NUR5031 - Medical surgical nursing 1

The overview and learning outcomes for this unit were changed.  The previously published overview and learning outcomes below apply to First semester students.

Overview

Medical surgical nursing requires specialised skills and understanding of pathophysiology, assessment and management of patient care. This unit provides an introduction to advanced medical surgical nursing principles and practice.
You will develop skills to care for medical surgical patients using a patient centred approach. Through your study and development of communication skills you will support patients and consumers to participate in their care.
Key factors associated with managing and providing evidence-based care to medical surgical patients across their journey from initial presentation to recovery will be explored.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Critically analyse and apply the principles of systematic patient assessment using applied knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.
2. Evaluate patient assessment findings and prioritise appropriate, age specific, culturally appropriate therapeutic interventions for patients experiencing complex medical surgical conditions.
3. Critically evaluate clinical information to differentiate the underlying pathophysiological processes, aetiology and clinical manifestations related to chronic and complex disease presentations.
4. Evaluate evidence-based pharmacological interventions to achieve safe outcomes for patients across a range of complex disease states.
5. Apply advanced clinical decision making in the formulation and prioritisation of person-centred, evidence-based management of the medical surgical patient with complex healthcare needs
6. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of care and management delivered to the medical surgical patient with complex healthcare needs.
7. Utilise the National Safety and Quality and Health Service Standards (NSQHS) principles to develop strategies aimed at improving the safety and quality of care in medical-surgical environments.
8. Implement high level communication skills respectful of age, gender, social determinants of health and family dynamics to empower patients/consumers to participate in effective and holistic care.
9. Develop and apply effective clinical leadership strategies in the medical surgical healthcare setting.

NUR5111 - Contemporary nursing practice 1

The overview and learning outcomes for this unit were changed.  The previously published overview and learning outcomes below apply to First semester students.

Overview

This unit is the first of four practice units in the graduate entry Master of Nursing Practice. The unit will provide you with foundation knowledge and skills for nursing practice with an emphasis on physical health assessment. Knowledge and nursing practice skills are introduced around case scenarios.

Each case will use an individualised client centred approach. Content to be covered within each scenario will include physiology, introductory pharmacology, application of the legal and ethical dimensions of care and nursing skills development.

Clinical practice experience is an integral component of this unit and concentrates on the attainment of fundamental client care.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Apply anatomical and physiological principles to the outcomes of patient assessment and care planning process
2. Integrate theory, clinical problem solving, communication and decision making skills to systematically assess a patient in the acute clinical setting
3. Accurately perform comprehensive health and physical assessment skills in simulated and clinical practice environments
4. Plan and evaluate patient assessment data across the lifespan, using clinical problem solving and decision-making processes to justify care interventions in acute settings
5. Plan, implement and evaluate nursing care using a person-centred approach
6. Apply the principles of pharmacology to therapeutic drug administration and monitoring to ensure medication safety
7. Analyse and apply the legal and professional nursing requirements associated with quality use of medications
8. Perform fundamental nursing care skills to maintain and ensure patient safety using an evidence-based and professional approach in the clinical environment
9. Identify the core principles of palliative care and the resources available for people with life limiting illness
10. Demonstrate practice at a beginning level in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Registered nurse standards for practice, Code of conduct for nurses and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Code of ethics for nurses.

NUR5323 - Specialty cardiac nursing

The overview and learning outcomes for this unit were changed.  The previously published overview and learning outcomes below apply to First semester students.

Overview

This unit introduces you to specialty cardiac nursing. Nurses working in coronary care and cardiothoracic care require specific cardiac knowledge to support quality patient outcomes. Nurses in coronary care and cardiothoracic care units lead cardiac nursing interventions, support multidisciplinary team functioning, and engage the patient and their significant others in their health education. These functions require sufficient knowledge of the pathophysiology of cardiac conditions to be able to provide advanced nursing practice and care to patients. Patients with coronary care and cardiothoracic care needs have diverse presentations ranging from uncomplicated stable conditions to being acutely and critically ill requiring life-saving interventions.

In this unit, you will explore nursing in coronary care and cardiothoracic care, in particular patient assessment in relation to a range of cardiac conditions and health states, provision of advanced nursing practice, leadership and managing patient transitions.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Apply advanced nursing practice knowledge to the role and work of the specialist cardiac nurse.
2. Discuss the pathophysiology associated with complex specialist cardiac conditions.
3. Critically analyse patient assessment finding and apply appropriate therapeutic interventions to the context of specialist cardiac nursing care.
4. Plan the nursing management of a patient with cardiac and cardiothoracic conditions.
5. Review and critique the evidence-based practice underpinning selected specialist cardiac conditions.

NUR5711 - Perioperative nursing 2

The overview and learning outcomes for this unit were changed.  The previously published overview and learning outcomes below apply to First semester students.

