Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit builds upon NUR9001 Contemporary Nursing Practice 1. It is a clinically-based unit that introduces students to medical-surgical nursing practice. Students will explore pathophysiology, clinical diagnosis, pharmacology, associated microbiology and nursing care associated with a range of conditions. Using case-based learning, the unit will take a systems approach to build on concepts from the previous semester's learning. The clinical practice component will provide students with opportunities to incorporate theoretical learning into care provision as well as development of clinical skills learnt in the simulated laboratory environment.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. describe the pathophysiology and microbiology associated with commonly encountered conditions, and their application to nursing care of clients in medical/surgical settings;
2. describe the basic principles of pharmacology, therapeutic drug administration and monitoring as they relate to nursing;
3. analyse 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. utilise appropriate evidenced based nursing interventions when caring for clients with compromised wound integrity, and pain management;
6. demonstrate safe evidence based clinical practice in an acute care setting based on the integration of theoretical principles and practical skills;
7. describe the nursing application of diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative techniques associated with caring for a person with a body system health breakdown;
8. plan culturally relevant and age specific nursing interventions for acutely ill clients across the lifespan;
9. critically discuss ethical issues relevant to the nursing care of clients with an alteration in health status;
10. provide person centred care according to relevant nursing care principles, to clients under the supervision of registered nursing staff and the clinical teacher;
11. conduct and document comprehensive client assessments utilizing an appropriate assessment tool;
12. reflect upon, and evaluate self-performance in terms of the delivery of quality nursing care;
13. practice in accordance with ANMC Competencies for the Registered Nurse and other professional standards.

Assessment

Mid semester test (1 hour, 20%)
Written assignment (Clinical case study)(3,000 - 4,000 words)(30%)
End of semester exam (2 hours)(50%)
Clinical practice assessment (Pass / Fail)
Students must achieve a pass in the clinical placement to pass the unit (100%) Attendance at clinical is mandatory. Calculations hurdle (100% mastery)

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Kelli Innes

Contact hours

The weekly workload requirement for the unit will be: Lectures 5 hours, Tutorials 2 hours, Laboratories 2 hours over a 14 week semester. In addition, students will be required to undertake 280 hours of clinical practice and 26 hours self-directed learning over the semester. Self-directed learning activities will include guided reading and development of formative and summative assessments.

Prerequisites

NUR9001, NUR9011