Outline

Overview

This unit of study introduces students to the concept of critical care nursing and the impact critical illness has on those close to the ill, injured or recovering person. Critical care nurses are often required to function in an environment that is high stress and to provide care for patients whose clinical instability is often life threatening. Whilst focusing on the adult patient who is critically unstable, this unit concentrates on efficient nursing assessment, diagnosis and nursing interventions required as well as the importance of an interdisciplinary approach for comprehensive care. Documentation and communication for safety are essential elements that will be a focus of this unit. Clinical application of theoretical content will include pathophysiology, pharmacology and management modalities. As the critical care environment contains many forms of technology that aid the care of these patient, this unit will explore the role of digital health technology in the continuous monitoring of critical care patients, recognising and responding to acute deterioration, and the importance of using assessment data to guide ongoing care planning.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	NURS3007
Academic unit	Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	48 credit points of 1000 level units and 36 credit points of 2000 level units including NURS2011 or NURS3010
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Dawn Perez, dawn.perez@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Thomas Hicks, tom.hicks@sydney.edu.au
	Belinda Clough, belinda.clough@sydney.edu.au
	Elizabeth Leonard, elizabeth.leonard@sydney.edu.au
	Ebon Smith, ebon.smith@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Assessment 3: Final exam Short and long answer questions. (Pen & paper exam)	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Placement	Assessment 4: Off-campus clinical placement Clinical placement	0%	Multiple weeks	80 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 1: Case study Essay: Case Study.	40%	Week 06 Due date: 06 Sep 2023 at 23:59	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 2: Critical reflection of High-Fidelity Simulation Critical reflection	20%	Week 09 Due date: 04 Oct 2023 at 23:59	600 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1: Case study focusses on the nursing assessment and interventions needed for a deteriorating patient to prevent further deterioration.

Assessment 2: Critical Reflection of High Fidelity Simulation

Assessment 3: Final exam. Short and long answer questions. To be held in exam week.

Assessment 4: Off campus clinical placement. 80 hours.

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	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late penalites ar calculate as a percentage of the total available mark. For each day up to 14 days, 5% will be deducted. For assignments submitted more than 14 days late 100% will be deducted from the mark and the student will be awarded 0.

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
Multiple weeks	Clinical placement	Clinical practice (80 hr)
Week 01	1. Welcome and introduction to unit; 2. Introduction to critical care nursing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Patient scenario 1 -revision of multiple skills	Simulation laboratory (2 hr)
Week 02	Airway management in critical care	Lecture (2 hr)
	Airway management and complex lines	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Complex airway management skills	Simulation laboratory (2 hr)
Week 03	Advanced cardiac life support	Lecture (2 hr)
	Cardiac rhythms and ACLS	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Introduction to Advanced Cardiac Life Support and post-resuscitation care	Simulation laboratory (2 hr)
Week 04	Neurological trauma	Lecture (2 hr)
	Neurological trauma	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Blood transfusions and complex lines	Simulation laboratory (2 hr)
Week 05	Traumatic injury and trauma nursing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Traumatic injury and trauma nursing	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	The deteriorating patient and sepsis	Lecture (2 hr)
	The deteriorating patient and sepsis	Tutorial (2 hr)
	High-Fidelity Simulation - Advanced Cardiac Life Support	Simulation laboratory (3 hr)
Week 07	Caring for patients with burns injuries	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Caring for patients with burns injuries	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Part 1 Introduction to invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation Part 2 Triage	Lecture (2 hr)
	Content revision	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Caring for patients requiring invasive and non-invasive ventilation	Simulation laboratory (2 hr)
Week 09	Revision of content and exam preparation	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

There are no specific prescribed readings for this unit that are not already listed in eReserve.

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

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.

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

LO1. conduct systematic patient assessments to recognise changes in pathophysiological observations and acute deterioration in critically ill patients enabling appropriate responses.
LO2. plan and deliver appropriate and comprehensive nursing interventions for critically ill patients within the scope of practice.
LO3. explore the interface between nursing, medical, diagnostic, and pharmacological management of the critically ill patient across the lifespan.
LO4. demonstrate an understanding of the importance of effective inter-professional collaboration and communication for the provision of safe, comprehensive care for critically ill patients.
LO5. critically analyse the influence of clinical governance and professional, legal and ethical issues on patient safety, cost-effectiveness of care, resource management and decision-making within critical care settings.
LO6. apply the key questions from the Framework for Practice Thinking with respect to the critical care environment.
LO7. demonstrate satisfactory achievement in a professional experience placement undertaken in the high acuity setting.

