer systems and software and a receptiveness to the opportunities offered by new technologies;
• enhanced professional knowledge and skills.

This subject has a multi-media tutorial component delivered via the University's on-line Learning Management System (LMS). Students must have access to appropriate computer facilities and the Internet.

The minimum computer hardware and software specifications for the subject are consistent with the University's guidelines on the expected standard of computer equipment (http://www.unimelb.edu.au/student/CompStd.htm):

No special computer skills are required. Students are required to have skills consistent with the University's Statement of "Basic Expectations of Student Computer Skills" : http://www.infodiv.unimelb.edu.au/stuskills.html which includes basic knowledge of computer operating systems, word-processing skills, email use, and the internet. Specifically students need to be able to write, edit and save an essay on the computer and be competent in the use of standard WWW browsers and should be able to use information searching techniques.