1999 Medicine Handbook - Bachelor of Nursing

Bachelor of Nursing

Introduction
Objectives
Entry requirements
Prerequisites
General information
Course outline
Laboratory safety precautions
Clinical practice

Introduction

Course code: 0727 Gippsland and Peninsula
Course coordinator: Ms L Grant (Gippsland); Ms G Milton (Peninsula)
The Bachelor of Nursing program has a core curriculum that is offered at both the Gippsland and Peninsula campuses.
The course is offered over three academic years of full-time study or on a part-time basis. The Bachelor of Nursing will be awarded on completion of the course and will lead to eligibility for general nurse registration (Division 1) with the Nurses Board of Victoria.
The course aims to prepare graduates with the personal and professional qualities required for future nursing practice. To achieve this, students will develop nursing competencies related to health promotion; health breakdown and rehabilitative care.
Students are expected to develop skills of critical analysis in relation to the theory and practice of nursing, and also develop skills according to accepted standards of nursing practice.

Objectives

On successful completion of the course the student will be expected to:

meet currently accepted standards of nursing practice as set down in the ANCI (1994) Australian Nurses Council Incorporated;
provide holistic nursing care as a first-level practitioner in a variety of health care settings compatible with the broad health care needs and goals of Australia's multicultural society;
practice effectively and safely, and maintain legal and ethical standards of practice;
identify the health care needs and problems of individuals and groups of people in a variety of settings;
set priorities in respect to health care needs and problems and make referrals when appropriate;
plan, implement and evaluate care activities which encourage individuals and groups to achieve independence or self help in achieving and maintaining optimal levels of health;
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of political, historical, cultural, social and professional forces which have influenced nursing in the past and which provide the tensions and potential for change within nursing at present;
appreciate the importance of participating in further education;
understand and appreciate the importance of nursing research;
critically analyse and apply research findings to nursing practice;
adopt a collaborative approach to health care both at an interpersonal and an interdisciplinary level;
encompass caring as a foundational concept for nursing practice;
demonstrate an ability to be self-directed when required, in the delivery of nursing care;
participate in health teaching.

Entry requirements

Satisfactory completion of Victorian Certificate of Education.

Prerequisites

A grade average of D in English and Mathematics (any).
Comparable qualifications. Applicants may be admitted to the course on the basis of qualifications deemed to be the equivalent of VCE. This includes qualifications at either secondary or tertiary level obtained interstate, overseas or TAFE qualifications. Proof of a pass in English is required for students with overseas qualifications from non-English speaking basckgrounds.
Articulation with TAFE - applicants who have satisfactorily completed the Certificate IV in Health (Nursing) may also apply for credit for some first-year nursing subjects (up to twenty-four credit points).
A pass in a minimum of two university subjects, for example by open learning (OLA) or 'Single subject enrolment'.

All applicants must apply through:
Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)
40 Park Street
South Melbourne 3205
Telephone: (03) 9690 7977

General information

Approximately 50 per cent of the course involves clinical experience placements. Students are responsible for related transport and accommodation costs. Students will be expected to travel to designated clinical venues. 100 per cent attendance at clinical is mandatory. Appropriate uniform and footwear will be required, which may be purchased through the school before the end of first semester.
It is a requirement that all students obtain relevant vaccination prior to clinical experience placements. Students must comply with both university and hospital requirements for infectious disease management. Police checks are also required by some clinical agencies.

Course outline

To qualify for the Bachelor of Nursing students must satisfactorily complete the following subjects.

