Course Title: Professional Development in Neuroscience Nursing Practice

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Professional Development in Neuroscience Nursing Practice

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

NURS2067

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

150H Health Sciences

Distance / Correspondence or Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2010

NURS2067

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009

Course Coordinator: Dr Heather Pisani

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7448

Course Coordinator Email: heather.pisani@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 201 level 7 room 3 Bundoora West Campus

Course Coordinator Availability: Generally between the hours of 9am and 5pm unless alternative arrangements have been made


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities


Registration as a Division 1 Nurse in the relevant Australian State or Territory 
Employment in an acute Neuroscience Nursing area.


Course Description


This course will complement the theoretical components undertaken in the specialty subjects assisting students in analyzing and synthesizing this knowledge through theortetical application of that knowledge and reflective practice. Students will develop an understanding of the implications of the advances in technology on the health care of individual(s) / communities and gain the expertise necessary in appropriately applying these technological advances for therapeutic aims. This subject will also assist students through reflection on their clinical and neuroscience nursing  practice.  The subject provides students with a variety of opportunities for professional development. Students will be able to develop an awareness of the effects of political, economic, legal and ethical issues on the health care of individual(s) and communities. Students will have an opportunity to develop an appreciation of the effects of cultural issues when caring for individuals and communities from different ethnic backgrounds. Through critical examination of the clinical/ field practice area, students will be able to develop an awareness of the importance of evidence based best practice that will enhance the health of the individual(s) and communities. Clinical assessment of specific neuroscience nursing skills will als form a component of this subject for the nurse clinician.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development


3. Beginning level of advanced knowledge in the neuroscience specialized area;

4. Professional responsibility and accountability to make ethical decisions;

5. Apply an evidence-based approach to advanced practice;

6. Operate as a team member to lead, manage and contribute to an enabling environment that promotes safety, health and human dignity.


• To identify and work within the appropriate legal tenets as applied to Neuroscience Nursing Practice;

• Recognise the role of the Nurses Act, Organ Transplantation Act, Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, and Equal Opportunity Act in the clinical environment;

• Demonstrate an awareness of ethical issues that relate to the neuroscience nursing specialty and their application in the clinical setting;

• Demonstrate knowledge and practice that complies with the Professional Code of Ethics and code of Conduct for Nurses as specified by the Australian nursing and Midwifery Council (Inc). Act as a professional Nurse Leader in the multidisciplinary health care team of the Neuroscience clinical environment;

• Act as a professional role model for the Nurse clinicians functioning in the neuroscience clinical area;

• Act as a professional Nurse Leader in the multidisciplinary health care team of the Neuroscience clinical environment;

• Act as a professional role model for the Nurse clinicians functioning in the neuroscience clinical area;

• Function independently using, as a beginning level advanced neuroscience specialised knowledge and skills;

• Demonstrate an ability to link theory to practice in a n appropriate manner to improve patient care outcomes;

• Actively contribute to patient care decision options and participate in team projects as an advocate for issues related to neuroscience nursing practice;

• Demonstrate a capacity to translate academic learning and critical thinking to enhance patient outcomes;

• Demonstrate the ability to apply the framework of the Nursing Process to achieve measurable nursing and therapeutic outcomes that are realistic and attainable;

• Demonstrate a capacity to prescribe holistic care for the neuroscience patient based on rational scientific knowledge within the framework of seamless clinical care;

• Maintain an awareness of an optimal and safe neuroscience environment within the construct of appropriate sustainability and utilization framework;

• Recognise the impact of therapeutic innervations on the requirement for safe practice and risk minimization;

• Identify the role of research h based practice in the neuroscience specialty practice setting;

• Demonstrate the importance of research in academic knowledge and clinical skill translation to the clinical setting.


• Correlate the Legislative boundaries of Neuroscience Nursing Practice within the contemporary health care framework;
• Identify the role of the various pieces of legislation in the patient care environment;
• Be aware of the Code of Ethics for Nurses and the Code of Conduct for Nurses as published by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (Inc)
Continue to explore and synthesize the complex pathophysiological and psychosocial processes causing a patient to require advanced neuroscience nursing care;
• Critically apply health assessment findings to specific clinical conditions in order to provide safe and effective neuroscience nursing care;
• Deliver care that reflects respect and sensitivity to the culturally and linguistically diverse population;
• Demonstrate and accept accountability for nursing actions;
• Identify and deal appropriately with unsafe practices;
• Continue to acquire and interpret physiological and technical assessment data, including life-threatening electrocardiographic abnormalities;
• Incorporate bioscientific principles in the collaborative management of patients with complex needs;
• Plan, implement and evaluate collaborative management according to the identified health needs of the specific neuroscience patient;
• Analyse the effects and implications for patients, both physical and psychological of therapeutic interventions and regimes Identify the appropriate use of environmental, fiscal and patient resources to achieve optimal outcomes for the patient;
• Function within accepted frameworks to ensure an appropriate care trajectory for patient care;
• Function within Safe Practice, Work safe and Environmental frameworks to ensure appropriate utilization and disposal of equipment in the patient care setting.
Continue to demonstrate an ability to utilize research to enhance identified knowledge and patient care;
• Continue to demonstrate a capacity to apply research-supported knowledge within the patient care environment.


Overview of Learning Activities


Seminars
Directed learning exercises
Clinical review
Additional readings.

For students undertaking this course by DE a structured learning program will be provided


Overview of Learning Resources


Lecture notes
Prescribed and recommended texts
DLS and "on line" resources.


Overview of Assessment


Formative Assessment:
Research Assignment
Evidence Based Clinical Review
Clinical assessment

Summative Assessment
Class Presentation