NURSING 7142 - Advanced Orthopaedic Nursing Practice I

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

This course aims to develop those skills required to function as an advanced Orthopaedic nurse, specifically allowing an effective assessment of gait, range of movement and radiological images. The course will also provide theoretical knowledge and skills to complete an orthopaedic-specific physical and functional assessment. This is presented in a theoretical format and via a two-day workshop on campus.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code NURSING 7142
    Course Advanced Orthopaedic Nursing Practice I
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Nursing School
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Two 7 hour workshops on campus
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Restrictions Available to M.NursSc students only
    Assessment Essay, clinical diary and online quizzes
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mr Paul McLiesh

    Course Coordinator: Paul McLiesh
    Phone: +61 8 8313 6286
    Email: paul.mcliesh@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: School of Nursing, The University of Adelaide

    School Office
    Phone: +61 8 8313 3595
    Email: nursing.studentliason@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 Debate the theoretical basis that supports the practice of orthopaedic nursing that is based on best available evidence
    2 Discuss the contemporary issues that impact orthopaedic nursing
    3 Identify and apply evidence based practice and knowledge that advances nursing skills and encourages the critical examination of nursing practices in orthopaedics
    4 Demonstrate the ability to deliver effective care to the orthopaedic patient
    5 Critique existing practice and implement changes to improve service delivery that is delivered in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team.
    6 Demonstrate leadership within orthopaedic nursing and serve as a mentor for other orthopaedic nurses.
    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. 1, 3, 4
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2-3
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 4-5
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 5
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 2, 5
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 5-6
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 5-6
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 2, 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Texts
    Dandy, DJ & Edwards, DJ 2009, Essential Orthopaedics and Trauma, 5th edn, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, Edinburgh.

    Thompson, J 2010, Netter’s Concise Orthopaedic Anatomy, 2nd edn, Saunders Elsevier, Philadelphia.

    Reader
    The readings for this course are available electronically via MyUni.
    Recommended Resources
    McRae, R & Esser, M 2008, Practical fracture treatment, 5th edn, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.

    Solomon, L 2005, Apley’s Concise System of Orthopaedics and Fractures, 3rd edn, Hodder Arnold, London

    Note: You are not required to buy recommended texts. However, they provide valuable supplementary reading on various aspects of the material covered within this course and you are encouraged to have a look at them.
    Online Learning
    This course is offered online and mirrors the weekly topics in the other semester 1 course: Orthopaedic Trauma Nursing 7141.
    There is a compulsory 2 day face to face workshop however. You will need to be in Adelaide for this workshop. It is generally held the Monday & Tuesday of week 3 or 4 of the semester.
    The sessions normally start around 0830 and finish by 1630. The coordinator will provide a timetable of the sessions closer to the time.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The topics for each week will generally match the topics of the online Classroom (OC) in the other subject for semester1: Orthopaedic Trauma Nursing. This course will review the history, anatomy & physiology, pathology, clinical features & basic treatments of most body regions, while Orthopaedic Trauma Nursing will focus on some basic anatomy & physiology but mainly on treatment & required nursing care.

    Participation in the 2 day workshop is compulsory. If you are unable to make the workshop, you will need to negotiate a ‘catch up’ session with the course co-ordinator.

    You will need to complete an online quiz each week before the OC session. This is essential and is part of your assessment and counts towards your final marks.

    Quizzes
    There are a set of short on-line quizzes each week that match that coming weeks topic. It is essential that you complete that quiz by the Monday of each week. The quiz will form part of your assessment and so will count toward your final grade. You can access the quizzes through MyUni in each week under ‘Course Materials’.
    Workload

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

    While all students work at a different pace it is expected that study for this course will be approximately 12 hours per week of your time. This is a rough guide and may vary for students who have not studied recently
    Learning Activities Summary
    Advanced Orthopaedic Nursing Practice 1 and 2 provides a sequential flow of theoretical content which will provide the student with the underpinning bases of orthopaedic nursing. These courses also complement Orthopaedic Trauma Nursing & Therapeutic Management of the Orthopaedic Patient, which when you review the modules of the courses, support each other.

