Course Title: Child Health and Nursing

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Child Health and Nursing

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

PUBH1056

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007

Course Coordinator: Ms Aruna Akkireddi

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99257452

Course Coordinator Email: aruna.akkireddi@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 201, Level 4 and Room 16

Course Coordinator Availability: appointment , email and phone


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities


Registration as a Division 1 nurse

Basic computer skills

Basic knowledge about children and their development 


Course Description

This course provides students with an opportunity to focus on Primary School-aged children (5 to 12 years) and on their health within the context of family, school and community environments. Physical, cognitive, moral and psychosocial growth and development will be the foundation on which the promotion and maintenance of school-aged children’s health will be addressed. In addition, common developmental, behavioural and health issues related to school aged children will be discussed. The role and responsibilities of the nurse, school and the community in managing the health of school aged children will be analysed.

Key Areas
• School-aged children and their physical, cognitive and psychosocial development;
• School aged children’s health and health issues;
• The role of the nurse as a provider of primary health care to school aged children.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The dimensions of capability developed in the course include:
1. Ability to apply advanced skills in assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation in a variety of School and Community settings
3. Advanced knowledge in Child Health area;
4. Professional responsibility and accountability to make ethical decisions;
5. Apply an evidence-based approach to advanced practice;
7. Facilitates the empowerment of others, including diverse groups, through effective and therapeutic communication;
8. Engaging in reflective practice and professional development of self and others.


At the completion of the course you should be able to:
• Acquire and interpret physical, cognitive and psychosocial developmental assessment data
• Apply knowledge and skills of advanced monitoring and assessment of school aged children appropriate in a primary school environment
• Incorporate bioscientific principles in the collaborative management of school aged children with special needs
• Critically apply health assessment findings to specific clinical conditions in order to provide safe and effective nursing care to primary school aged children
• Plan, implement and evaluate collaborative management according to the identified health needs of school aged children
• Analyse the effects and implications for primary school aged children, families, peers, and school
• Critically apply contemporary evidence-based nursing knowledge to healthy and ill school aged children
• Develop and utilise critical thinking processes and problem solving skills in order to effectively practice as a competent primary school nurse

The underpinning knowledge and skill developed in the course includes:
• Advanced skills to assess physical, cognitive, psychosocial development of school aged children
• Awareness of potential psychosocial, and cultural issues relevant to school aged children and their families
• Advanced health assessment, to determine the nursing interventions needed based on the health and developmental status of the school aged child
• Application of primary school nursing knowledge and skills in the provision of health services, health education, health promotion, counselling and healthy school environment,
• Application of primary school nursing knowledge and skills in the provision of effective care to school aged children who are experiencing health problems
• Advanced skills to assess physical, cognitive, psychosocial development of school aged children
• Awareness of potential psychosocial, and cultural issues relevant to school aged children and their families
• Advanced health assessment, to determine the nursing interventions needed based on the health and developmental status of the school aged child
• Application of primary school nursing knowledge and skills in the provision of health services, health education, health promotion, counseling and healthy school environment,
• Application of primary school nursing knowledge and skills in the provision of effective care to school aged children who are experiencing health problems
• Establishment of interventions provided at a primary school, which may include health monitoring and health education of school aged children with chronic illnesses or disabilities
• Demonstrate the ability to utilize decision making skills within the primary school context
• Knowledge of legal and ethical issues
• Collaborative interventions and plans of care incorporating current research findings
• Knowledge of professional role of primary school nurse and identity in school nursing


Overview of Learning Activities

Seminars
Directed learning exercises
Clinical review
Additional readings.


Overview of Learning Resources


Lectures
Class discussion
Additional readings
Visit to primary schools
Case scenarios
Class discussion Online discussion forums


Overview of Assessment


e-journal - addressing issues related to school age child’s development and health

Written assignment and class/online  presentations on a topic related to “Nurse’s role in promoting health of a school-aged child”