Outline

Overview

This unit of study focuses on the meaning and management of life-limiting illness, palliation and end-of-life care. Recognising that palliative care is a concept of care that is relevant in many different healthcare contexts, students undertaking this unit will examine the use of a palliative approach together with end-of-life care, in the community and across a variety of healthcare settings. A lifespan approach with an emphasis on person-centred care and the importance of effective communication in managing life-limiting conditions will be used, and the notion of dignity as a core component of the nurse’s therapeutic relationship with patients and their families explored. The most common life-limiting conditions will be identified and evidence-based best practice guidelines for palliation and symptom management used both nationally and internationally will be examined. The role nurses play as members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team delivering person-centred care, and their relationships with patients, families as partners in care will also be addressed in this unit. Students will also explore the concepts of dying, death, loss, grief and bereavement from different cultural and social perspective.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	NURS3012
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	Jay Balante, jay.balante@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Mary Kearns, mary.kearns@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Online task	Assessment 1 MCQ Ten multiple choice questions. 5% per quiz x5.	25%	Multiple weeks	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 2B:End of Life Interventions essay Short essay	20%	STUVAC Due date: 05 Jun 2022 at 23:59	Maximum 1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 2A: Symptom Assessment & Management Essay Essay.	35%	Week 05 Due date: 27 Mar 2022 at 23:59	1800 words
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 3A: Cultural Diversity Presentation Oral presentation during tutorial. PDF copy by Sun 3 April 23:59.	15%	Week 07	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Assessment 3B : SRES Self/Peer evaluation Anonymous evaluation	5%	Week 08 Closing date: 17 Apr 2022	10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1- The MCQs contain ten (10) questions addressing material that has been covered in lectures, tutorials and/or weekly readings. Each quiz will be conducted online post-lectue and will be opened for students to complete within 106 hours (Wednesday 10:00 until Sunday 23:59 each week). Each student will complete the quiz individually online. MCQs conducted Week 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8.

Assessment 2A & B- Assessment 2A – major individual essay. Improving the quality of life of patients and their families is a central goal of palliative care. This can be achieved by the identification and management of issues (unmet needs), education and referral recommendations. This essay requires students to select ONE case scenario available on NURS3012 Canvas site and to address the specified criteria outlined. Assessment 2B – a short individual essay. Working on the same case scenario you choose for your major essay (2A), you are required to choose two physical issues and critically discuss the pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for the individual now in their terminal phase.

Assessment 3A & B – Assessment 3A Group cultural diversity presentation – completed in tutorial class Week 7. The aim of this activity is to develop an understanding of how culture may shape a patient/ families’ views when faced with a life-limiting condition and their transition towards end of life. In the presentation, students are required to search the literature and consider specific aspects around end of life care for their selected cultural group. Assessment 3B SRES self/peer evaluation – provides an annoymous evaluation of your own contribution to teamwork along with that of your team members in tutorial tasks over the semester. The evaluation will be open for 7 days. If the self and peer assessment has not be completed by the due date, you will receive a mark of zero for this task.

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.

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:

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. Unit of study introduction; 2. Introduction to life-limiting conditions and palliative care: principles, models of care and a global perspective	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	1. Introduction 2. Factors influencing death and dying	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Overview of common life-limiting conditions and illness trajectories	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Person centred care and support	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Symptom assessment and management of life-limiting conditions	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	1.Assessing symptoms and using validated assessment tools; 2. Interdisciplinary approach to care	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	1. Nutrition in palliative care; 2. The role of allied health	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	1. Living with a life-limiting illness; 2. Understanding the impact of care-giving	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Psychological issues and communication	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Ethical dilemmas across a lifespan	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Palliative care for children	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	1. Understanding spiritual needs and assessment; 2. Self-care for health professionals	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	1. Palliative care in the aged care setting; 2. Palliative care in the community setting	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Group Presentations	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	The role of nurses at end-of-life	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 14 (STUVAC)	Loss and grief across different cultures	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney Nursing School Resolutions specifically outline attendance requirements. Resolution 8.2 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. Students must also attend 100% of all clinical simulation laboratories (CSL) and off campus clinical, which are supplemented with online and group activities.
Referencing Style: Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th Edition 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.

Required readings

All readings for NURS3012 unit can be accessed through Reading List 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. demonstrate a broad and coherent understanding of palliative care as an approach for the care of people with life-limiting illness and/or at the end of life.
LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the disease trajectories of common life-limiting illnesses.
LO3. critically analyse evidence- based interventions relevant to the comprehensive care and management of people living with a life limiting illness. This includes people from diverse social and cultural backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
LO4. conduct a systematic health assessment of to identify common symptoms experienced by people with life-limiting conditions and/or at the end of life
LO5. understand the issues associated with the terminal phase of an illness and analyse the clinical evidenced-based strategies commonly used during this time.
LO6. demonstrate an understanding of death, grief and bereavement in different cultural and social contexts.

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 1.3. 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 2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights 2.6. Uses delegation, supervision, coordination, consultation and referrals in professional relationships to achieve improved health outcomes 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
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 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 3.2. Provides the information and education required to enhance people’s control over health 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
	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 1.6. Maintains accurate, comprehensive and timely documentation of assessments, planning, decision- making, actions and evaluations 2.3. Recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life 2.4. Provides support and directs people to resources to optimise health related decisions 3.2. Provides the information and education required to enhance people’s control over health 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
	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 2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights 2.8. Participates in and/or leads collaborative practice 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 6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people 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 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 6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people 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 1.2. 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 2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights 3.3. Uses a lifelong learning approach for continuing professional development of self and others 3.5. Seeks and responds to practice review and feedback 4.2. Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice 5.2. Collaboratively constructs nursing practice plans until contingencies, options priorities, goals, actions, outcomes and timeframes are agreed with the relevant persons 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice 6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation

Nurse practitioner standards for practice -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.1		Statement 1.1: Conducts comprehensive, relevant and holistic health assessment

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
1.5		Uses ethical frameworks 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
2.3		Recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life
2.4		Provides support and directs people to resources to optimise health related decisions
2.5		Advocates on behalf of people in a manner that respects the person’s autonomy and legal capacity
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
3.1		Considers and responds in a timely manner to the health and well being of self and others in relation to the capability for practice
3.2		Provides the information and education required to enhance people’s control over health
3.3		Uses a lifelong learning approach for continuing professional development of self and others
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
4.2		Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice
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
4.4		Assesses the resources available to inform planning.
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
5.5		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
7.3		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.

Lectures have been revised and now "chunked" into smaller viewing times to make revision easier.

Additional information

Sensitive materials in teaching: Please note that in this Unit of Study sensitive and potentially distressing or disturbing content will be presented and/or discussed from time to time. This may include reference to for example, death and dying or culturally sensitive issues (decision-making processes, communication patterns, preference for care). These topics are relevant to your learning in this unit of study 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.

Work, health and safety

There is no specific WHS requirements for this unit.

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

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

NURS3012: Life-Limiting Conditions and Palliation

Semester 1, 2022 [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

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect