Foundation in Paediatrics 1

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Students can anticipate a time commitment of approximately 24 hours per week concurrent field practice.

Students must be employed at an affiliated clinical agency and provide documentation of clinical support arrangements necessary to undertake the professional practice portfolio prior to enrolment.

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 is designed to promote the integration of theoretical and practical aspects of Paediatric nursing to support safe practice for patients presenting to practice settings where they will be the recipients of care delivered by nurses who are beginning level specialty practitioners.

Students will explore the impact of hospitalisation on children, understand beginning assessment of the paediatric patient and common paediatric conditions responsible for presentation to hospital. In particular this subject will focus on basic nutritional requirements and fluid and electrolyte maintenance of the child, and principles of growth and development, which underpin accurate assessment of the newborn, infant and preschooler.

Interventions initiated by nurses at a beginning level of practice will be described in terms of the research evidence underpinning practice as well as the technical knowledge that is a pre-requisite for skill development. Students engage in field practice to address learning objectives focussing on the application of theoretical knowledge to skill development and the practice of caring for patients in the paediatric setting.

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

• integration of the theoretical content covered within the subject to develop new knowledge that supports safe practice as a beginning specialty nurse in Paediatrics.
• the ability to integrate knowledge and skills learnt in the subject to recognise and plan a response to patients experiencing alterations to health and wellness that occur in the specific context of Paediatrics;
• the ability to understand and evaluate specialised interventions as described in the subject content to provide a foundation for participating in the delivery of care at the beginning level of Paediatric nursing practice;
• the capacity to use skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, rational inquiry and self-directed learning to apply knowledge learnt in the theoretical component of the subject to beginning level paediatric nursing clinical practice;
• an understanding of the changing knowledge base in the specialist area;
• the ability to apply scientific knowledge to understand skills and techniques applicable to the specialist area.

Theoretical Component 60%

1. Written assignment of 2000 words (25%) - Due week 5

2. Closed book, 3 hour written examination (35%) - At the end of semester

Clinical Component 40%

3. A professional practice portfolio which must include evidence of clinical competency achievement and is equivalent to 3,000 words (40%) - Due by the end of semester

Students must achieve a pass in both the theoretical and clinical component in order to pass the subject.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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 oral and written modes of communication;
• a capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work.

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.