Overview

This unit builds on concepts and content from NUR5710 Perioperative Nursing 1 to enable you to develop knowledge and skills related to specific speciality areas and advanced practice roles within the perioperative setting. Surgical specialty areas studied include orthopaedics, neurosurgery, trauma, vascular and cardiothoracic surgery. You will explore the complex care required in special populations that present to the perioperative setting (for example obstetrics, elderly, paediatric and bariatric patients). This unit will prepare you to engage with the interdisciplinary team during advanced perioperative care.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Apply understanding of the anatomy and pathophysiology relevant to surgical specialty areas.
2. Critically analyse perioperative nursing roles relevant to a range of surgical specialty areas.
3. Apply advanced nursing assessment and management to pre-, intra- and post-surgical complications.
4. Plan, prioritise and implement evidence-based care and advanced nursing management for patients in the surgical specialty areas.
5. Explain the complex care requirements for patients and their families with special healthcare needs including obstetrics, elderly, paediatric and bariatric presenting to the perioperative environment.
6. Critically assess and demonstrate interdisciplinary team communication in the surgical specialty areas.
7. Demonstrate advanced problem-solving skills with the interdisciplinary team relevant to surgical specialty areas in perioperative nursing care.
8. Explore the impacts of workplace and system factors on the patient’s perioperative journey from both patient and organisational perspectives.
9. Critically evaluate perioperative nursing care pertaining to surgical specialties from professional, legal and ethical frameworks.
10. Develop the essential elements of leadership for perioperative nursing.

NUR5923 - Intensive care nursing 1

The learning outcomes for this unit were changed.  The previously published learning outcomes below apply to First semester students.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Perform clinically at a minimum required standard, in accordance with the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses' Practice Standards for Specialist Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN, 2015)
2. Analyse and explain the pathophysiological processes underpinning critical illnesses commonly experienced by patients admitted to ICU with actual or potential vital organ dysfunction
3. Implement a structured holistic assessment of an intensive care patient, by using an appropriate assessment framework that includes the initiation of relevant diagnostic tests and critically evaluate the findings to inform your assessment and ongoing patient
4. Plan, prioritise and implement age appropriate, culturally relevant and evidence-based therapeutic interventions for critically ill patients experiencing complex disease states by applying clinical reasoning related to the pathophysiology of their illness
5. Critically evaluate the socio-cultural, legal and ethical issues related to the nursing management of the critically ill patient.
6. Communicate professionally and empathetically with patients, their families and members of the multi-disciplinary team.
7. Identify the needs of the patient's family and significant others in the ICU and plan appropriate nursing interventions to address these needs.
8. Problem solve and manage common technological interventions used to support the critically ill patient with vital organ dysfunction to provide safe, quality care (e.g. mechanical ventilation)
9. Conduct Advanced Life Support underpinned by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC)/ANZCOR guidelines including the safe transport of critically ill patients to other clinical areas.

NUR5924 - Intensive care nursing 2

The learning outcomes for this unit were changed.  The previously published learning outcomes below apply to First semester students.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Perform at a minimum required standard, in accordance with the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses' Practice Standards for Specialist Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN, 2015)
2. Critically analyse the pathophysiological processes underpinning complex disease or injury states
3. Implement a structured and holistic assessment of a complex intensive care patient with multiple organ dysfunction, by applying an appropriate assessment framework and critical evaluation of the findings to inform your assessment
4. Identify, prioritise and implement age-appropriate, culturally relevant therapeutic interventions for patients experiencing complex disease or injury states
5. Apply the core principles of intensive care nursing to specialist patient populations
6. Critically evaluate the continued development of intensive care therapies, analysing contemporary nursing issues, while identifying areas for future research, development, quality improvement and policy
7. Explore socio-cultural, legal and ethical issues associated with the provision of intensive care to patients and their families – such as the provision of end of life care and organ donation in the ICU
8. Critically assess teamwork, leadership and the professional attributes that are essential in the intensive care setting.

NUR5925 - Emergency nursing 1

The learning outcomes for this unit were changed.  The previously published learning outcomes below apply to First semester students.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the pathophysiological processes underpinning complex disease states.
2. Plan and implement appropriate, age specific, culturally relevant, therapeutic interventions for patients experiencing complex disease states.
3. Plan and execute the assessment and management of an adult patient with a complex illness or injury.
4. Articulate and demonstrate the principles used to manage a medical emergency in all age groups within an emergency department.
5. Communicate professionally and with empathy with patients, their families and members of the multi-disciplinary team.
6. Identify the needs of the patient's family and significant others in the emergency department and plan appropriate nursing interventions to address these needs.
7. Explore and evaluate the clinical application of nursing research and theoretical literature to selected problems related to the above groups in emergency care.
8. Identify and critique emergency nursing resources and strategies to respond to mass casualty events.
9. Outline the purpose and scope of the Australasian Triage Scale.

NUR5926 - Emergency nursing 2

The overview and learning outcomes for this unit were changed.  The previously published overview and learning outcomes below apply to First semester students.

Overview

The emergency nurse requires a diverse knowledge and skill base to appropriately and effectively assess and manage patients in the emergency department. This advanced emergency nursing unit will enable the student to develop an understanding of disease processes (pathophysiology), which will underpin the assessment and emergency management of abdominal, neurological and obstetric emergencies, trauma and burns. The unit will prepare the student to provide an advanced level of care to emergency patients across age groups, and from all socio/ cultural and economic groups.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the pathophysiological processes underpinning complex disease or injury states.
2. Critically analyse patient assessment findings and prioritise appropriate, age specific, culturally relevant, therapeutic interventions for patients experiencing complex disease or injury states.
3. Review and critique the evidence underpinning complex patient interventions.
4. Plan and execute the assessment and management of a paediatric patient with a complex illness or injury.
5. Apply age specific principles of ventilation in management of a ventilated patient.
6. Demonstrate and evaluate independent triage practice based on the Australasian Triage Scale.
7. Critically evaluate the care of the patient and family in the provision of end of life care and organ donation in the emergency department.
8. Critically evaluate and apply nursing research to selected emergency patient care.
9. Critically evaluate the socio-cultural, legal and ethical issues related to the nursing management of the critically ill patient.
10. Develop and role model the essential elements of leadership and management for emergency nursing.

PSY5013 - Digital technologies in mental health care

The learning outcomes for this unit were changed.  The previously published learning outcomes below apply to First semester students.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Reflect on global and local frameworks and policies that inform the formulation of digital mental health and wellbeing resources
2. Critically evaluate existing digital mental health and wellbeing technologies in evolving environments
3. Investigate the ethical and practical challenges facing the implementation of digital mental health and wellbeing technology across a range of settings
4. Evaluate the needs of diverse populations to foster equity and inclusion in access to digital mental health and wellbeing technology
5. Examine the broader challenges in the digital mental health and wellbeing landscape

SWM5100 - Orientation to practice

The overview and learning outcomes for this unit were changed.  The previously published overview and learning outcomes below apply to First semester students.

Overview

This foundational unit will facilitate the development of your knowledge and understanding of the breadth of social work practice, including working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, and the constituent elements of social work service delivery.
You will explore the values, ethical and legal principles informing the social work profession and how these are shaped by a human rights and social justice framework, its history and broader socio-political discourses.

The unit will also develop your critical thinking skills through examining core fields of practice, the intersections of law and social work, and the ways in which power and authority operate in human service organisations, including the development of contemporary social policy.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Describe differences and similarities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and both the past and present impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, with focus on intergenerational trauma.
2. Identify and describe core fields of contemporary social work practice including health and mental health, child protection, family violence, working with specific client groups such as individuals living with a disability, the LGBTIQ+ community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
3. Explain the historical and contemporary role of social work across various fields of practice and settings, including the role of the profession in the Stolen Generations.
4. Distinguish between the law, legislation and legal processes which shape the delivery of contemporary social work practice, and the challenges this creates when working across cultures.
5. Differentiate between key legal obligations and social work ethics as articulated within the Australian Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics, and the possible impacts on clients from other cultural groups.

SWM5103 - Supervised professional practice 1

The overview and learning outcomes for this unit were changed.  The previously published overview and learning outcomes below apply to First semester students.

Overview

This unit will facilitate your entry into the social work profession across a range of practice fields.  It comprises a minimum of 500 hours of supervised field education during which time you will observe, practice and critically reflect on the role of social work in a health or human services context.

Using experiences and learnings from the pre-fieldwork units, you will perform a range of social work interventions and assessment within the placement - transitioning from dependent and closely supervised students to assisted or minimally assisted student social workers.

Throughout the placement you will be supported to integrate theoretical knowledge with practice skills and supervised by a qualified and experienced social work Field Educator and an allocated University Liaison Staff Person.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Apply the AASW Code of Ethics to the practice context.
2. Discuss the impact of your personal values and biases in the context of working with individuals, families and communities
3. Critically evaluate relevant theory for practice on placement; demonstrate beginning application of theory to practice.
4. Analyse and apply a range of social work assessment and intervention methods and techniques appropriate to the area of practice
5. Appraise legislative and social policy frameworks that inform the area of practice and/or the organisation.
6. Use knowledge of cultural diversity and apply principles of culturally responsive safe practices
7. Apply appropriate written and verbal engagement skills with clients, staff, and/or relevant stakeholders
8. Use feedback from supervision and critically reflect to improve practice and self-awareness and knowledge acquisition.