Critical Care Nursing 2

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted in one of the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice (Critical Care). This subject is not available for students admitted in any other courses. Please contact the School of Melbourne Custom Programs for more information.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

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 programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Student Equity and Disability Support Team: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject is designed to provide the theoretical foundation for entry into specialty critical care nursing practice. Students will extend their understanding of general to systemic pathology of organ systems. This knowledge will be applied to the assessment and management of acute and complex illness in critically ill patients. Patient and family perspectives of illness will be considered in the development and implementation of multi-disciplinary care planning. Students will gain essential knowledge to plan, manage and evaluate advanced critical care interventions. They will apply scientific principles and research evidence underpinning the assessment and management of acute and complex illness, and identify patients deterioration / life threatening complications.

On successful completion of this subject students will demonstrate theoretical knowledge in specialty nursing by:
1. Integrating core principles covered in the subject and its pre-requisite, Applied Pathophysiology, to develop foundational knowledge in the nursing assessment, diagnosis and multi-disciplinary management of complex health conditions;
2. Applying knowledge and skills learnt in the subject to plan and implement evidence based specialist critical care nursing care for patients with acute and complex health conditions;
3. Selecting and critically evaluating nursing interventions in for patients with acute and complex conditions;
4. Reflecting on the psycho-social factors influencing patient outcomes to optimise safety and quality in the critical care settings.

Written assignment (1000 words) Week 5 - 20%
Written assignment (2000 words) Week 10 - 30%
4 Closed Book tests (Weeks 4, 7, 9, 12) - 50%

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 graduate coursework student:
1. A capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in written modes of communication;
2. A capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work.
3. An ability to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in the discipline
4. Well-developed problem-solving abilities in the discipline area, characterised by flexibility of approach.
5. An advanced understanding of the international context and sensitivities of the specialist area
6. Advanced skills and techniques applicable to the discipline.