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Unit of study_

NURS5082: Developing Nursing Practice

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Westmead, Sydney

This unit of study complements NURS5081Introduction to Nursing Practice and further develops the understanding of clinical judgement in practice and the role of nurses in providing comprehensive care to those experiencing hospitalisation. This includes but is not limited to: maintenance of appropriate fluid status, preventing and controlling healthcare associated infection control, quality use of oral medications, effective levels of oxygenation and pain management. This knowledge will be extended to incorporate the experience of caring for patients when the body fails to function as expected, and particularly where surgery is required. Students undertaking this unit of study will further develop skills in physical assessment, communication, and documentation and will be introduced to safe medication administration. All learning experiences focus on providing effective and safe care to people from diverse cultural and social population groups. Unit content is underpinned by the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (ACSQHC, 2011).

Unit details and rules

Unit code NURS5082
Academic unit Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
NURS5081
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Carolyn Hayes, c.hayes@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Carolyn Hayes, c.hayes@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Online Exam
Online Exam
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO8
Placement hurdle task Off-campus clinical performance
n/a
0% Multiple weeks Two weeks (80 hours)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO5 LO4 LO2
Assignment Case study
n/a
50% Week 08
Due date: 02 May 2020 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task CPA
n/a
0% Week 11 35 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Case study: The goal of the assignment is to demonstrate, in writing, an understanding of the priorities in caring for a patient
    through their surgical journey, and the ability to underpin that understanding with current research evidence.
  • Online Exam: The goal of this assessment is to demonstrate, in writing, an understanding of the evidence base for various aspects of perioperative nursing practice. This assessment is related to all areas of content covered in this unit of study. The two-hour examination in this unit of study is based on case study scenarios and is a mixture of short and longer answer questions exploring knowledge related to the concepts explored in Developing Nursing Practice.
  • Clinical Performance Appraisal (CPA): Students will be required to respond appropriately to several patient scenarios by demonstrating the appropriate nursing practices developed and practised throughout the semester as well as those learned throughout previous nursing practice units. Students who do not demonstrate competency in the performance of the critical elements for a designated number of skills in this assessment will be offered the opportunity for reassessment.
  • Off-campus clinical performance: Performance appraisal during clinical weeks for this unit of study will attract a satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade. Obtaining a satisfactory grade in clinical performance is a requirement for successful completion of this unit of study.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week -01 Introduction to the unit of study and Introduction to Pre-op care Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 01 The medico-legal aspects of consent and documentation Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Communication and undertaking pre-operative assessment Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO8
Pre-operative assessment and patient education Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO8
Week 02 Hospital acquired infections and their prevention Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Introduction to aseptic technique –basic wound dressings Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Introduction to medication administration Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Medication calculations Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Medication administration skill practice Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Intra-operative and recovery and O2 therapy Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Manual handling of the unconscious patient Oxygen administration Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Post-operative care and Pain management Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO8
PCA, epidurals, S4 & 8 medication administration Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Caring for the patient requiring pain relief Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8
Week 06 Fluid balance and IV fluids Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
IV fluid administration Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Surgical wounds, wound care and healing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
First nations considerations for the surgical patient Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO8
Wound assessment and Removal of sutures and staples Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Surgical issues across the lifespan Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO8
Caring for the patient across the lifespan Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO8
Week 09 Care of the patient in their final stages of life and The role of the nurse in a coroner’s case Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO8
Preparation for clinical placement Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO8
Care of the body after death Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Care of the patient prior to discharge Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Patient Discharge Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO8
Week 11 CPA’s Simulation laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Clinical Practicum Clinical practice (40 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Week 13 Clinical Practicum Clinical practice (40 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

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

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

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

  • LO1. Understand the underlying principles of comprehensive care for a surgical patient in order to perform clinical skills within this context
  • LO2. Critically analyse and apply evidence informed by research to the practice of caring for the surgical patient.
  • LO3. Apply the Practice Thinking Framework within the context of the surgical patient to guide practice thinking and judgement.
  • LO4. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of legal guidelines relevant to quality use of medicines, patient confidentiality, consent and documentation applicable to patient encounters during the peri-operative experience.
  • LO5. Rehearse and refine core verbal and non-verbal communication skills for use with patients and other health professionals.
  • LO6. Utilise case study methodology to develop critical thinking and problem- solving skills.
  • LO7. Demonstrate satisfactory achievement in a professional experience placement undertaken in the surgical setting (as outlined in the UoS specific Clinical Record Log Book).
  • LO8. Demonstrate and critically reflect upon professional behaviours within a developing professional identity through safe ethical nursing practice for people from diverse social and cultural groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.