Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit provides final preparation of the student for practice as a registered nurse. Adult learning principles are applied to encourage the student to identify specific learning needs and pursue opportunities to achieve tailored educational objectives. The approach to clinical learning featured in this unit enables students to explore an area of specific interest in nursing that will include a three week clinical elective placement in a relevant clinical setting. This area may be a clinical specialization such as aged care, community health, paediatrics or mental health; alternatively students may focus on specific elements of the nursing role, such as managerial or teaching aspects. An additional three week clinical consolidation placement is also included in this unit that will assist students in preparation for professional practice. The increasing importance of professional portfolios for the purpose of maintaining and demonstrating competency will be emphasized in this unit. A focus on principles of leadership, management, therapeutic and professional communication, organisational psychology, multidisciplinary team work, and clinical decision making will enable consolidation and application of prior learning in this course facilitating the transition from student to professional nurse.

Objectives

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

1. develop the ability to perform advanced skills in the areas of cardiac and respiratory patient management;
2. reflect on and identify specific learning needs in preparation for registration as a professional nurse;
3. utilise adult learning theories, concepts and principles to identify specific learning needs and strategies by which these can be met;
4. demonstrate critical application of skills in communication, organisation, leadership and management;
5. employ clinical and critical decision making skills to identify, analyse and resolve problems in the practice environment;
6. develop and implement patient centered care interventions that encompass patients' cultural, ethical and developmental needs;
7. reflect critically on their personal and professional development in preparation for practice as a registered nurse;
8. practice with increasing independence in accordance with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) National Competencies for the Registered Nurse, Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses, and;
9. demonstrate evidence of competency through the development of a professional portfolio.

Assessment

Learning contract (10%)
Clinical portfolio (30%)
Conference presentation and supporting documentation (1,000 words)(40%)
Reflective activities (20%)
Clinical placement assessment (Pass/Fail)
Students must achieve a pass in the clinical placement to pass the unit (100%) Attendance at clinical placement is mandatory.

Contact hours

Students will be on campus for eight weeks in this semester plus six weeks spent in clinical practice. The weekly on campus workload requirement for the unit will be three hours of lectures and two hours of tutorials over eight weeks. In addition, students will be required to undertake 200 hours of clinical practice and 32 hours self-directed learning over the semester. Self-directed learning activities will include guided reading and preparation for clinical practicum and assessment tasks.

Prerequisites

NUR9001, NUR9011, NUR9002, NUR9022, NUR9003