Leader: Ms Joanne Porter (Gippsland), Dr Virginia Plummer (Peninsula)

Offered

Gippsland Second semester 2008 (Day)
Peninsula Second semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

The emergency nurse requires a diverse knowledge and skill base to appropriately and effectively assess and manage clients in the emergency department. This unit focuses on enabling the student to develop proficiency in the assessment and management of clients from all age groups, socio/ cultural and economic groups who present to the emergency department experiencing a medical, traumatic, psychiatric or social crisis /event from all nature of causes. The unit also encompasses the development of skills which will enable the student to provide support for clients, families and significant others through crisis and grief/loss situations.

Objectives

1. Describe and implement assessment of the emergency patient through the primary and secondary survey approach.
2. Plan and implement appropriate, age specific, culturally relevant, therapeutic interventions for clients/patients experiencing cardiovascular and respiratory health emergency.
3. Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills in caring for the emergency patient, their families and members of the multi-disciplinary team.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles used to manage a medical emergency crisis in all age groups within an emergency department.
5. Able to demonstrate an understanding of the disease process behind a medical crisis and to be able to explain the rationale for the nursing care provided.
6. Discuss and demonstrate planning and management of the trauma patient based on primary and secondary survey assessment for a range of traumatic injuries.
7. Demonstrate a knowledge of and implement the Australian Triage Scale to all patients presenting to the emergency department
8. Identify appropriate age specific, socio-culturally relevant, nursing interventions for patients in the above groups.
9. Identify the needs of the patients family and significant others in the emergency department and plan appropriate nursing interventions to address these needs.
10. Identify and discuss the application of interpersonal skills in the management of patients, families and significant others who are experiencing grief, loss or what they perceive to be a crisis.
11. Explore and evaluate the clinical application of nursing research and theoretical literature to selected problems related to the above groups in emergency care.
12. Critically evaluate the socio-cultural, legal and ethical issues related to the nursing management of the critically ill client/patient.

Assessment

Clinical Performance Appraisal (40%)
Exam (40%)
Assignment (20%)
Clinical Hurdles (Pass/Fail)
Triage (Pass/Fail)

Off Campus Attendance Requirements

Attendance at residential schools held oncampus at Gippsland/Peninsula.

Prerequisites

NUR5703, NUR4901

Co-requisites

NUR4901, NUR4924