514-223 Clinical Nursing 1

514122 Foundations in Health Sciences 1, 514123 Foundations in Nursing Practice 1, 514125 Foundations in Health Sciences 2 and 514126 Foundations in Nursing Practice 2

OR

enrolment in the Bachelor of Nursing Science accelerated course via the graduate or professional entry categories.

In this subject the student will be introduced to health assessment across the life span using a comprehensive culturally sensitive nursing framework. Students will develop skills in data collection that focus on the principles of effective interviewing and physical assessment skills through tutorial-facilitated and self-directed laboratory practice. The theoretical basis of clinical decision making, problem framing and solving, using data collected during health assessment, will be introduced. In the clinical skills laboratory students will develop skills relating to a comprehensive health and physical assessment. In the clinical practicum under the guidance of clinical educators and mentors, students will gain experience in settings that enable them to meet the learning objectives of this subject. The major focus for the clinical practicum component of this subject is the integration of the principles of health assessment (incorporating interviewing and physical assessment) and clinical decision making. On completion of the subject it is expected that the student, whilst providing therapeutic interventions, is able to incorporate the further collection of health assessment data and adjust care accordingly.

At the completion of this subject students will be able to:

• utilise strategies that facilitate effective client communication;

• demonstrate the capacity for information seeking and retrieval using a comprehensive nursing assessment framework;

• demonstrate skills in physical assessment across the life-span;

• integrate health assessment into assisting clients with self-care activities;

• demonstrate the capacity to provide accurate written health assessment data using appropriate terminology;

• develop an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of clinical decision making;

• identify the contextual influences on decision making in the clinical environment;

• develop foundational skills in decision making in a changing health care environment.

At the completion of this subject students will be able to demonstrate:

• the capacity for information seeking, retrieval and evaluation;

• communication of knowledge using written and oral presentation methods;

• intercultural sensitivity;

• an openness to new ideas;

• critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills;

• the ability to work effectively in a team

Students are required to demonstrate competency in emergency care and first aid through undertaking a recognised first aid course. This is to be completed and a copy of the certificate submitted prior to the commencement of this subject.

1) 1000-word case study - 20%

2) 1000-word case study - 20%

3) Two-hour written examination - 30%

4) Clinical Practicum Appraisal - 30%

3) Twenty-minute oral practical examination - hurdle requirement

4) Submission of a clinical practice portfolio - hurdle requirement

Students must achieve a pass in all components of assessment to pass the subject.

• Crisp J and Taylor C (2004), Potter and Perry's fundamentals of nursing (2nd ed). Australia: Harcourt Health Sciences.
• Estes, M (2006), Health assessment & physical examination (3rd ed). Thomsons Learning: Melbourne.
• Perrin R (2004), Pocket guide to APA style. Houghton Mifflin College: Boston.
• Stedman, Stedman's medical dictionary for the health professions and nursing. Australian and New Zealand edition (5th ed) (2005). Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins: Philadelphia.