Electives in Nursing

Subject NURS90057 (2013)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2013.

Credit Points: 6.25
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2013.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 18 lectures/tutorials/seminars, 6 clinical laboratory sessions, 80 clinical practicum, TOTAL: 104 hours
Total Time Commitment:

Approximately 140 hours
Students are expected to devote approximately 5-6 hours a week to this subject and 40 hours per week for two weeks during clinical practicum.
Prerequisites:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Corequisites:

None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

None
Non Allowed Subjects:

None
Core Participation Requirements:

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.

Contact

Nursing
Melbourne School of Health Sciences
The University of Melbourne
Level 1, 200 Berkeley St
Carlton Victoria 3010 AUSTRALIA
T: +61 3 9035 7593
F: +61 3 8344 4188
E: nursing-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
W: www.nursing.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject provides the opportunity for students to enhance their knowledge in the specialty practice area of acute care nursing. Students will learn about scientific principles and research evidence relating to conducting an admission assessment, understanding admission findings, and identifying patients at risk of or experiencing life threatening complications. The underpinning biological basis and evidence-based principles behind treatment and symptom management (including pharmacology) of diseases/illnesses commonly treated in each practice setting will be described. Interventions initiated by nurses at a beginning level of specialty practice will be described in terms of the research evidence underpinning practice.
Objectives:

Objectives to be achieved will be driven by the clinical context, but may include the following:

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;
  • 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:
  • 300 word learning goal (12%) – due Week 6
  • 200 word action plan to achieve learning goal (8%) – due Week 6
  • 2000 word reflection on learning experience (80%) - due Week 12

Attendance at all professional placement experience days is compulsory - Hurdle
Prescribed Texts:

Specific readings and web-based resources selected by the subject coordinator will be made available to students through the Leaning Management System (LMS).
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

At the completion of these subjects, students should be able to demonstrate:

  • the capacity for information seeking, retrieval and evaluation;
  • critical thinking and analytical skills;
  • an openness to new ideas;
  • cultural sensitivity;
  • planning and time management skills;
  • the ability to work effectively in an interprofessional team;
  • the ability to communicate knowledge through classroom and web-based discussions and written material;
  • 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.

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