Outline

Overview

This unit of study uses a blended-learning format to focus on the different ways in which individuals subjectively experience health, illness and care across the lifespan. Attention will be drawn to factors arising in illness and lived experiences, such as issues of self-identity and biographical disruption. Social attitudes to illness and mental health issues including stigma and discrimination, and how these can impact on the individual experience will also be explored. With this knowledge, the nurse-patient, nurse-family/carer relationships and the culture of nursing will be critically examined in terms of the impact on the care of people who come from diverse social and cultural backgrounds and age groups, as partners in their own care. These include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, people from diverse cultural backgrounds and people living with mental health issues or dementia. Person-centred and family/carer and community centred frameworks of care will be explored. Central to these are an understanding of emotional intelligence, cultural safety, therapeutic communication, compassion and empathy, and the application of these in clinical nursing practice to respond to patients, families, carers and communities experiencing illness, distress or hardship. Communication and shared decision-making in interdisciplinary healthcare teams will be addressed. Students will also consider theories and approaches to managing conflict in nurse-patient or nurse-family/carer relationships.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	NURS1006
Academic unit	Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	NURS1002
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Karen Watson, karen.watson@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Horas Wong, horas.wong@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Tutorial quiz	Assessment 3: Quizzes MCQ Quiz in Week 6 and Week 8	30%	Multiple weeks	Two Quizzes, 20 minutes each
Outcomes assessed:
Placement	Assessment 4: Off-campus clinical placement Clinical skills evaluation	0%	Multiple weeks	80 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Assessment 1: Mental Health First Aid - Part A Pre-workshop Mental Health First Aid online modules	0%	Week 03 Due date: 16 Aug 2023 at 23:59 Closing date: 28 Aug 2022	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Assessment 2: Part A Research Search Skills Research Search Skills Assessment	5%	Week 04	20 Minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Assessment 2: Part B Application of Search Skills Application of Search Skills, Week 4	10%	Week 04	N/A
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Assessment 1: Mental Health First Aid - Part B Post-workshop quiz and upload of completion certificate	0%	Week 07 Due date: 13 Sep 2023 at 23:59 Closing date: 20 Sep 2023	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 2: Part C Application of Communication Skills Team work assessment	10%	Week 08	During tutorial time
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Assessment 2: Part D Peer Mark Peer mark for team contribution	5%	Week 09	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 4: Final Report Illness experience report, plus application to practice video recording	40%	Week 09 Due date: 04 Oct 2023 at 23:59	1100 word report; 5 min video
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1: Mental Health First Aid

To develop skills, knowledge and conifidence in supporting a person experiencing a mental health problem

Part A pre-requisite learning for mential health first aid training

Part B tests mental health first aid knowledge post training

Assessment 2: Clinical-Team Challenges:

To develop the ability to work in nursing teams students will engage teams to solve real-world nursing issues.

Part A tests individual literature searching skills

Part B tests team application of literature searching

Part C tests team application of communication skills

Part D is an individual peer contribution score

Assessment 3: Multiple Choice Quizzes:

Two multiple choice quizzes worth 15% each will assess student understanding of the unit content. To complete Quiz 1 you will need to have studied study guide 1 and associated readings, lectures and tasks for week 1, 2, and 3. To complete Quiz 2 you will need to have studied study guide 2 and associated readings, lectures and tasks for week 4, 6, 7, and 8.

Assessment 4: Illness Experience Report:

The structured report will include literature search results on a selected topic, selection of relevant primary qualitative peer reviewed articles, critical appraisal of selected papers, recommendations, and a video recording summary of application to practice.

Assessment 5: Clinical placement:

Students who complete this assessment successfully will demonstrate safe, efficient and effective performance of nursing practice and communication activities associated with patients in primary care settings.

