Nursing Families and Society

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

In addition to the subject contact hours, students are expected to devote approximately 6 hours a week to this subject.

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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.

The focus of this subject is to utilise an ecological approach to understand the importance of family relationships when assessing, planning, and implementing the health care needs of children. The effects of social disadvantage on the child and family will be explored with special emphasis on families of children with special needs.

At the completion of this subject the student should be able to:

• understand the diversity of families and the impact of cultural, economic, gender and social, political influences on child-rearing practices;
• understand aspects of cultural safety with specific reference to issues of concern within Australian communities;
• utilise capacities for information seeking, retrieval and evaluation to identify hospital and community supports and programs for families;
• utilise capacities for information seeking, retrieval and evaluation to identify the needs of families who require support and assistance;
• demonstrate capacities in critical thinking, problem-solving and analysis required to implement and evaluate care that addresses health care needs of children;
• demonstrate communication skills (oral and written) by providing anticipatory guidance to parents/caregivers of children at different stages of development.

1. One 3,000-word essay (70%) - Due week 8
2. Student presentation of 10 minutes and five minutes question time (30%) - Due week 11

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A list of recommended texts and readings will be supplied upon commencement of 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.