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Unit of study_

NURS3016: Professional Practice - (BN[AS])

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

This unit of study provides students with an opportunity to focus on a clinical area of interest, consolidate prior learning, and develop their knowledge base and nursing practice expertise. Students will be able to choose from a number of clinical areas such as aged care, palliative care, mental health, perioperative, high acuity, and paediatrics. A person-centred approach within the Framework for Practice Thinking will be used to guide the teaching and learning strategies. Using patient based scenarios the essentials of care methodology will be explored. The unit will also address student's preparation for making the transition into the workforce by examining professional standards including codes of professional conduct and ethics, standards for registered nurses, enrolled nurses, midwives and nurse practitioners, professional boundaries, legal frameworks for practice and decision making frameworks.

Unit details and rules

Unit code NURS3016
Academic unit Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
48 Year 1 credit points and 36 Year 2 credit points (including NURS2006 and NURS2007 and NURS2002 and NURS3007 and NURS3010)
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rochelle Einboden, rochelle.einboden@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Rochelle Einboden, rochelle.einboden@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Belinda Clough, belinda.clough@sydney.edu.au
Louise Sheehy, louise.sheehy@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Placement hurdle task Off-campus: clinical placement
Clinical placement
0% Multiple weeks 120 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Critical Review Report
Written Assessment
40% Week 04
Due date: 28 Aug 2020 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Assignment group assignment Practical Assessment A) Simulation Preparation & Plan
Written Care Plan
0% Week 09
Due date: 09 Oct 2020 at 23:59
Use template - as needed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Skills-based evaluation group assignment Practical Assessment B) Simulation Practice
Practical Skills
0% Week 10 10 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Practical Assessment C) Simulation Reflection
Written Reflection
20% Week 10
Due date: 18 Oct 2020 at 23:59
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Assignment Professional Portfolio & Five-Year Development Plan
Portfolio, Concept Map, Written Summary
40% Week 13
Due date: 15 Nov 2020 at 23:59
Concept Map A4x1, Summary 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1: Critical Review Report  This assessment offers an opportunity for students to critically review one coroner’s report of a clinical incident related to their speciality of interest (see canvas for a choice of reports), incident reporting processes, and explore the factors that contributed to the event within their specialty area of practice. The aim of this assessment is to promote safe practice through expanding students’ knowledge and critical thinking, and by encouraging students to be autonomous, safe and accountable within their own nursing practice.

Assessment 2: Simulation Preparation, Practice & Reflection Part A) Students will work collaboratively in their allocated small groups to prepare for a simulation activity that they will undertake in their Laboratory Session in Week 10. Students will apply clinical knowledge and reasoning to prepare to assess, identify problems, prioritise interventions with rationales, and plan an evaluation of their approach to management of the care of a client in the case scenario provided. As a group, students will develop and submit their plan of care to the canvas dropbox prior to their Week 10 Laboratory Session.  Part B) This assessment will occur during regular Laboratory Session time in Week 10 and start with a group pre-simulation briefing and close with a group post-simulation briefing. In their allocated small groups, students will engage in a 10-minute active simulation experience using the high-fidelity mannequin to enact the care they had planned for the client in the case scenario (provided in week 9), prior to the laboratory session. Students will need to demonstrate a systematic approach to assessment, identification of problems, administration of interventions, and evaluation of their care. Students are also expected to demonstrate a professional collaborative approach, effective communication, safe care and management for the client in the case scenario. They are required to articulate their clinical reasoning throughout the management of the client in the case scenario. Part C) This 500-word written reflection will offer students an opportunity to critically reflect on their simulation preparation and practice in the Week 10 Laboratory session. The aim of this assessment is to encourage reflective practice and self-awareness, and support students to critically reflect on the demonstrated strengths and challenges experienced in the simulation practice. Using one of the reflection framework structures as a guide (see canvas), students will individually write a reflection on their experience in the small group simulation practice laboratory assessment. Students will reflect on their demonstration of: clinical and professional knowledge; quality and success of their preparation and care planning (e.g. prioritisation); professional behaviour, including communication and collaboration amongst the team; strengths and ability to manage challenges; quality and safety of the care they provided. From this discussion, students will identify their key learnings from the laboratory session that will support them in their clinical practice placement.