Year one

First semester

NUR1101 Nursing practice 1: Health perspectives over the lifespan
NUR1201 Introduction to nursing studies 1: Professional values
NUR1301 Science in nursing 1
NUR1401 Psychosocial studies 1: Health and human behaviour

Second semester

NUR1102 Nursing practice 2: Concepts and practice of nursing care
NUR1202 Introduction to nursing studies 2: Realities of contemporary nursing
NUR1302 Science in nursing 2
NUR1402 Psychosocial studies 2: Sociology of health

Year two

NUR2103 Nursing practice 3A: Acute medical/surgical nursing A
NUR2113 Nursing practice 3B: Acute medical/surgical nursing B
NUR2104 Nursing practice 4: Psychiatric and mental health nursing
NUR2105 Nursing practice 5: Family and reproductive health nursing
NUR2201 Therapeutics and medication
NUR2303 Science in nursing 3
NUR2304 Science in nursing 4
NUR2403 Psychosocial studies 3: Social origins of health and illness

Year three

First semester

NUR3201 Research in nursing practice
NUR3106 Nursing practice 6: Introduction to high dependency nursing
NUR3305 Science in nursing 5
NUR3202 Transition to professional roles: ethics, law and management

Second semester

NUR3107 Nursing practice 7: Community nursing
NUR3108 Nursing practice 8 (large clinical): Advanced clinical practicum
NUR3109 Nursing practice 9: Rural and remote care (Gippsland), or
NUR3119 Prespecialisation nursing studies (Peninsula)

Laboratory safety precautions

Internal undergraduate students will be required to attend laboratory sessions for both science and nursing components. At the commencement of semester students will be instructed in laboratory safety and it is essential that all safety regulations be adhered to.
Non-attendance at nursing laboratory sessions without a medical certificate may mean exclusion from clinical placement. A medical certificate should be forwarded to the subject adviser.

Clinical practice

In the clinical setting the student will have an opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision. Clinical experience is obtained in a wide variety of health agencies throughout the Gippsland and Melbourne metropolitan regions.
Clinical experience makes up 50 per cent of the Bachelor of Nursing course. Generally speaking a student on clinical experience may commence with a 7 am start at the venue or an afternoon shift with a 10 pm finish. Any variation in times for attendance at clinical or field experience will be notified in advance. In addition to single-day clinicals, students work a supervised unpaid 37.5-hour week.
Attendance is mandatory for the clinical component of each subject. Make-up for time missed will be arranged in consultation with the clinical coordinator.

Students on clinical placement

During clinical placement students are expected to discuss their clinical learning needs and clarify what is required of them by the teacher and nursing staff. Students are accountable for providing safe nursing care. Students must ensure they are supervised by the clinical teacher/registered nurse for the initial performance of all new learning experiences. Consultation must take place with the clinical teacher before students undertake any care or procedure for which they are not yet theoretically prepared.
It is the student's responsibility to ensure supervision of practice. Students are supernumerary to health workers in clinical centres and on field experience. They are learners primarily in all settings. The attending students are reminded that they bear a responsibility to the people entrusted to their care. It is vital that any information the student has access to remains confidential. At all times students are responsible and accountable for their own actions.
Whilst in the clinical area students are reminded that they are guests of the agency and are expected to behave and dress in a professional manner.

Drugs

Students should be aware of their legal position regarding the administration and storage of drugs. In addition, it is the policy of the campus that where drugs are required to be checked by two people prior to administration under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Victoria), the student and supervisor (clinical teacher or registered nurse) are considered as one person.
Where a student's skill or knowledge is found to be inadequate, access to the clinical component of the subject will be denied (see Course Regulations, reproduced at the end of this handbook).

Expenses

Students are responsible for all arrangements and expenses related to travel and accommodation for clinical experience.
Uniforms and accessories are required for clinical placements and students will be notified regarding purchase arrangements upon commencement.

Vaccinations

It is required that students obtain relevant vaccinations prior to clinical placement and some clinical venues require police checks prior to students being admitted. Arrangements regarding serological screening and vaccination will be organised on commencement. Students should be aware of the drug administration policy relevant to the particular year of study.

Withdrawal from clinical practicum

A student may be withdrawn from clinical practicum if required skills/knowledge are deemed inadequate, or on other grounds deemed appropriate by the head of school.