    Topics include:

    Musculoskeletal anatomy, physiology and healing
    Epidemiology and burden of musculoskeletal disease
    Musculoskeletal assessment
    Orthopaedic complications
    Injury to:
    upper limbs, pelvis, lower limbs, the foot and ankle, spine
    Nerve anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology
    Arthroplasty
    Imaging & Pathology Investigations
  • 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 Outcome(s) being addressed
    Online Weekly Quizzes Formative 0% 1-3
    Online Weekly Quizzes Summative 30% 1-3
    Evidence Based Practice Essay Summative 70% 3-5
    Clinical Diary Summative Pass/Fail 1, 4
    Assessment Detail
    Online Quizzes (1,200 words equivalent)
    Weekly on-line quizzes are a means of reviewing the weekly topics. The quiz that matches the online classroom topic or is relevant to that week should be completed by the Monday of that week.

    Evidence Based Practice Essay (2,500 words)
    Select a procedure from your ward procedure manual, which is predominantly associated with the care of the orthopaedic patient and reflects your readings from this semester. (If you are unsure of a topic ask your course coordinator or clinical titleholder). Review the literature and find research articles reviewing this practice, consider the question: Does the literature support the current practice? (It is suggested you use five articles).

    In an essay of 2500 words review the procedure based on the research and make recommendations for changes to the procedure. Or you may simply document support for this practice if it is supported by your readings. Your essay should also include a draft of your recommended changes to the procedure (if current practice is not supported by the literature).
    Your review should then be presented (discussed) in a ward tutorial to gain feedback from your colleagues and peers. This feedback should be included in the summary of your paper.

    Clinical Diary
    Each student is required to maintain and complete a Clinical Diary throughout semester 1 and continues on into semester 2. You have the whole year to complete this clinical diary. It is recommended, however, that you meet with your Clinical Title Holder (CTH) regularly to check progress so it is not all left to the last few weeks of semester 2. While there is not a grading attached to this piece of work it has been designed to assist self-directed learning of practical clinical skills and provides a record of your learning. It is to be handed up to the course coordinator at the end of each semester, for review and comment.

    An episode of care of one of the patient discussed in the clinical dairy should be the bases of your case study.
    Submission
    Assessments, unless otherwise stated in your Study guide, are to be submitted electronically via Assignments in MyUni on the due date identified in this Study guide. Instructions for assignment submission are available for all students under Tutorials at www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/.

    An assessment submitted via MyUni must be submitted as a .doc, .docx or .rtf file. If submitting a PowerPoint presentation for marking, the .ppt or .pptx must be submitted as .pdf file. It is also important to submit your file under your name, such as surname.firstname. MyUni stamps all the other details against your filename once you submit your assessment.

    Turnitin is used to submit all assignments in this course. Turnitin is a plagiarism software tool that enables the student to identify any matching text before final submission.

    An Assignment Coversheet must be submitted with each assessment. The coversheet should be the first page of your assessment. A word version of the Assignment Coversheet is available to download at www.health.adelaide.edu.au/nursing/students/resources. The Plagiarism Statement must be signed and dated for your assessment to be marked (please note the details stated on the Assignment Coversheet). More information on avoiding Plagiarism is available at www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/plagiarism/.
    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.

    Plagiarism
    Students are reminded that plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty constitute a serious offence and can result in disciplinary procedures. Students are advised to read the policy Academic Honesty and Assessment Obligations for Coursework Students Policy & Coursework Students: Academic Dishonesty Procedures policy, available at www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/230/. The following definitions should be noted.

    Referencing: providing a full bibliographic reference to the source of the citation (in a style as determined by the School).
    Quotation: placing an excerpt from an original source into a paper using either quotation marks or indentation, with the source cited, using an approved referencing system in order to give credit to the original author.
    Paraphrasing: repeating a section of text using different words which retain the original meaning.
    Please note: changing just a few words does not constitute paraphrasing.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide (https://access.adelaide.edu.au/sa/login.asp)

    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.

  • 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.