Clients with Acute and Chronic Illness

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

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.

Level 2 First Aid Certificate

And a pass in the following prior to enrolment:

This subject requires students to actively and safely contribute to clinical activities. Students who think their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Nursing Course Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

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.

• 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.

Theoretical Component 50%

1. 1,000 word Assignment (10%)
2. 3 hour exam (40%).

Clinical Component 50%

a) Clinical Practicum Performance Assessment 20%
b) Clinical Practice Analysis 1 x 1,500 words 20%
c) 10 minute Medication Log Quiz x 5 quizzes on LMS 10%

Hurdle Component
a) 15 minute drug calculation test

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

Brown, D., & Edwards, H. (2008). Lewis’ medical-surgical nursing (2nd ed.) Sydney: Elsevier Mosby.

Stedman’s medical dictionary for the health professions and nursing. Australian and New Zealand Edition (5th ed.). (2005)

Perrin, R. (2009). Pocket guide to APA style (3rd ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin College.

Education Innovations. (2005). Nursing Calculations (Version 6.0.0). ( General Relativity Pty Ltd, CD-ROM 2005 release).

Bullock, S., Manias, E., & Galbraith, A. (2007). Fundamentals of pharmacology (5th ed.). Australia: Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education.

Crisp, J. & Taylor, C. (2009). Potter and Perry’s Fundamentals of Nursing (3rd ed.). Chatswod, NSW: Elsevier Australia.

Lim, A. (ED). (2008). Australia New Zealand Nursing & Midwifery drug handwbook (4th ed.). Broadway, NSW: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.