Leader: TBA

Offered

Gippsland First semester 2008 (Day)
Mildura First semester 2008 (Day)
Peninsula First semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit introduces the concepts of medical and surgical nursing across the lifespan along with an introduction to pharmacology. A case based approach is used to facilitate the integration and application of pharmacological principles and associated drug groups underpinned by human pathophysiology related to the body system under review. Systems studied include respiratory, cardiovascular and endocrine. Pain management and wound assessment and integrity, introduced in first year, are explored at an increasing complex level. The clinical practicum component provides opportunities to develop competency to a year 2 level in a range of skills learnt in the simulated laboratory environment.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, it is expected that the student will be able to:

1. demonstrate a knowledge of the pathophysiological changes associated with respiratory, cardiovascular and endocrine dysfunction, and their application to the nursing care of clients in medical/surgical settings;
2. discuss the basic principles of pharmacology, therapeutic drug administration and monitoring as they relate to nursing;
3. analyse the problems associated with drug administration, including drug interactions and the use of drugs across the life-span;
4. describe the legal and professional nursing requirements associated with quality use of medications including safe drug administration, storage and handling;
5. identify and apply appropriate evidence based nursing interventions when caring for clients with compromised wound integrity, and pain management;
6. begin to develop the ability to plan culturally relevant and age specific nursing interventions for acutely ill clients;
7. identify ethical issues relevant to the nursing care of clients with an alteration in health status;
8. demonstrate safe clinical practice in an acute care setting based on the integration of theoretical principles and practical skills;
9. provide person centred care according to relevant nursing care principles, to clients under the supervision of registered nursing staff and the clinical teacher;
10. conduct and document comprehensive assessments of the needs of clients utlising an appropriate assessment tool, and
11. begin to evaluate self-performance in terms of the delivery of quality nursing care.

Assessment

Examination: 50%
Cast study: 30%
Quizzes: 20%
Skill assessment: Pass/Fail Clinical placement assessment, 100% mastery Calculation hurdle. Students must achieve a pass in the skill assessment and the clinical placement to pass the unit.
Students must attend 90% of all scheduled laboratories - refer to school clinical guidelines for details.

Contact hours

5 hours lectures per week supported with 2 hours laboratory, 1 hour of tutorial with 2 hours of online guided learning activities per week for 10 weeks plus three (3) weeks of clinical placement at 4 days/week (based on an 8 hour day) and private study over the 13 week semester - a total of 312 hours.

Prerequisites

NUR1101, NUR1102, HSC1301, HSC1302