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice 1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions 1.6. Maintains accurate, comprehensive and timely documentation of assessments, planning, decision- making, actions and evaluations 2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights 4.1. Conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate 4.2. Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice 5.1. Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan 5.3. Documents, evaluates and modifies plans accordingly to facilitate the agreed outcomes 5.4. Plans and negotiates how practice will be evaluated and the time frame of engagement 6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice 6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation 7.1. Evaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes 7.3. Determines, documents and communicates further priorities, goals and outcomes with the relevant persons
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice 1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures 1.6. Maintains accurate, comprehensive and timely documentation of assessments, planning, decision- making, actions and evaluations 2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights 3.5. Seeks and responds to practice review and feedback 3.7. Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people 4.1. Conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate 5.1. Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan 6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice 7.1. Evaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes 7.3. Determines, documents and communicates further priorities, goals and outcomes with the relevant persons
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions 1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions 2.1. Establishes, sustains and concludes relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships 2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights 2.7. Actively fosters a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports person- centered care 2.8. Participates in and/or leads collaborative practice 3.2. Provides the information and education required to enhance people’s control over health 3.5. Seeks and responds to practice review and feedback 3.6. Actively engages with the profession 5.1. Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice 7.1. Evaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures 1.6. Maintains accurate, comprehensive and timely documentation of assessments, planning, decision- making, actions and evaluations 2.1. Establishes, sustains and concludes relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships 3.5. Seeks and responds to practice review and feedback 4.1. Conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate 4.2. Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice 5.1. Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan 5.2. Collaboratively constructs nursing practice plans until contingencies, options priorities, goals, actions, outcomes and timeframes are agreed with the relevant persons 5.3. Documents, evaluates and modifies plans accordingly to facilitate the agreed outcomes 6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice 7.1. Evaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes 7.2. Revises the plan based on the evaluation 7.3. Determines, documents and communicates further priorities, goals and outcomes with the relevant persons
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions 1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions 1.7. Contributes to quality improvement and relevant research 2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights 3.4. Accepts accountability for decisions, actions, behaviours and responsibilities inherent in their role, and for the actions of others to whom they have delegated responsibilities 3.5. Seeks and responds to practice review and feedback 4.1. Conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate 4.3. Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and well being of people and populations to determine priorities for action and/or for referral 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice 6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions 1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions 2.1. Establishes, sustains and concludes relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships 2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights 2.5. Advocates on behalf of people in a manner that respects the person’s autonomy and legal capacity 3.5. Seeks and responds to practice review and feedback 5.3. Documents, evaluates and modifies plans accordingly to facilitate the agreed outcomes 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice 1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions 1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions 2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights 2.3. Recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice 6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation

Registered Nurses Standards for Practice -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.1		Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice
1.2		Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice
1.3		Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures
1.4		Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions
1.6		Maintains accurate, comprehensive and timely documentation of assessments, planning, decision- making, actions and evaluations
2.2		Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights
3.4		Accepts accountability for decisions, actions, behaviours and responsibilities inherent in their role, and for the actions of others to whom they have delegated responsibilities
3.5		Seeks and responds to practice review and feedback
3.6		Actively engages with the profession
3.7		Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people
4.1		Conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate
4.2		Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice
5.1		Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan
5.2		Collaboratively constructs nursing practice plans until contingencies, options priorities, goals, actions, outcomes and timeframes are agreed with the relevant persons
5.3		Documents, evaluates and modifies plans accordingly to facilitate the agreed outcomes
5.4		Plans and negotiates how practice will be evaluated and the time frame of engagement
5.5		Coordinates resources effectively and efficiently for planned actions
6.1		Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people
6.2		Practises within their scope of practice
6.5		Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation
6.6		Uses the appropriate processes to identify and report potential and actual risk related system issues and where practice may be below the expected standards
7.1		Evaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes
7.2		Revises the plan based on the evaluation
7.3		Determines, documents and communicates further priorities, goals and outcomes with the relevant persons

Responding to student feedback

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

Last year there were only two written assessments tasks, each with a weighting of 50%. An additional assessment task has been added to reduce the weighting of each written assessment task. Assessment 1: Case study 2000 words weighted at 40% Assessment 2: Critical reflection 600 words weighted at 20% Assessment 3: Written exam 2 hours weighted at 40%

Additional information

This unit of study may require you to attend a teaching activity timetabled in teaching venues installed with the University’s Clinical Recording and Observation System (CROS) in the Susan Wakil Health Building. Students should be aware of the privacy and information management implications of this system. For more information, please refer to the University’s Privacy Statement.

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.

Faculty of Medicine and Health Handbook

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

Alignment with Competency standards

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

NURS3007: Nursing the Critically Ill Person

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect