Course Title: Advanced Clinical Nursing Practice

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Advanced Clinical Nursing Practice

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

NURS2117

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 2 2012

Course Coordinator: A/Prof Lina Shahwan-Akl

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7443

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

Course Coordinator Location: 201.06.04


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

none


Course Description

This clinical practicum will allow the international students to gain insight into nursing practice in Australia. It focuses on the clinical role of the nurse acting autonomously as well as a member of a multidisciplinary health team. The emphasis is on contemporary nursing practice in a multicultural society, and the changing practice in response to technological advances. The student is expected to adapt technical skills to meet the demands of the setting and the unique needs of the patient. The student will be expected to perform most aspects of care competently. A key feature of this clinical practicum will be the clinical learning opportunity to develop advanced nursing skills and an awareness of opportunities for advanced professional development. This learning will take place within the clinical setting guided by specific on-line reference material.

Key areas:

  • Development of advanced levels of clinical competence
  • Advancement of clinical skills and knowledge
  • Ongoing and advanced professional development expectations and opportunities


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The dimensions of capability developed in the course are:

  • C1. Ability to apply advanced skills in assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation in a variety of clinical care settings and contexts
  • C2. Analysis, synthesis and integration of knowledge and application to practice
  • C3. Advanced knowledge in practicum area
  • C4. Professional responsibility and accountability to make ethical decisions
  • C6. Operate as a team member to lead, manage and contribute to an enabling environment that promotes safety, health and human dignity
  • C7. Facilitates the empowerment of others including diverse groups, through effective and therapeutic communication


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

  • practice in accordance with the profession’s code of ethics
  • provide holistic nursing care to patients/families
  • ensure continuity of care through appropriate consultation, planning and communication
  • provide care that is inclusive of cultural values, customs and spiritual beliefs of individuals and groups
  • act to ensure that the rights of individuals or groups are not compromised
  • respond effectively in rapidly changing situations
  • maintain collaborative and supportive relationships with patients and their families/carers
  • contribute to effective care of patients with complex acute disorders
  • develop advanced nursing skill and expectations
  • prepare for advanced professional development

The underpinning knowledge and skill developed in the course includes:

  • Fundamental nursing practice in an Australian health care setting
  • Physical assessment skills
  • Technology based assessment
  • Complex life threatening pathophysiological conditions
  • Assisting individuals unable to provide self care
  • Use of evidence based practice for nursing care
  • Admission and Discharge planning
  • Pharmacological care requirements
  • Acquiring advanced nursing skills and expectations
  • Ongoing and advanced professional development expectations and opportunities


Overview of Learning Activities

  • Clinical Practicuum provides opportunities for students to perform advanced level nursing procedures to promote healing, and administration of pharmacological agents. The students will reflect on their own practice, validating existing knowledge and skills, and critically examining their encounters with clients to increase self-awareness and interpersonal effectiveness.
  • Students will be expected to have prepared for clinicals by completing reading materials. Students will be expected to contribute to daily clinical debriefing sessions during the placement. The clinical teacher will give periodic feedback regarding the students strengths and weaknesses.
  • Active participation and collaboration with the health care team, self-appraisal and peer support is expected of students during clinical practicum.
  • As students progress through the course, it is expected that the students will then develop advanced nursing skills and ability to utilise research literature and evidence based practice in their care of individuals and families.

Students are expected to be able to: 

  • demonstrate personal conduct consistent with the expectations of employees of the health care agency, and avoid conduct which could bring RMIT University into disrepute
  • prepare for clinical Practicum by familiarising oneself with established standards of care and protocols for the performance of nursing procedures


Overview of Learning Resources

Handouts and relevant research evidence based articles.


Overview of Assessment

Formative:

  • As the assessment for the clinical practicum is formative in nature any students who are not performing to an adequate level or are determined by the clinical teacher to be borderline should be identified early during the placement. During the formative assessment the clinical teacher must identify areas (if any) that need improvement to enable the student an opportunity to improve their performance.
  • Hurdle task: Skills and medication log completed
  • All clinical practicum placement time associated with this course must be completed.

Summative:

  • Appraisal of clinical competence