Course Title: Project

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Project

Credit Points: 24.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

PUBH1073

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 1 2014

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Lina Shahwan-Akl

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7443

Course Coordinator Email: lina.shahwan-akl@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Successfully Completed a Graduate Diploma of Nursing Program


Course Description

The project is designed to provide students who have successfully completed a Graduate Diploma program an opportunity to complete a project under the guidance of an academic supervisor. The student in consultation with the academic supervisor will be given the opportunity to explore an issue, process or program within the health care field. Students may also choose to undertake a critical literature review or research secondary data on a particular issue. Students must plan, develop and implement their project. In undertaking the project the student will develop an in-depth understanding of an area relevant to nursing, midwifery or health care. The project may be undertaken as an individual project or as part of a collaborative team involved in the investigation of a pertinent health issue. Students are also advised to consult with, and obtain approval of their program coordinator in relation to the specific objectives for the project.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The dimensions of capability developed in the course include:

  • 5. Apply an evidence-based approach to advanced practice
  • 2. Analysis, synthesis and integration of knowledge and application to practice
  • 8. Engaging in reflective practice and professional development of self and others


At the completion of the course you should be able to:

  • Identify a significant research problem/issue relevant to the fields of nursing, and/or health care
  • Develop appropriate research questions
  • Critique and review the relevant literature
  • Develop a project proposal
  • Implement and manage the study
  • Analyse and interpret the findings
  • Communicate and disseminate findings from project to relevant fora
  • Present the findings of the project in a form consistent with the Division and University regulations.
  • Analyse and critically evaluate and apply research findings to professional nursing practice domains to improve patient safety and quality care
  • Apply knowledge critically and discern policy and practice development needs in nursing, midwifery and health care practice domains
  • Apply critically research and critical thinking processes to problem-solving in professional practice domains
  • Discuss critically and learn from past and present experience, both of self and others, to extend professional and personal selves
  • Examine critically assumptions and prejudices that may impact on effective professional development and practice

The underpinning knowledge and skill developed in the course includes:

  • Identifying a significant problem/issue relevant to the fields of nursing, and/or health care
  • Searching, evaluating and critiquing relevant literature
  • Accessing information from the Library
  • Communication skills.
  • Skills to analyse critically, evaluate and apply findings to an in professional nursing practice domains to improve patient safety and quality care
  • Skills to discern policy and practice development needs in nursing, and health care practice domains
  • Skills to apply critical thinking processes to problem-solving in professional practice domains
  • Skills to reflect critically and learn from past and present experience, both of self and others, to extend professional and personal selves
  • Skills to review assumptions and prejudices that may impact on effective professional development and practice


Overview of Learning Activities

Students are expected to meet with their appointed supervisor at a time negotiated with the supervisor.

In consultation with the supervisor, candidates will be expected to:

  • Identify a significant research problem relevant to the fields of nursing, midwifery, and mental health
  • Develop appropriate project question
  • Commence and complete the project
  • Present the findings of the study in a form consistent with the Division and University regulations.
  • attendance at all project meetings
  • self-directed literature searching and review


Overview of Learning Resources

  • Appointed supervisor
  • Library and electronic data base access to journals and other relevant literature
  • Professional research seminars  


Overview of Assessment

Formative
At least one presentation to supervisor

Summative:
Project of 5,000-6,000 words being the final report of the project