NURSING 2004 - Nursing Older People

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

Nursing older people is a course that recognises the specialty of caring for the elderly. The course content identifies and provides nursing oriented solutions to the management of falls, incontinence and dementia amongst others. The impact of ageing on nutrition, sleep, sexuality and mental well being are considered using cases taken from clinical practice. The identification of contemporary skills such as conducting ACAT assessments will enable the student to interact with the aged care system in Australia as both student and registered nurse.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code NURSING 2004
    Course Nursing Older People
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Nursing School
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Restrictions Available to B.Nurs students only
    Course Description Nursing older people is a course that recognises the specialty of caring for the elderly. The course content identifies and provides nursing oriented solutions to the management of falls, incontinence and dementia amongst others. The impact of ageing on nutrition, sleep, sexuality and mental well being are considered using cases taken from clinical practice. The identification of contemporary skills such as conducting ACAT assessments will enable the student to interact with the aged care system in Australia as both student and registered nurse.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mr Ryan Clarke

    Course Coordinator: Ryan Clarke
    Phone: +61 8 8313 6285
    Email: ryan.clarke@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Room E3-H66, Eleanor Harrald Building, Frome Road.

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Recognise the nature of aged care allocation and the future challenges for Australia’s ageing population based on current trends and predictions identified in current literature
    2 Examine & Discuss the issues relating to management of medications in the older population, in particular patient altered+ pharmacokinetics, polypharmacy, management and administration of medication.
    3 Investigate and Describe the health risks related to ageing, in particular risk of injury, risk of infection and altered nutritional status based on current best practice guidelines
    4 Distinguish and Demonstrate an understanding about the challenges and differences in care for the older adult coming from varying cultural and ethnic backgrounds
    5 Summarise and Explore key concepts relating to mental wellness, wellbeing and ageing considering current recommendations.
    6 Examine and Recognise process and importance of the ACAT assessment tool used in Australia
    7 Demonstrate and Recommend nursing interventions to manage continence in the older adult
    8 Recognise issues and stereotypes related to sleep, sexuality and exercise in regards to the ageing process in older adult
    9 Investigate and Devise a plan of care to accommodate older adults in a variety of settings and explore how nurses can help facilitate safe environments for the older adult using a client centred approach
    10 Explore the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management and nursing care required for cognitive disorders of aging.
    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. 2-5, 7, 9-10
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2-10
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1-4, 7, 9
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 6, 9
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 2
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 4, 10
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 4, 7, 9
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 4, 5, 8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Prescribed Texts


    Johnson, A & CHang, E 2014, Caring for Older People in Australia, Wiley, Milton, QLD.
    Recommended Resources
    Recommended Texts

    Crisp, J, Taylor, C, Douglas, C & Rebeiro, G 2013, Potter and Perry’s Fundamentals of Nursing, 4th edition, Elsevier, Chatswood, NSW.

    Hunter, S 2012, Miller's Nursing for Wellness in Older Aduts, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Sydney, NSW.

    Nay, R & Garratt, S & Fetherstonhaugh, D 2013, Nursing Older People: Issues and Innovations, 4th edition, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, Sydney.
    Online Learning
    Any online delivery mode of the course offers flexibility and enables students to study at their own pace. However, it is recommended that students ensure that they keep up to date with course content on a weekly basis so as not to fall behind.
  • 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.

    Tutorial sessions – tutorial sessions enable small group discussion and peer interaction around the content. Each tutorial session will focus on the lecture content for the week
    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:

    • 1-2 x 1 hour lecture / week
    • 7 x 2 hour tutorial / semester

    Non-contact hours for assessment and tutorial preparation will be 4 hours per week.
    Learning Activities Summary
     

    Week

    Topic

    Lecture

    Lecture 1

    The Ageing Population

    The Ageing Population & Theories of Ageing

    Lecture 2

    Inheritance

    Inheritance Patterns & Ageing

    Lecture 3

    Health Assessment

    Assessment of the Older Person

    Lecture 4

    Falls

    Falls & Fractures

    Lecture 5

    Continence & Incontinence

    Continence Management 1: Urinary

    Lecture 6

    Continence & Incontinence>

    Continence Management 2: Faecal>

    Lecture 7

    Communication & Psychological care>

    Communication and Psychological Issues for the Older Person/Culture & Ageing

     

    Lecture 8

    Sexuality

     

     

     

    Intimacy & Sexuality; Roles & Relationships with Ageing

     

    Lecture 9

    Cognitive Disorders

    Dementia & Other Cognitive Disorders Affecting the Older Patient

    Lecture 10

    Medicines for Older People

    Quality of Medicines for Older People

    Lecture 11

    Comfort, Pain & Palliative Care>

    Comfort, Pain & Palliative Care

    Lecture 12

    Elder Abuse

    Elder Abuse

    Lecture 13

    ATOD use in the Older person

    ATOD use in the Older Person

    Tutorial series
    1. Pathophysiology of ageing

    2. Immune changes in the older person

    3. Comfort rest and activity

    4. Care of the older person in their home

    5. ACAT assessment and nursing home placement

    6. Pressure injury prevention and management
  • 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 Quizzes Formative X 1


    Summative
    X 2

    N/A


    20%

    (10%each)
    2, 3, 6, 8, 10
    Case Study Preparation Summative 30% 1, 5, 9
    Case Study-Injury Prevention and Management Summative 50% 1-5, 7-10
    Assessment Detail
    ASSESSMENT 1: Online Quizzes X 3 (1000 word equivalent)

    Online Quizzes-The quizzes will be multiple choice and made available via My Uni. The first quiz is formative and the second and third quizzes will be summative. Students will be required to complete the online quizzes, which will test their knowledge on the theory covered within the course.


    ASSESSMENT 2: Case study preparation

    Case study preparation: students will submit an outline of their case study (750 words) for review and comment before commencing the case study proper. A rubric will be supplied to students outlining feedback for consideration in the final case study. Feedback will be returned to students prior to mid semester.

    ASSESSMENT 3: Case study – injury prevention and management (2000 words)

    Case study – injury prevention and management (2000 words): a case study highlighting one of the significant health related issues facing the older person. This case study could include falls, incontinence, pressure sore, dementia amongst other contemporary topics in health and ageing.
    Submission
    Unless otherwise indicated all submission of assignments is to be through the assignments portal of MyUni. TurnItin will be used to check student assignments. 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 1 week for submission of assignments can automatically be granted when an online request is submitted. (Please see Study Guide for details) Requests must be made before the due date of the assignment. In principle, all assignments should be submitted by the due date. Late submission without an approved extension will be penalised at the rate of 5% 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.
    The policy for applying for extensions is outlined in the School Manual and the Study Guides.
    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.

    Student feedback through SELT was to increase the amount of online content to support assessment and learning, this will occur for 2015.

    Students also commented on the schedule of lectures for guest lecturers. 

  • 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.