Advancing Practice. Clinical Impact

This academic plan is designed to provide opportunities for nurses to develop advanced knowledge and specialist skills in orthopaedic nursing.

Graduates of this academic plan will be able to care for adult and paediatric patients with both chronic musculoskeletal disorders and conditions or traumatic musculoskeletal injuries, throughout their whole continuum of care. While most of the focus is based within an acute care setting there is discussion on the potential for an increased role of orthopaedic nursing in the community setting.

Successful completion of Semester 1 specialty courses is a prerequisite for continuing in Semester 2 specialty courses.

SPECIALTY CORE COURSES

Nursing & Medical Science in Orthopaedic Nursing I
Units: 4 units
Teaching period: Semester 1
This course focuses on Nursing & Medical Science specific to the field of orthopaedic nursing. The focus is on the physiology, pathophysiology, biochemistry and therapeutics supporting the prevention, assessment and diagnostic studies of musculoskeletal conditions.
Specific musculoskeletal disorders are then discussed utilising the same theoretical framework.

Nursing & Medical Science in Orthopaedic Nursing II
Units: 4 units
Teaching period: Semester 2
This course builds on students' previous learning in Nursing & Medical Science in Orthopaedics I. Specific musculoskeletal disorders, therapeutic management of co-morbidities, peri-acute rehabilitation and discharge planning of the orthopaedic patient are addressed supported by the underpinning physiology, pathophysiology, biochemistry, therapeutics and nursing science.

Orthopaedic Nursing I
Units: 4 units
Teaching period: Semester 1
This course largely consists of field based learning within the area of orthopaedic nursing,
supported by virtual classroom tutorials and a 2-day workshop. It focuses on advanced clinical skill acquisition based on theoretical framework of care, aligned with topics covered in Nursing and Medical Science in Orthopaedics I.

Orthopaedic Nursing II
Units: 4 units
Teaching period: Semester 2
This course builds on students' previous learning in Orthopaedic Nursing I. It focuses on further advanced clinical skill acquisition based on theoretical framework of care, aligned with topics covered in Nursing and Medical Science in Orthopaedics II. As with Orthopaedic Nursing I material is presented via virtual classroom and a 2-day workshop.

CORE COURSES

Developing Advanced Practice in Health Systems I
Units: 4 units
Teaching period: Semester 1 or Semester 2
This course examines contemporary issues related to advanced nursing
practice and considers the supports and constraints within which nurses
practice. Topics include ethics of care, leadership, advocacy, evidence
based practice, health service management, professional standards,
health informatics and multicultural health care.

Developing Advanced Practice in Health Systems II
Units: 4 units
Teaching period: Semester 1 or Semester 2
This course examines the evaluation of clinical practice through
clinical audit. Students progress through a series of readings and
activities that introduce clinical audit and then progressively work
through the processes involved in the development, conduct and reporting
of an audit of clinical practice.

Focused Reading in Clinical Nursing (for students granted advanced standing)
Units: 4 units
Teaching period: Semester 1 or Semester 2
This course examines contemporary clinical nursing practice through a
critical review of the literature with a focus on acute care nursing
practice. Students are required to follow a protocol to ensure
scientific rigour and minimise potential bias.

Applicants must

1. be registered, or be eligible for registration, as a nurse in Australia or New Zealand, and
2. hold a degree of Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent; or, have at least two years experience as a registered nurse in the field of the specialisation to be undertaken.

This academic plan is offered to registered nurses currently employed full-time or for a minimum of 0.6 in the specialty setting.

• Discipline of Nursing