NURSING 7207 - Clinical Nursing Practice IV

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

This course will provide opportunity to consolidate nursing practice in caring for patients in all health care settings.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code NURSING 7207
    Course Clinical Nursing Practice IV
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Nursing School
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Intensive
    Restrictions Available to M.Clin Nurs students only
    Course Description This course will provide opportunity to consolidate nursing practice in caring for patients in all health care settings.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Tammy Page

    Course Coordinator: Tamara Page
    Phone: +61 8 8313 1225
    Email: tamara.page@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Room 3-64, School of Nursing, 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 Perform simple and complex interventions necessary in all health care settings
    2 Critically analyse and use evidence based practice to inform decision making
    3 Perform according to ANMC competency standards of the RN – all statements
    4 Further develop practice using exemplars of clinical practice
    5 Make a smooth transition to the role of a Registered Nurse
    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. 1-5
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1, 4, 5
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1-5
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1-5
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 2, 4, 5
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 4, 5
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1, 4-5
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1, 3-5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Lewis, P & Foley, D, 2011 Weber & Kelley’s Health assessment in Nursing 4/e, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Australia.

    Tollefson, Joanne 2012, Clinical psychomotor skills: assessment tools for nursing, 5th edn, Cengage Learning Australia.

    Intelli+Learn
    , 2013. Medication Management for Health Professionals. CD, An interactive course to develop and assess skills in medication management. Australia.
    Recommended Resources
    Harris, P, Nagy, S & Vardaxis, N (eds) 2014, Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions, 3rd edn, Mosby, Sydney.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course uses a blend of lectures, tutorials and workshops to identify situations that impact the daily environment of nursing practice. Students are encouraged to consider their ‘arrival’ at the career of nursing and to actively reflect on what they consider to be the professional skills and attributes. Role plays and self -directed learning opportunities help to facilitate the reflective nature of this course.
    Workload

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

    The workload for this course requires attendance at
    • 1 x 3 hour practical / week
    • SCAs preclinical week

    It is expected that you will need to invest about 12 hours per week of study to successfully complete this course. This includes all study activities, practicals, readings and assessment. Thus some weeks it will be more and others less. It is recommended that you plan your time commitment to the course at the beginning of the semester.
    Learning Activities Summary
    The tables below indicate the teaching sessions for Clinical Nursing Practice I. Please refer to the timetable above for details on class and time. A summary of the clinical skills topics are as listed below. Other clinical skills sessions may be provided as required.

    Clinical Nursing Practice IV
    Clinical Skills Laboratory Sessions
    Consolidation of Nursing Skills

    1. Nursing informatics’

    2. Medication administration – paediatrics

    3. Drug calculations

    4. Respiratory skills reviewed

    5. Cardiac skills reviewed

    6. Wound care reviewed

    7. Neurological care reviewed

    8. OSCEs – pre-clinical assessment of skills
  • 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
    Clinical practice/performance/assessment Formative NGP 1-5
    Objective Structured Clinical examination (OSCE) Summative 30% 1-5
    Portfolio with exemplars of clinical practice Summative 70% 1-5
    Assessment Detail
    ASSESSMENT 1: OBJECTIVE STRUCTURED CLINICAL ASSESSMENT
    Due Date: Semester 1: Week 1-6
    Weighting: NGP
    Length: Ongoing throughout course

    The Clinical Skills Assessment is conducted in the weeks immediately prior to clinical placement. This assessment is formative in nature and provides an opportunity for students to perform essential nursing tasks while under a degree of supportive scrutiny. Successful completion of this assessment is required before students can undertake clinical placement.

    ASSESSMENT 2: PORTFOLIO
    Due Date: Semester 1: 4th Nov, 2014
    Weighting: 70%
    Length: 3000 words

    The Portfolio is an opportunity for students to integrate, compare and synthesise the evidence base for, and clinical practice of, 4 examples of fundamental nursing care they observe and participate in during clinical placement. Students should choose 4 examples that correspond to the skills from their Skills Booklet. Monitoring and responding to a client/patient’s condition must be included as one of the skills in the portfolio; with the Nursing competency assessment s:
    • The initial and ongoing nursing assessment of a client or patient;
    • Managing the care of a group of clients/patients;
    • Monitoring and responding to changes in a client-patient’s condition
    To be submitted post placement 2).
    A summary of the evidence base for each of the skills in the portfolio is required and a comparison of this and a critique the observed practice should be made. The marking guide below will be used to assess the submission

    ASSESSMENT 3: STRUCTURED CLINICAL ASSESSMENT
    Due Date: Semester 1: Week of the 25th Nov, 2014
    Weighting: 30%
    Length: 30 min
    Length: 30 minutes

    The Structured Clinical Assessment is a formal conclusion to the semester to give students an opportunity to demonstrate the skills and knowledge they have acquired. The oral and practical exam is of 30 minutes duration and uses a structured approach to the assessment of clinical skills. Students will be observed by two staff as they move through a scenario and respond to questions designed to complement hands on skills with critical thinking.
    Submission
    Unless otherwise indicated all submission of assignments is to be through the assignments portal of MyUni. Students MUST keep an electronic copy of all assignments submitted. Cover sheets are required for all assignments and can be accessed from the Discipline of Nursing website. Extension of time for submission of assignments is subject to negotiation with the course coordinator. Requests must be made before the due date of the assignment. In principle, all assignments should be submitted by the due date. However, an extension may be granted if the request is made before the due date and the usual administration procedures are followed. Late submission without an approved extension will be penalised at the rate of 10% of available marks for each working day after the due date. Work submitted more than ten days after the due date may be returned unmarked. This action will be taken to prevent students who do get their work in on time being disadvantaged.

    Whenever possible staff will turn around marked assignments within 4 weeks or earlier.
    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.

    Students are to ensure they are familiar with the contents of the 2014 Master of Clinical Practice Handbook. A PDF of this document is available through MyUni.

    The following marking guides will be used for assignments:

    Marking Guide - Portfolio
    Structure and Presentation 20%
    Structure (15%)
    • Each section of the portfolio is structured in a logical sequence so that the content flows (headings may be used to develop the structure of the portfolio).

    • Where appropriate introduces/outlines/situates the activity/discussion.

    • Where appropriate each section of the portfolio ends with a cogent, defendable conclusion that summarises the discussion within the body of the paper.

    Writing Style (5%)
    • The portfolio is written with clear sentence structure and the spelling and grammar are correct.
    Content 70%
    • Demonstrates an understanding of the activities/discussions chosen by identifying the main components/issues/focus of the topic area.

    • Provides evidence of support from contemporary literature to support argument/points of view.

    • Where appropriate for the activity demonstrates critical thought.

    • Has completed all activities/discussion points.
    Referencing 10%
    • The referencing style used throughout the summary paper is congruent with the Discipline’s Student Handbook and Style Guide.

    • The reference list is accurate (i.e. no missing page numbers, volumes, correct title etc), complete (i.e. no references in the body of the paper are missing from the reference list) and consistent with the Discipline’s Student Handbook and Style Guide.

    • The references cited are contemporary (i.e. less than 10 years old unless seminal papers).

    • Primary references are used predominantly (i.e. the original reference has been cited rather than a secondary source).

    • There is evidence in the summary paper that the student has searched widely for information related to the topic/issue.

    • The student has acknowledged all sources of information.

    • Direct quotations are only used to make crucial points or to support the discussion/argument.

    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.