NUR5218 - Advanced clinical decision making - 2018

This unit further extends the students' knowledge and skills relating to the clinical reasoning process to enable them to plan and implement evidence-informed interventions.

The unit requires students to analyse the clinical, cultural and professional factors that influence nurse practitioner clinical decision making.

The clinical skill development and consolidation will be supported through the provision of adequate and appropriate clinical practice in the context of the workplace setting. Students will be expected to work closely with their clinical mentors to achieve this.

The unit promotes a holistic model of care that includes recognition of and respect for cultural identity and lifestyle choices and how these factors can influence decision making.

The unit also provides an examination of contemporary professional issues that impact on nurse practitioner practice and inform the scope of the nurse practitioner role in specific practice areas.

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

1. Apply extended skills in diagnostic reasoning to speciality nurse practitioner practice
2. Synthesise and interpret findings from clinical assessment and diagnostic tests to plan and implement appropriate, evidence-based preventive and/or therapeutic interventions
3. Design and develop a learning package targeting advanced clinical decision making relevant to speciality nurse practitioner practice
4. Implement sound clinical decisions that are cognisant of the impact of social and cultural factors on the health of individuals and communities
5. Evaluate the specific health care needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and incorporate their cultural beliefs and practices into interactions and care planning
6. Implement culturally safe nurse practitioner practice
7. Critically analyse the scope of nurse practitioner practice in a specific practice area and how it contributes to the organisation and the community
8. Explain the professional, legal and ethical responsibilities associated with the nurse practitioner role to stakeholders
9. Critically analyse clinical issues that support or complicate nurse practitioner practice

Students must be employed for at least 2 days per week in an appropriate clinical environment cognisant with course objectives and have support to undertake extended clinical practice.

• Online discussion (10%)
• Written Case Study (1,800 words) (15%)
• Written assignment (1,800 words) (15%)+
• Peer Feedback Assessment (equivalent to 1,200 words) (10%)
• Learning Contract (equivalent to 1,200 words) (15%)
• Completed Learning Contract Portfolio (equivalent to 4,200 words) (35%)
• Clinical portfolio (including Semester 4 Summative Assessment) (Pass / Fail) (Hurdle)

It is expected that students will undertake 25 hrs per week of online activities and self-directed learning.

This will consist of approximately 12 hours of self-directed learning and 12 hours teacher-directed learning per week.

Students are also expected to attend 4 contact days throughout the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

Residential school 2 - 3 days during the semester, 25 hours per week online activities and self-directed learning.

Nursing

Nurse practitioner