Foundation in Paediatrics 2

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

On campus and field practice

In addition to the subject contact hours, students are expected to devote approximately 9 hours a week to this subject. Students can anticipate a time commitment of approximately 24 hours per week concurrent field practice.

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia registration (Unrestricted)
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.

A pass in the following subject prior to enrolment:

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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.

This subject is designed to consolidate and extend the integration of theoretical and practical aspects of specialty nursing for the beginning specialty paediatric nurse. It builds on the knowledge and skills learnt in Foundations in Paediatrics 1 and expands the student's knowledge of the range of patients encountered in paediatric practice settings.

Students will build on assessment skills and theoretical knowledge to include assessment and management of the paediatric surgical patient and the assessment and management of specific physical and psychological illness states. Growth and development principles will build on first semester with the focus on middle childhood and adolescence.

There is a continued emphasis on scientific principles and research evidence underpinning practice and further developing beginning skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, rational inquiry and self-directed learning to solve patient management problems in specialty practice.

The practical component is in the form of a learning contract whereby students address learning objectives. Learning objectives focus on undertaking accurate assessment of the paediatric patient and relating the underlying physiological and pathophysiological processes to assessment data; applying theoretical knowledge to technical skill development; developing evidence-based evaluations of the practice of caring for patients in the paediatric setting and developing skills in sharing knowledge with peers.

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 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. 20 minute individual presentation (25%) - Due end of semester
2. Three (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.

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A list of recommended texts will be supplied to students on enrolment in 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:

• 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;
• 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.