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Unit of study_

NURS3019: Complexities of Care

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This final semester unit of study prepares students for the realities of nursing work, focusing on best nursing practice and the decision-making skills required to care for multiple patients with complex care needs. Students will build on and consolidate theoretical and practical knowledge gained from other units in the degree program and will have the opportunity to think critically about the clinical, social and organisational complexities they will face as registered nurses. A critical enquiry approach will be used to identify contextual factors that influence decision making in the context of contemporary practice and health service delivery. Students will explore critical issues and challenges affecting nursing practice and healthcare. These include the rate, pace and scope of change in contemporary health care settings, most common 'ways of working' in nursing today, the challenge of integrating high levels of automation with person centred care, the impact of the digital revolution and emerging artificial intelligence, the complexities of interdisciplinary teamwork in highly charged work environments, the increasing emphasis on patient self-management and associated role of family carers and supporters, and the importance of discharge planning, prioritisation and patient advocacy. Underpinning the unit is a framework that places the patient and their family front and centre whatever the setting, recognising them as partners in care and incorporating appropriate communication, time management and critical reflection strategies.

Unit details and rules

Unit code NURS3019
Academic unit Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
NURS3011
Prerequisites
? 
48 credit points of 1000 level units and 36 credit points of 2000 level units including (NURS3010 or NURS2011) and NURS3008
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sarah Kourouche, sarah.kourouche@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Mary Kearns, mary.kearns@sydney.edu.au
Rhea Soria, rhea.soria@sydney.edu.au
Joseph Weddell, joseph.weddell@sydney.edu.au
Felicity Elias, felicity.elias@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Assessment 1 - Report
Short report based on a case study
40% Week 04
Due date: 28 Aug 2022 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment group assignment Assessment 2: Group - Care of complex patients
written assignment
20% Week 06
Due date: 11 Sep 2022 at 23:59
Multi- components
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Assignment Assessment 3: Reflection
written assessment
40% Week 09
Due date: 09 Oct 2022 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1 - Report: Individual written submission on the socio-economical, structural, contextual, social impacts in healthcare 

Assessment 2 - Care of multiple patients: In this assessment, students are required to work in groups and apply principles of caring for multiple patients in a ward setting. 

Assessment 2 - Reflection: Students are required to submit a written reflection on caring for multiple patients using a reflective framework. 

Please note: Each student is required to submit/attend all assessment items in order 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.

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:

Where an assignment is submitted late without an approved extension, a late penalty will apply. For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero marks 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
Week 01 Intro to unit -Ways of working, critical enquiry, organisational complexity - Nontechnical skills (time management) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
Areas of working (Mini lectures over multiple weeks) Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Non-technical skills Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 02 Patient transfer Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Patient transfer Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Patient transfer Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 03 Disaster management Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Disaster management Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Disaster management Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Rural / remote nursing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Care of multiple patients Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Scenarios -complex care Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 05 Developmental disability Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Care of multiple patients Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Multiple patient load Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 06 Nurse Practitioners Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Care of multiple patients Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Multiple patient load Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 07 Technology in Nursing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Multiple patient load Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Care of multiple patients Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Careers in nursing Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6

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.

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library reading list link available via Canvas.

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. apply previously learned knowledge and skills to the management and coordination of care for patients who have complex health care needs.
  • LO2. recognise the importance of patients as partners in planning, design, delivery, measurement and evaluation of systems and services.
  • LO3. demonstrate an understanding of eHealth for efficient, timely, patient-centred healthcare.
  • LO4. consider the services and support available to the elderly in rural and remote areas of Australia.
  • LO5. demonstrate an awareness of the potential health impacts related to climate change.
  • LO6. demonstrate an awareness of professional, legal and ethical challenges that influence practice and service delivery for patients who have complex health care needs.

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
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
1.7. Contributes to quality improvement and relevant research
2.6. Uses delegation, supervision, coordination, consultation and referrals in professional relationships to achieve improved health outcomes
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
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
6.2. Practises within their scope of practice
LO2
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
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
2.1. 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
2.3. 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
2.6. 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
3.2. Provides the information and education required to enhance people’s control over health
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
3.7. Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people
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
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
7.3. Determines, documents and communicates further priorities, goals and outcomes with the relevant persons
LO3
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
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
2.8. Participates in and/or leads collaborative practice
3.2. Provides the information and education required to enhance people’s control over health
LO4
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
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
2.1. 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
2.3. 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
4.2. Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice
LO5
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
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
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
3.7. Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people
LO6
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
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
6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation

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

The exam has been replaced with a report Changes have been made to the tutorials and labs so they are more coherent

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.  

Work, health and safety

Please adhere to the clinical laboratory guidelines and make sure you have completed the orientation quiz.

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.