NUR1112 - Fundamental skills and knowledge for nursing and midwifery practice 1 - 2018

This unit introduces students to the structure and function of the human body together with pharmacological concepts to inform the development of key nursing and midwifery practice concepts.

Knowledge of the structure and function of the human body will enable students to undertake and interpret findings of a systematic health assessment of the physiological and psychosocial aspects of a person and relate these to factors that affect health across the lifespan.

Students will apply their knowledge of cells and tissues, the nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems to fundamental nursing and midwifery skills in a simulated clinical environment.

The unit also provides students with the opportunity to investigate the evidence for essential nursing and midwifery skills.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Identify and describe the normal structure and function of body systems including basic biochemistry and homeostasis as they affect health across the lifespan;
2. Describe the normal structure and function of cells and tissues, and the associated nursing and midwifery practice considerations;
3. Describe the normal structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems, the cardiovascular and respiratory systems as they pertain to a systematic health assessment;
4. Identify and apply the principles of accountable documentation in the recording of systematic health assessment data;
5. Outline the principles of pharmacology, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics necessary for safe medication administration;
6. Apply knowledge of the nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems in the measurement and documentation of vital signs and undertaking an ECG;
7. Outline the supporting evidence for fundamental nursing and midwifery skills.
8. Demonstrate satisfactory performance of fundamental nursing and midwifery skills including assessment of vital signs.

• Written Examination (3 hours) (40%) (Hurdle)
• Clinical Skills Assessment (Vital Signs) (30 minutes) (10%) (Hurdle)
• Mid-Semester Test (Bioscience) (60 minutes) (10%)
• Moodle Lessons & Online Quizzes (5,000 words) (20%)
• Written Assessment (Health History) (2,000 words) (20%)

Hurdle requirement:

Students must attend all workshops, clinical learning environment sessions, tutorials and practical sessions. Minimum attendance (with supporting documentation) is 80% otherwise a fail grade will be awarded for the unit. Attendance at lectures is not compulsory.

Students must submit a police check, working with children check, immunisation compliance forms and evidence of serology to pass the unit and be allocated a clinical placement.

Lectures: 4 hours per week

Workshops: 1 hour per week

Clinical Learning Environment Session: 1 hour per week

Tutorials: 1.5 hours per week

Practical Sessions: 2 hours per fortnight

See also Unit timetable information

Nursing

Nursing and midwifery