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Unit of study_

NURS1008: Acute Care Nursing Practice

Semester 2 Early, 2020 [Normal day] - Mallett Street, Sydney

This unit of study will examine the integration of theoretical and clinical components of nursing knowledge to enable the provision of care to acutely ill patients. From a person-centred care perspective the responses of individuals and their families to an acute disruption in health will be explored. The content of this unit relates to medical/surgical nursing and focuses on the themes of disruptions to health, the impact of illness and surgery, the process of nursing care, especially in the peri-operative phase for individuals and their families, based on an evidence-based approach to nursing care. Legislation and legal responsibilities and nursing actions in relation to treatment, surgery and medication administration are also examined in this unit.

Unit details and rules

Unit code NURS1008
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 Astrid Frotjold, astrid.frotjold@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small test hurdle task Clinical assessment: medication
Medication calculations
0% - 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO5
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam hurdle task Final exam
Short and medium length answers
45% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4
Tutorial quiz Multiple choice quiz
Online multiple choice quiz
15% Multiple weeks 5 questions per quiz
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO4 LO3
Placement hurdle task Clinical placement (off campus)
Clinical placement evaluation
0% Multiple weeks 80 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Educational powerpoint presentation
Educational Powerpoint presentation with note pages view
40% Week 08
Due date: 05 Oct 2020 at 23:59
12 slides with note pages 150-200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task Clinical performance appraisal (on campus)
Clinical skills evaluation
0% Week 10 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Educational Powerpoint presentation with note pages view: You are required to develop an educational powerpoint presentation with note pages view to communicate information to Registered Nurses working with you on a surgical ward. You will need to seek evidence from sources such as research papers, systematic reviews, scholarly articles, textbooks, and medical-health related websites to ensure comprehensive evidence-based support for your topic. (note pages view should be between 150- 200 words per slide). You may choose from a number of topics (see topic selection below).

    The presentation must include the following:

  • Introduction – establish the significance/rationale for the presentation
  • Learning outcomes
  • Educational content supported with evidence-based information in note pages view and photographs/diagrams to enhance the presentation
  • Conclusion
  • Reference list
  • Each presentation will be assessed on the quality of the information presented as well as visual literacy (ability to attract the reader’s attention, convey information and generate discussion). A marking rubric will be provided on NURS 1008 CANVAS site to guide the formatting and support the content as outlined above. The presentation is to be succinct and referenced using APA 6th ed. The presentation is for submission only and will not be presented in class.

     Topics: choose from one (1) of the following topics:

  • Postoperative management of pain and discomfort
  • Potential for alteration in respiratory function postoperatively
  • Potential for wound infection in the patient undergoing open heart surgery
  • Pre-operative patient education for a patient undergoing cardiac surgery
  • Transition of care for a patient post cardiac surgery
  • Medication safety

Online multiple choice quiz: Tutorial and lecture content weeks 3, 5, 7 in tutorial session. Quiz prior to clinical simulation lab weeks 2, 3, 5, 6 & 8.

  • Written examination: The goal of this assessment is to demonstrate, in writing, an understanding of the evidence base for various aspects of care of the person with an acute disruption in health. This assessment is related to all areas of content covered in this unit of study.
  • Clinical medication calculation assessment: The goal of this assessment is for students to demonstrate the ability to correctly calculate medication dosages.
  • Clinical performance appraisal (on campus): During the assessment, students will be required to respond appropriately to a patient scenario by demonstrating the appropriate nursing practice developed and practised throughout the semester, as well as those learned throughout previous nursing practice units.
  • Clinical placement (off campus): Students will be assessed on their performance during clinical experience weeks.

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Clinical placement Clinical practice (80 hr)  
Week 01 1. Introduction to unit of study; 2. Introduction to medication administration Lecture (2 hr)  
1. Introduction to medication administration; 2. Medication calculations Tutorial (2 hr)  
Administration of oral medications Science laboratory (2 hr)  
Week 02 1. Consent to treatment; 2. Introduction to surgical interventions: roles of perioperative nurse Lecture (2 hr)  
Administration of scheduled medications: eye/ear/topical medications Science laboratory (2 hr)  
Week 03 1. Caring for different patient groups; 2. Intraoperative care and patient safety Lecture (2 hr)  
Preoperative assessment and preparation Tutorial (2 hr)  
Intravenous fluid administration Science laboratory (2 hr)  
Week 04 Respiratory management of the surgical patient Lecture (2 hr)  
Preoperative care simulation Science laboratory (2 hr)  
Week 05 1. Nursing care of the cardiac surgical patient; Lecture (2 hr)  
Postoperative assessment and care: IVF, IDC, oxygen and breathing exercises Tutorial (2 hr)  
1. Hand washing (surgical/non-surgical); 2. Gowns and gloving Science laboratory (2 hr)  
Week 06 1. Wound management; 2. Patient education Lecture (2 hr)  
Aseptic technique Science laboratory (2 hr)  
Week 07 1. Acute pain management; 2. Postoperative care Lecture (2 hr)  
Postoperative and management Tutorial (2 hr)  
Postoperative care Science laboratory (2 hr)  
Week 08 1. Death and dying; 2. Transition of Care Lecture (2 hr)  
Removal of sutures and clips Science laboratory (2 hr)  
Week 09 Medical assessment and revision Tutorial (2 hr)  
Simulation exercise Science laboratory (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Students undertaking this unit of study are required to attend 90% of all lectures and tutorials, and 100% of all clinical simulation labs and off campus clinical, which are supplemented with online and group activities. These clinical hours must be reported to the Nurses and Midwives Board of NSW as a requirement for registration on completion of the nursing program.
  • Referencing guide: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 6th Edition, 2010 as its official referencing style.  This is an author-date style of referencing.

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.

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.

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

  • LO1. demonstrate safe and efficient performance of nursing practice activities associated with a variety of common acute disruptions to health in simulated and clinical settings
  • LO2. use the professional language associated with a variety of common acute disruptions to health and be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals
  • LO3. demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge related to the nursing processes of care in adults and the elderly experiencing an acute disruption to health
  • LO4. demonstrate an ability to critically analyse research-based evidence related to the processes of nursing care for persons undergoing a perioperative experience
  • LO5. integrate and apply the legal principles that underpin the administration of medications across clinical practice settings.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

Evaluations to unit of study have been reviewed and minor changes to assessment type have been made.

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.