NURSING 1008 - Communication and Professional Nursing II

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

The course will complement student learning from Communication and Professional Nursing I 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 Communication and Professional Nursing II
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Nursing School
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 5 hours per week
    Restrictions Available to B.Nurs students only
    Course Description The course will complement student learning from Communication and Professional Nursing I 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.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Ms Liz Kraft

    Course Coordinator: Cheryl Green
    Phone: +61 8 8313 4877
    Fax: +61 8 8313 3594
    Email: cheryl.green@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Level 3, Eleanor Harrald Building, Royal Adelaide Hospital

    Tutor: Bonny Lia

    Tutor: Christine Prior

    School Office
    Phone: +61 8 8313 3595
    Fax: +61 8 8313 3594
    Email: nursing.student@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: School of Nursing, North Terrace Campus

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Employ communication skills across an interdisciplinary environment to establish a learning environment with clinical tutors and permanent health care staff
    2 Identify clinical situations which require application of critical thinking, problem solving and the nursing process.
    3 Debate a range of ethical and professional issues that affect contemporary nursing practice
    4 Recognise the impact of nursing on the individual nurse and utilise effective strategies towards self care.
    5 Discuss the range of factors impacting on the health of ATSI populations
    6 Apply nursing practice which incorporates attention to cultural diversity in health care
    7 Recognise alterations in mental health and provide a ‘first aid’ response to those alterations.
    8 Understand the role of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in 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)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-3, 6-8
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 3
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1-2
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1, 4
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. N/A
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 4, 6
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1, 3
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 4, 6-7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Text
    Crisp, J, Taylor, C, Douglas, C and Rebeiro, G 2013 Potter & Perry’s Fundamentals of Nursing 4th ed Elsevier Chatswood, NSW

    Reader
    The readings for this course are available electronically via MyUni.
    Please note: it is your responsibility to organise printing should you prefer a hard copy of the reader.
    Recommended Resources
    http://mhsa.aihw.gov.au/home/
    http://www.mhca.org.au/

    National Standards for Mental Health Services 2010 Commonwealth of Australia

    http://www.lifeline.org.au/Find-Help/Mental-Health-Resource-Centre/Mental-Health-Resource-Centre
    Online Learning
    Reading materials to supplement texts will be provided through the learning platform – MyUni.
    Assessments will be submitted through the appropriate portal within MyUni.
    Details of the use of MyUni will be included in the Study Guide for the course.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Face to face lectures – Face to face lectures offer synchronous learning opportunities and enable students to quickly clarify complex descriptions and terminology. Much of the content for this course is supported by textbooks with web page and e-learning supports (e.g. flash cards for revision). The School of Nursing 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 emphasized through interactive though supported tutorials. One of the key tutorial sessions will consider the skills of responding to challenging behaviours and the recognition and response of a person requiring mental health first aid.

    Simulated Learning Environments (SLE) –
    the simulated learning environment provides students an opportunity to practice a range of communication and psychomotor skills prior to attending clinical placement. Importantly the SLE also enables clearly constructed, well considered clinical scenarios which nurture and challenge student development. The Robin Warren Skills Laboratory within the Faculty of Health Sciences provides a state of the art clinical training venue with dedicated nursing lecturers with expertise in low fidelity simulation. Students will learn to interact with clients in scenarios that reflect ‘typical’ mental health strategies and interventions for mental health first aid. Where possible the use of a standardized patient will provide a base for the SLE to unfold. The central aim of the SLE sessions is to reduce student’s anxiety about the way they may approach the nursing assessment of a person with mental health, alcohol tobacco or other drug behaviours. Further enhancement of the lab facility will enable high fidelity simulation to ensure the skills development of students occurs across the three years of the program. The SLE is especially complimentary to the PBL style of content delivery used in the 3rd year of the program. Maintenance of an empathetic and professional response to challenging situations will be essential for effective communication in the clinical setting.
    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:
    • 2 x 1 hour lecture / week
    • 1 x 2 hour tutorial / week (total of 7 / semester)
    • 4 x 1 hour group work / semester
    Non contact hours for assessment and tutorial preparation will be 5 hours per week.
    Learning Activities Summary
    The tables below indicate the lecture, tutorial and SLE workshop outlines for Communication and Professional Nursing 2. Other tutorials may be provided as required.

    Communication and Professional Nursing 2
    Lecture series
    1. Revision of legal principles of nursing practice

    2. ANMC Competencies applied in practice

    3. The role of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

    4. Epidemiology of nursing related health issues

    5. Preventative strategies for nursing related health injuries

    6. Revision of principles of communication

    7. Accountability, autonomy and advocacy in practice

    8. Introduction to ATSI health

    9. Nursing in a multicultural society

    10. Reflective practice in communication

    11. Self care

    12. Contradictions in Nursing

    13. Mental Health wellness

    14. Mental health Assessment

    15. Mental Health first aid / crisis resolution

    16. Anxiety, stress and coping

    17. Communication – peri operative period

    18. Dealing with Challenging behaviours

    19. Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATODS) – clinical features

    20. ATODS – psychosocial issues

    21. ATODS – Indigenous health issues

    22. ATODS - lifespan considerations
    Tutorial series
    1. Ethics, confidentiality, privacy and professional boundaries workshop

    2. Professional boundaries

    3. Dealing with challenging behaviours / de-escalation of violence

    4. Spirituality

    5. Mental health – first aid

    6. ATODs in the community
    SLE Workshops
    1. Communication in practice

    2. Asking the hard questions

    3. Good communication in challenging situations
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Participation in Tutorials and simulated learning experiences will provide the opportunity to learn together in a small group.
  • 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
    Website review Formative N/A 1-2
    Communication skills workshop Summative 20% All
    Mid-semester quiz Summative 30% 2-6
    Mental health first aid assessment Summative 50% 2, 4, 5, 7, 8
    Assessment Related Requirements
    A template for the mental health first aid assessment will be provided
    Assessment Detail
    ASSESSMENT 1: Website review

    Website review: students will review a selected number of websites devoted to the information and support for people suffering a drug or alcohol related disorder. A rubric to assist the student in analysis of the website will be provided.

    ASSESSMENT 2: Communication skills workshop

    Students will be required to participate in a communication skills workshop and complete a reflective paper from the activities of the workshop.

    ASSESSMENT 3: Mid semester quiz

    Mid semester quiz: a range of ATOD, ATSI, cultural diversity and professional topics will be assessed to determine student progress in the course. Feedback will be delivered before the mid semester break for students to receive feedback on their progress.

    ASSESSMENT 4: Mental health first aid

    Mental health first aid provides an opportunity to build mental health literacy and initial responses to those with mental health issues. Students will provide a written assessment on the indicators and responses to common mental health problems. The objective of the assessment is to offer students an opportunity to explore the knowledge and skills required for providing and responding to a mental health first aid assessment.
    Submission
    Unless otherwise indicated all submission of assignments is to be through the Turnitin 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 School 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.

    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.

    Students are to ensure they are familiar with the contents of the 2014 School of Nursing Student Handbook and Style Guide. A PDF of this document is available through MyUni.
  • 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.