Acute & Critical Care Theory 1

Subject NURS90004 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 1, Parkville - 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


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 42 hours on-campus lectures and 12 hours online tutorials
Total Time Commitment: In addition to the subject contact hours, students are expected to devote approximately 9 hours a week to this subject.
Prerequisites:

None

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

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 think their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Course Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Marie Gerdtz

Contact

Nursing
Melbourne School of Health Sciences
The University of Melbourne
Level 5, 234 Queensberry St
Carlton Victoria 3010 AUSTRALIA
T: +61 3 8344 9401
F: +61 3 9347 4375
E: nursing-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
W: www.nursing.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject provides the opportunity for students to enhance their specialty practice by gaining beginning theoretical knowledge relating to caring for patients across the lifespan who are acutely or critically ill.

Students will learn about scientific principles and research evidence relating to conducting an admission assessment, understanding admission findings, and identifying patients at risk of life threatening complications. Students will become familiar with immediate interventions required to establish and maintain patient stability, including, but not limited to life support techniques. The underpinning biological basis and evidence based principles behind treatment and symptom management (including pharmacology) of diseases/illnesses commonly treated in each critical care practice setting will be described.

Objectives:

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

  • the ability to understand, apply and evaluate assessment data to identify patients at risk of life threatening complications;
  • the ability to understand and evaluate specialised interventions as described in the subject content to provide a foundation for understanding the delivery of care at the beginning level;
  • the capacity to use skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, rational inquiry and self-directed learning to apply theoretical knowledge to beginning level 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.
Assessment:
  1. Written assignment of 2000 words (40%) - due week 5
  2. Closed book 3 hour written examination (60%) - at the end of semester
Prescribed Texts:

None

Recommended Texts: A list of recommended texts will be supplied to students on enrolment in the subject.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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

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 modes of communication;
  • a capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work.
Links to further information: http://www.nursing.unimelb.edu.au
Notes:

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.

Related Course(s): Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Anaesthetics Theory)
Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Critical Care Theory)
Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Paediatric Critical Care Theory)
Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Perioperative Theory)
Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Rural Critical Care Theory)

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