Please note: Each student is required to submit all assessment items in order to be eligible to pass this unit. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Introduction to unit of study; 2. Data base searching	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	2. Illness/lived experience research: what is it, why is it important and what’s it got to do with person-centred care? 3. Personal experiences of illness	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Unit overview & Skills development: Library search tutorial	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	4. Therapeutic communication; 5. Communication issues in nursing: communicating with people with dementia	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Clinical-Team Challenge: Part 1 & 2, Literature Search and Application	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	6. Mental Health (online modules)	Project (2 hr)
Week 05	7. Communication issues in nursing: communicating with people in the intensive care unit	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Mental Health First Aid Training	Tutorial (4 hr)
Week 06	Review of communication skills online	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Communication skills training; Tutorial Quiz 1	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	8. Conceptualising the nurse-patient relationship; Essay preparation guidelines	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	9. Compassion in nursing practice	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Clinical-Team Challenge: Part 3, Communication Skills; Tutorial Quiz 2	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	10. Q & A Lecture; 11. Preparing for clinical placement	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney Nursing School Resolutions specifically outline attendance requirements. Resolution 7.2 states that if students are absent without leave for more than 10% of classes in a particular unit of study in any one semester, the Dean may call upon them to show cause why they should not be deemed to have failed that unit of study.

It is expected that all students participate and fully engage in the content of this unit of study by attending lectures, tutorials and laboratories, being prepared for tutorials and laboratories, contributing to discussions in class and online, and providing and receiving feedback in a respectful and dignified manner.

Students must also attend 100% of all clinical simulation laboratories (CSL) and off campus clinical, which are supplemented with online and group activities.

Please note: Clinical placement is required to be completed within 8 months of the theoretical component or you will receive an absent fail for the Unit of Study, see:

Clinical Placement Provisions

10(7) Students who do not satisfactorily complete a unit specific clinical placement within eight months of completion of the theoretical component of the associated unit of study will receive an absent fail grade for the unit of study.

This means your non-attendance for this allocated placement will result in an Absent Fail grade for the unit. The rules relating to your degree are externally accredited by ANMAC so there is little flexibility, and these are designed to support application of theory to practice and ultimately patient safety.

Referencing style: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 7th Edition, 2020 as its official referencing style. This is an author-date style of referencing.

Assignment formatting guidelines: Unless the unit coordinator has indicated otherwise, please make sure your submitted assessments are formatted as follows:

font: use Calibri or Times New Roman in 11 - 12 point
double line spacing
margins: 2.5cm each side
use page numbers
refer to assessment instructions for use of title and headings

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

These are listed on the canvas site

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. appraise and engage in research and critically examine evidence - both quantitative and qualitative, in order to determine evidence-based conclusions to support beginning level practice.
LO2. demonstrate information literacy in the searching out and appraising of the qualitative research literature on illness and lived experience to determine evidence based and person-centred and family/carer and community centred approaches to care.
LO3. consider features of nursing and midwifery professional culture, as well as clinical practice and service delivery factors, that impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
LO4. identify and explore the relationship between ethical reasoning, illness experience and person-centred and family-centred practice within a cultural safety framework that recognises and engages with the values, beliefs and illness experience of individuals, families, and communities as partners in care in a socially and culturally diverse healthcare context.
LO5. demonstrate an ability to think critically about the ways in which patients, families and nurses can relate to, and interact with, each other, and an understanding of the relationship between trust, accountability and vulnerability and the associated professional responsibilities of a registered nurse.
LO6. demonstrate beginning skills in therapeutic listening and micro-skills in communication and conflict management with socially and culturally diverse patients, families/carers and communities, and within interprofessional healthcare teams.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Communication assessments are in smaller group

Additional information

Sensitive materials in teaching: Please note that in this Unit of Study sensitive and potentially distressing or disturbing content might be presented and/or discussed from time to time. This may include reference to for example, discrimination, assault, suicide, illness, death and dying or culturally sensitive issues. These topics are relevant to your learning and your knowledge and skill development for nursing practice.

You will be advised before the information/topic is presented. If you are participating in the teaching session/activity online, you are advised to use headphones and ensure that anyone not participating in the session cannot see images that you may be watching on your device. If the nature of the content makes you feel uncomfortable or distressed, it is important that you contact the unit coordinator or another member of the academic team to discuss this with them.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

NURS1006: Understanding Experiences of Illness

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect