NURSING 1008 - Professional & Ethical Nursing Practice Considerations

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

The course will complement student learning from Communication and Professional Nursing with integration of knowledge, attitudes and skills required for practice. The principles of professional practice such as autonomy and advocacy will be considered and where possible students will be encouraged to consider their clinical placement experiences against a reflective framework. Students will be introduced to the challenges facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their health care. The factors that need to be considered in caring for people with diverse cultures will also be explored. Students will be exposed to the impact of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATODS) on the Australian population. Students will also begin a comprehensive and integrated approach to the care of people with mental health disorders, a national health priority. Lecture content will be supported with group work exercises and workshops for developing skills in de-escalation and beginning to perform a mental health first aid assessment.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code NURSING 1008
    Course Professional & Ethical Nursing Practice Considerations
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Nursing School
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 5 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Restrictions Bachelor of Nursing
    Assessment Professional Issues Quiz, Group Presentation, Quiz Series x 3, Case Study Analysis
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Ms Sally-Anne Bessell

    Course Coordinator: Pam McCrorie
    Phone: +61 8313 0896
    Email: pam.mccrorie@adelaide.edu.au 
    Location: Adelaide Nursing School - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
    Level 4, Adelaide Health & Medical Sciences Building
    Cnr North Terrace & George Street
    ADELAIDE SA 5005

    School contact:
    Phone: +61 8313 3595
    Email: nursing@adelaide.edu.au 
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Identify the connections between critical thinking, problem-solving and the principles of ethical practice.
    2 Explain the role of reflective practice for health professionals and delevop skills in applying this to adhering to the NMBA standards.
    3 Recognise and discuss the range of ethical and professional issues that affect contemporary nursing practice.
    4 Recognise the impact of nursing on the individual nurse and develop effective strategies towards self-care.
    5 Discuss the range of factors impacting on the health of the wide range of Australian populations and the role of social determinants on this.
    6 Recognise the need for cultural competence and apply nursing practice which incorporates attention to cultural diversity in healthcare
    7 Recognise the diversity of mental health issues and discuss the mental health first aid response to care for affected individuals 
    8 Understand the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in the population and the impact on the health of Australians
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1,2,3

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3,5,6,7,8

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1,2

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1,2,3,5,6

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    5, 6, 8

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    2

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Brown, D, Edwards, H, Seaton, L & Buckley, T (eds) 2015, Lewis's medical-surgical nursing: assessment and management of clinical problems, 4th Australia and New Zealand edn, Elsevier, Chatswood
    Crisp, J, Douglas, C, Rebeiro, G & Waters, D 2017, Potter and perry's fundamentals of nursing, 5th Australian and New Zealand edn, Elsevier, Chatswood
    Daly, J, Speedy, S & Jackson, D 2017, Contexts of nursing: an introduction, 5th Edition, Elsevier Australia
    Online Learning
    Some reading materials and course content will be provided through the Canvas Learning Platform via MyUni and assessments will be submitted through the appropriate portal point on MyUni.

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    On Line lectures – The Lectures will introduce important relevant theories and concepts.  Much of the content for this course is supported by textbooks with web page and e-learning supports. The Adelaide Nursing School supports the audio and video capture of lecture content as an aid to revision.

    Interactive tutorials –
     The essential nature of teamwork and communication in nursing and health care is emphasised through interactive tutorials. The four key tutorial sessions will enable students to explore ethical dilemmas/legal issues relevant to professional practice. 
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Non contact hours for lecture and tutorial preparation and completion of assessment tasks will be 5 hours per week
    The workload for this course requires attendance at:
    • Four x 2 hour tutorial sessions
    Learning Activities Summary
    The content below is a guide for the lecture and tutorial outlines to be covered in Professional & Ethical Nursing Practice Considerations:

    • Reflective Practice Applied to Self-Development
    • Critical Thinking Applied to Clinical Decisions
    • Ethical issues in healthcare relevant to nursing
    • The ICN Code of Ethics
    • Ethical Principles and Clinical Practice
    • The Ethics Committee in Healthcare
    • Communication Principles for Specific Groups and Difficult Situations
    • Nursing in Multi-Cultural Australia
    • Social Determinants of Health
    • Impacts on Aboriginal Culture and Wellbeing & Aboriginal Healthcare issues
    • Introduction to Mental Health & Mental Health Assessment
    • Impacts of ATOD’s and Associated Issues for Health
    Specific Course Requirements
    Students are reminded to discuss issues with sensitivity and discretion.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Assessment Type Weighting Learning Outcomes Addressed
    Professional Issues Quiz Formative (200 word equivalent) 0% 2,3
    Group Presentation Summative (800 word equivalent) 30% 1,2,3,5,7,8
    Quiz Series x 3 Summative (750 word equivalent) 30% 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    Case Study Analysis Summative (2000 word equivalent) 40% 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Tutorials
    There will be four (4) Compulsory Tutorial session for each student this semester. Allocation into the Tutorial groups will occur at the beginning of the semester by the Course Coordinator and attendance at all allocated tutorial sessions is compulsory to give students the best possible opportunity to achieve success in all their assessment items.
    Assessment Detail
    ASSESSMENT 1:  FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT: Pre-Quiz
    Students are required to successfully complete a quiz revising the professional issues identifed during Communication & Professional Nursing in Semester 1 that will be relevant when discussing ethical situations during this course.

    ASSESSMENT 2: GROUP PRESENTATION
    Students will work in groups and critically explore ethical issues that arise in healthcare that are relevant to nurses

    ASSESSMENT 3: QUIZ SERIES
    Students will complete three timed quizzes during the course.  Quizzes are related to weekly content.

    ASSESSMENT 4: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
    Students will be required to use a decision making framework to critically analyse a case study in relation to ethical/professional issues.
    Submission
    Unless otherwise indicated all submission of assignments is to be through MyUni. TurnItin will be used to check student assignments. TurnItin will be used to check student assignments. Students MUST keep an electronic copy of all assignments submitted.

    Extensions are generally awarded for no more than 10 working days unless there are exceptional circumstances.
    To apply for an Assessment Extension, a student must submit an application for extension form prior to the assessment deadline. 

    See the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/3303/
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

    Past Selt feedback has resulted in the restructure of tutorials for Professional & Ethical Nursing Practice Considerations. Firstly they were made to be longer so more activities can be undertaken and secondly the number of students in each session was reduced to promote better interaction. Another change instigated along with this restructure was a smaller venue with materials available to interactive group work which again allowed group activities and open discussion that had previously be difficult to manage in a larger lecture hall. The restructure provided an opportunity to introduce preparation work that would clarify objectives for the course assessments.

    Feedback from subsequent Selts indicated the success of the smaller groups, and highlighted the benefit of the preparation activities, but it also highlighted the need regarding clarification of technology used within the course to assist learning. This resulted in guides being developed for new technology with step by step instructions for students to refer to throughout the semester. A series of modified assessment tasks that allowed more guidance and feedback prior to the major assessment were also developed.
  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.