NURSING 3011OL - Palliative Care Nursing

Online - Semester 2 - 2015

Caring for a person who is dying can be an extremely complex, though rewarding experience. This course aims to provide the student with a better understanding of palliative care for a range of illness states but with an emphasis on cancer and the rationale for care. To enhance their professional development in this area of health, access to resources designed to support learning for all nurses caring for a dying person irrespective of their practice setting is explored.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code NURSING 3011OL
    Course Palliative Care Nursing
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Nursing School
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s Online
    Units 3
    Contact Online
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Assessment Quiz, power point, paper
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mrs Deidre Wurm

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Describe the history and evolution of different models of palliative care

    2. Identify life limiting illnesses and contrast their trajectories

    3. Examine specific structural and functional changes in cells, tissues and organs function in cases of cancer and chronic illness

    4. Examine life limiting oncological and neurological disease states and appraise their treatment

    5. Summarise the principles of pain and symptom management including psychosocial care

    6. Discuss ethical, spiritual and cultural aspects of palliative nursing, including an indigenous perspective

    7. Demonstrate an understanding of the multidisciplinary team approach to palliative care

    8. Develop essential communication skills for palliative care nursing and outline self-care strategies

    9. Discuss and review grief and loss theories and experiences of people and families with a life limiting illness

    10. Recognise bodily manifestations of dying and discuss care in the last days of life
    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)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. All
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. All
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 6,7,8,9
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 7,8,9,10
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 4,5
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 3,5
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 7,8,9
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 6,7,8
  • Learning Resources
    Online Learning
    Material in this course will be presented online utilising MyUni, Articulate presentations.

    The online delivery mode of the course offers flexibility and enables students to study at their own pace. However, due to the asynchronous nature of the course, it is highly recommended that students are actively participating in course material on a weekly basis so as not to fall behind in coursework. Where required online virtual classroom tutorials will be provided to support student learning.

    To support students in learning content and to clarify any issues regarding assessment a number of face to face sessions will be provided (dates to be advised).

    Blackboard collaborate can be accessed via a computer and there is an application for mobile devices that will offer flexibility of participation to students.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Online lectures through MyUni: The content for this course has been reviewed and adapted from existing teaching material for care of people with palliative needs. The learning objectives, readings and content have been reviewed, adapted and presented in keeping with Level III courses. The online lectures will take the form of voiced over power points and Articulate presentations.

    Articulate presentations – the School of Nursing has a licence for the Articulate e-learning authoring software program and has a number of staff that are expert in its use. The advantage to the student is the freedom to progress through content at their own pace while receiving in time support for their learning. This is particularly helpful for the nature of the content which will be available for revision across the semester. The School of Nursing has a purpose built e-learning room with dedicated PC access to training support software.

    Workload

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

    • The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
    • The minimum workload for this course has suggested hours of:
    • • 1 x 2 hour lecture / week (Articulate presentations)
    • • 1 x 1 hour preparartion for quizzes
    •    1 x 2  hour reading / week 
    Please be advised that the workload shown here for the time commitment breakdown for this course is based on the hours required if the course was face to face and does not include the volume of time students will spend on mandatory assessment items.

    As the course is offered online, students can engage in content at their own pace, although it is highly recommended that participation in course content occurs on a weekly basis to avoid falling behind in course content
    Learning Activities Summary
    Topic Lecture
    Lecture 1   Palliative care   History and Evolution of palliative care
    Lecture 2   Palliative care   Models of palliative care
    Lecture 3   Life limiting illness   Life limiting illness and illness trajectories
    Lecture 4   Cancer   Cancer and cancer treatments
    Lecture 5   Neurological disease   Neurological disease management in palliative care
    Lecture 6   Pain and symptom management   Understanding pain and symptom management
    Lecture 7   Spiritual and cultural issues   Spiritual and Cultural issues in palliative nursing
    Lecture 8   Multidisciplinary teams   Understanding the roles of the multidisciplinary team
    Lecture 9   Grief and Loss   Understanding grief and loss
    Lecture 10   Communication   Essential communication skills in palliative nursing
    Lecture 11   Advance care planning   Goals of care and advance care directives
    Lecture 12   End-of-life care   Caring for the person in the last days of life
  • 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

    being addressed

      Online Quiz   Formative   N/A  1 
      Online Quiz   Summative   10%  2-3
      Poster   Summative   30%
    (includes 10% peer assessment)
     3-4
      Case Study   Summative   60%  5-10


    Assessment Detail


    ASSESSMENT 1: Online Quiz (Formative)

    Online Quiz: an online quiz regarding the history and models of palliative care will be provided. Mandatory participation in this assessment will assist students in their understanding of broader aspects of palliative care nursing.

    ASSESSMENT 2: Online Quiz (Summative)

    Online Quiz: an online quiz regarding aspects of palliative care nursing will be provided. Participation in this assessment will assist students in developing the content of the poster and case study.

    ASSESSMENT 3: Poster

    Poster: a poster, 1000 word equivalent, will be designed on a topic that relates to one of the disease states (cancer or neurological disorders) presented during the course. The poster will be constructed to a specific size and style as outlined in the study guide. Students will have an opportunity for peer assessment of other students posters. 

    ASSESSMENT 4: Case Study

    Case Study: a 2000 word case study based on palliative care nursing. This will be designed to include the key themes of:
     - pain and symptom management
     - spiritual, cultural and ethical issues
     - the role of the multidisciplinary team
     - grief and loss
     - setting goals of care and advance care planning
     - providing end-of-life care

    Submission

    No information currently available.

    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.

    This is the first time the course has been offered. Student are encouraged to submit feedback which will be used to improve the learning experience for 2016.
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  • Policies & Guidelines
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