Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This unit is designed to prepare students to practice at an advanced level within a broad range of clinical practice environments. This unit is offered in recognition that an experienced graduate registered nurse will be able to take a leadership role in promoting improvements to clinical, educational and administrative areas of nursing practice. This is a largely, self-directed unit that enables the student to identify learning needs and to meet those needs in a creative and imaginative way.
The unit lends itself to the application of theory and research to specific interventions encompassed in the spectrum of models of care that support nursing practice. It enables the student to apply topics presented separately in the previous course units and to integrate previous knowledge and skills to support problem identification, specialty knowledge and skill development in areas such as but not confined to, decision-making and problem solving, in the context of advanced practice.

Objectives

The overall objectives for this unit are broad because each student is expected to negotiate and set their own goals in consultation with their lecturer. In general, it is expected that on completion of this unit students will have gained clinical practice experience in:

1. Formulating a principles-based nursing practice project in the area of clinical speciality;
2. Using initiative and independent problem-solving learning skills;
3. Utilizing interpersonal skills and available resources to implement a nursing practice project;
4. Consideration of the unique cultural aspects of the context of practice;
5. Producing a scholarly report on the project.

Assessment

Project Proposal 25%, Progress Report 25%, Final Project Report 50%.

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Joy Lyneham

Prerequisites

Postgraduate specialty study or foundation unit.