Description
This course encompasses both theoretical units and clinical practice units aimed at graduates from other disciplines. The course is a pre-professional program that on successful completion allows the student to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia to register as a Registered Nurse. The course is based on the principles of student-centred adult learning emphasising innovation and problem solving, and further developing students as life-long learners. The principles of flexible learning emphasising the discovery, analysis and integration of information, problem-solving, and communication is the cornerstone of this program.
Note: This course is an entry-to-practice degree that offers a professional nursing qualification for individuals who have gained a non-nursing undergraduate degree. It is not a postgraduate degree for individuals who are already nurses and who wish to undertake study to advance their practice or who wish to pursue a research pathway.
Outcomes
These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).
Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that students will be able to:
- critically evaluate contemporary issues within Australian health care contexts
- examine theoretical frameworks for ethical and legal nursing practice
- discuss the physical, psychological and social changes that affect the person with health problems
- demonstrate clinical decision-making and clinical reasoning skills
- identify and utilise culturally relevant and age-specific strategies that promote independence, self esteem and dignity
- demonstrate leadership through application of best practice principles and evidence informed nursing practices
- observe, measure and present clinical data and discuss the validity of the data
- demonstrate safe evidence-based clinical practice based on the integration of theoretical principles and practical skills
- demonstrate the application of science and nursing knowledge when conducting and documenting comprehensive person-centre assessments
- evaluate the clinical application of evidence-based research and the ethical principles in the management of complex nursing situations
- reflect critically on their own actions and on the nature of nursing practice in relation to the management of complex health situations, and practice in accordance with ANMAC Competencies for the Registered Nurse and other professional standards.
Special requirements
Students must refer to the information available on the special requirements outlined below. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they have the correct documentation.
Police checks
Students must have a current Police check regarding their suitability to undertake placements. Refer to the faculty's police checkspolice checks (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/police-checks.html) webpage.
Working with Children checks
Students must have a current Working with Children check regarding their suitability to undertake placements. Refer to the faculty's Working with Children checksWorking with Children checks (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/wwc-check.html) webpage.
Immunisation and infection procedures
In accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council recommendations, this course requires that students comply with the faculty's Immunisation and vaccination policy and proceduresImmunisation and vaccination policy and procedures (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/immunisation/). These are designed to provide maximum protection against the increased risk of some vaccine-preventable diseases for students, patients and workers in a health care setting.
This policy, and the associated procedures require that students have certain specified vaccinations, and have their blood borne virus status determined before they commence a clinical placement. Students who have not complied with this policy may not be able to undertake clinical placement, with the attendant academic consequences.
Prospective students are provided detailed information on the effect of blood borne virus infection on the scope of practice of health care workers. Students who test positive for a blood-borne virus (including HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C) will be required to consult a specialist medical practitioner approved by the faculty to provide advice on any necessary restrictions on work practices to protect patients and others from infection.
Drug administration policy
Students should be aware of their legal responsibilities regarding the administration and storage of drugs in keeping with the Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic) and the Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2006 (Vic). The School of Nursing and Midwifery have formulated a policy and students should be aware of the drug administration policy relevant to their particular year of study. Refer to the faculty's clinical guidelinesclinical guidelines (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/nursing/current.html) webpage.
Clinical practice
In the clinical setting students will have an opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision. This course has approximately 50 per cent of the program allocated to clinical experience. Students on clinical placements are required to participate in unpaid fully supervised shift work that can include weekend shifts and night duty.
Attendance is mandatory for the clinical component of each unit. 'Make-up' time for any missed shifts will be arranged in consultation with the clinical coordinator on receipt of a medical certificate. Where a student's skill or knowledge is found to be inadequate, access to the clinical component of the unit will be denied. A student may be withdrawn from a clinical practicum if required skills and knowledge are deemed inadequate, or on other grounds deemed appropriate by the head of school.
Clinical expenses
Students are responsible for all travel and accommodation expenses related to clinical placements. Uniforms and accessories are required for clinical placements and students will be notified regarding purchase arrangements upon commencement.
Professional recognition
After successful completion of the program students will be able to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
Structure
The course is structured in two parts: Part A. Foundations for contemporary nursing practice and Part B. Professional practical placement. All students complete Parts A and B.
Part A. Foundations for contemporary nursing practice
Part A comprises four units in which health care and nursing is studied through a social model of health. The history of nursing and the development of the nursing profession is explored. These studies include fundamental concepts of nursing within the various healthcare settings in Australia and the evolution of contemporary nursing practice. This includes the ethical and legal aspects of nursing-patient relationships, communication for therapeutic relationships, human growth and development and the concept of caring and helping. The final unit in Part A incorporates theories of health leadership and management and the impact of leadership and management on quality patient outcomes.
Part B. Professional practical placement
Part B comprises four units which enable the development of clinical competence for nursing practice in clinical settings. These units include the foundation knowledge and skills needed for the care of individuals across the life span, including the physical assessment of clients' health status in order to determine and deliver competent nursing care. Acute and chronic health issues are covered, including pharmacology, pain management, wound assessment and collaborative care. Mental health and primary care is explored, focussing on evidence based interventions and management strategies.
Requirements
The course comprises 96 points structured into two parts: Part A. Foundations for contemporary nursing practice (48 points) and Part B. Professional practical placement (48 points).
Units are 12 credit points unless otherwise stated.
Part A. Foundations for contemporary nursing practice (48 points)
Students complete:
- NUR5011 Contemporary nursing in context 1
- NUR5022 Contemporary nursing in context 2
- NUR5033 Contemporary nursing in context 3
- GHS5850 Nursing leadership and management
Part B. Professional practical placement (48 points)
Students complete:
- NUR5111 Contemporary nursing practice 1
- NUR5002 Contemporary nursing practice 2
- NUR5003 Contemporary nursing practice 3
- NUR5004 Contemporary nursing practice 4
Progression to further studies
Graduates of this course are eligible for entry into M6006 Master of Advanced Nursing for specialty nursing or research training.