Assessment 3: Clinical Practice Placement The clinical placement duration for unit NURS3016 is 120 hours. The clinical performance of students will be assessed using a structured tool based on the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards and graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory.

Assessment 4: Professional Portfolio & Five-Year Development Plan The purpose of this assessment is to offer students, as they finish their course and transition to autonomous practice as a Registered Nurse, the opportunity to reflect on their learning, current levels of knowledge, skill and judgment in relation to their professional nursing practice. It also supports students to identify an area of nursing they are seeking to pursue and a target role attainable in 5 years (this could include the areas of research, education, management, or clinical nursing). Once they have identified this role, they need to develop and compile a Professional Portfolio with an organising framework that relates to their target role. Next, students will plan areas for professional development that support them to attain of their target role, using the format of a Concept Map. Students will also submit a 500-word written summary to accompany the Professional Portfolio & Five-Year Development Plan Concept Map that offers an explanation of the organising framework chosen for their portfolio and their development plan as depicted in their concept map.

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:

As per University Policies.

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 Practice Placement Weeks 11-13 Clinical practice (120 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 01 Introduction to Professional Practice Unit & Exploring Specialties, Roles and Professional Goals Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 02 Professional Responsibilities Part 1: Registration and role of AHPRA & NMBA Part 2: Clinical Reasoning Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 03 Professional Responsibilities Part 3: Ethics and Law & Application - Case Study Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO8 LO10
Professional Responsibilities: Clinical Reasoning, Regulation, Ethics & Law Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 04 Professional Responsibilities Part 4: Cultural Safety Cultural Responsive Health Care & Approaches to Equity Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10
Professional Responsibilities: Ethics & Equity Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Case Scenario: Older Adult with Pneumonia & Sepsis Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 05 Professional Strategies Part 1: The role of the NSWNMA Part 2: Self-Care Lecture (2 hr) LO10 LO11
Professional Strategies: Self-Care, Professional Goals & Choosing a Target Role Tutorial (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO10 LO11
Case Scenario: School-Aged Child with Asthma Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 06 Professional Strategies Part 3: Developing Expertise & Reflective Practice Lecture (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Professional Strategies: Development Planning Tutorial (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO11
Case Scenario: Young Person with First Episode Psychosis Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 07 Professional Strategies Part 4: Concept Maps & Portfolios Lecture (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO10 LO11
Professional Strategies: Using Concept Maps and Portfolio Frameworks Tutorial (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO10 LO11
Case Scenario: Adult with GI Bleeding Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 08 Professional Strategies Part 5: Socialisation to the profession and practice Lecture (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Professional Strategies: Reflective Practice Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
High Fidelity Simulation Case Scenario: Adult with DKA Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
High Fidelity Simulation Case Scenario: Toddler with Croup & Febrile Seizures Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 09 Professional Responsibilities Part 5: Digital Health Online class (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO10
Week 10 Preparation for Clinical Practice & Unit Wrap Up Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Professional Strategies: Socialisation to the profession and practice Tutorial (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance and participation: 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: 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.

Required readings

See Canvas e-reserve

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 an in depth understanding of health assessment in specialty nursing practice based on theoretical, conceptual and practical knowledge competencies
  • LO2. communicate a critical awareness and understanding of the impact of selected health problems on individuals and their family
  • LO3. describe the pathophysiological and psychosocial underpinnings of the clinical specialty
  • LO4. demonstrate the planning, implementation of appropriate interventions for patient/client care; and development of selected clinical skills
  • LO5. integrate knowledge of theory, process and practice within a designated clinical context to effectively prevent and manage common health issues experienced by individuals and their families
  • LO6. discuss relevant trends in nursing practice in a selected clinical specialty environment
  • LO7. critically discuss and review collaborative healthcare strategies related to the specialty area
  • LO8. discuss the Framework for Practice Thinking with respect to professional practice issues by focusing on the questions: So what? and What can be done? and What should be done?
  • LO9. articulate the fundamental aspects of the essentials of care framework as it relates to your chosen clinical area
  • LO10. explore in depth principal legislation and codes of professional conduct and ethics for organising and regulating nurses and other healthcare professionals, including their rights and obligations
  • LO11. critically explore the issues of continuing competence and professional portfolios, life-long learning and currency and recency of practice.

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.

Further integration across lecture, tutorial and laboratory practices sessions, and consolidation of previous learning in the course has guided key changes for 2020.

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.