Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Pharmacology for Nursing Practice

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

NURS2209

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2024,
Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Jo-Anne Rihs

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 8409

Course Coordinator Email: jo-anne.rihs@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Enforced Pre-Requisite Courses 

Successful completion of the following courses:

Note: it is a condition of enrolment at RMIT that you accept responsibility for ensuring that you have completed the prerequisite/s and agree to concurrently enrol in co-requisite courses before enrolling in a course. 

For information go to RMIT Course Requisites webpage. 

Required Concurrent Study 

You should undertake the following courses at the same time as this course as it contains areas of knowledge and skills which are implemented together in practice. 

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.  

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.   


Course Description

This course provides you with a comprehensive study of pharmacology in nursing practice and the role of therapeutics in patient care. The principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics will be explored alongside ethical, legislative and safety frameworks. Safe medication management and the importance of an interdisciplinary team approach will highlight the collaborative role of the nurse in relation to person-centred care. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for the following program: 

BP032P24 Bachelor of Nursing  

  • PLO1. Demonstrate a breadth and depth of nursing knowledge and concepts in a variety of real-world settings using an evidence-based approach.   
  • PLO2. Apply evidence-based nursing knowledge to conceptualise and deliver safe and effective practice in a variety of contexts, independently and collaboratively, using emerging technological advancements.  
  • PLO3. Generate and evaluate solutions to all aspects of interprofessional nursing practice while complying with ethical, legal, and regulatory standards.  
  • PLO5. Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for professional decisions through critical thinking and reflection to resolve challenges as part of a multidisciplinary and interprofessional team.  
  • PLO7. Demonstrate professionalism through lifelong learning to deliver safe, quality, holistic, and person-centred nursing care.  
  • PLO8. Examine and evaluate theories fundamental to lifespan development and practices that enhance lifespan transition, disability, and public health advocacy. 


On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:  

  1. Describe pharmacodynamic concepts and application of pharmacokinetic principles in relation to safe use of medications.  
  2. Analyse the mechanisms of therapeutic substances and disease interactions. 
  3. Identify major pharmacology drug classes and related physiological effects. 
  4. Demonstrate nursing skills associated with the management of therapeutic substances in the patient care context according to standards and legislation.  
  5. Apply the clinical reasoning framework to develop understanding of medications in nursing care aligned with disease processes.  
  6. Demonstrate safe medication calculations.  

 


Overview of Learning Activities

This course will use a range of learning activities including tutorials, virtual and face to face lectorial, Simulation Based Education (SBE), discussions and self-directed learning. Throughout the course you will be able to work both independently and in groups to aid the development of your theoretical knowledge and its application to clinical practice whilst developing collaboration and communication skills in peer-based learning.  

RMIT has state of the art simulated learning facilities for student learning and practice. You will participate in simulated practice within these facilities in preparation for placement. As a part of participation, you may be filmed for learning, teaching, reflection and assessment and this is considered an inherent part of our learning and teaching program. Recordings will be maintained in accordance with our assessment, document retention and privacy policies. 

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

This course contains hurdle requirements. All hurdle requirements for this course are indicated clearly in the assessment regime that follows, against the relevant assessment task(s) and all have been approved by the College Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching).

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Medication Calculation Assessment (HURDLE)   
Weighting 15%   
This assessment tasks supports CLO 6  

 Assessment Task 2: Case Study Group Assessment  
Weighting 20%  
This assessment task supports CLO 1, 2 & 5  

Assessment Task 3: Written Assessment 
Weighting 35%  
This assessment task supports CLO 1, 2, 3 & 5  

Assessment Task 4: Objective Structured Clinical Examination & Reflection (HURDLE)  
Weighting 30%  
This assessment task supports CLO 1, 4, 5 & 6  

Hurdle requirements: Simulated health environments learning attendance, Summative Medication Assessment and Objective Structured Clinical Examination  

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.