Course Title: Apply communication skills in nursing practice

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2020

Course Code: NURS5374C

Course Title: Apply communication skills in nursing practice

School: 174T School of VE Engineering, Health & Science

Campus: Bundoora Campus

Program: C5365 - Diploma of Nursing

Course Contact: Jaye Keating

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254845

Course Contact Email: jaye.keating@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

There are no pre-requisites for this unit of competency.

Course Description

This course describes the skills and knowledge required to apply effective communication skills with a person, family or carer and with other healthcare professionals in a variety of health care settings.

 

Communication skills in nursing practice require using information technology as well as interpersonal skills applied therapeutically in nursing care and small group discussions.

 

This course applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses, and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia regulatory authority legislative requirements.

 

This course includes a Work Integrated Learning experience in which your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a real or simulated workplace context and where feedback from industry and/or community is integral to your experience.


This course includes clinical placement.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

HLTENN002 Apply communication skills in nursing practice

Element:

1. Use effective communication skills in complex situations.

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Apply principles of effective communication to facilitate, not inhibit, communication with the person. 1.2 Maximise opportunities to involve the person and family or carer in their care and treatment.  1.3 Clarify roles and responsibilities of the interdisciplinary health care team involved in communicating in complex situations, including clarifying own role as an enrolled nurse.  1.4 Demonstrate politeness, respect and empathy in all interactions with the person, family or carer.  1.5 Use health terminology correctly in written and verbal communication with the person, family or carer and with colleagues.

Element:

2. Identify and address actual and potential constraints to communication.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify early signs of potentially complex communication situations with a person, including with people who have hearing or vision impairments and require assistance.  2.2 Implement strategies to address complex communication situations in accordance with relevant policies and procedures, and within scope of role.  2.3 Demonstrate advocacy for a person in the health or community care setting.

Element:

3. Use information technology to support communication in nursing practice.

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Use computers and related information technology to access, develop and adhere to reporting requirements according to organisation policy and procedures.  3.2 Comply with organisation policy and procedures for electronic communication with the person, family or carer.  3.3 Use information technology including the internet to access data appropriate to own role and organisation policy and procedures.  3.4 Apply ethical principles and follow regulatory responsibilities when using social media and interacting online in nursing role.  3.5 Maintain accurate documentation and adhere to reporting requirements to support safe practice according to organisation policy and procedures.

Element:

4. Lead small group discussions.

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Monitor and respond appropriately to changing group dynamics.  4.2 Clarify the purpose of group meetings and manage discussion to achieve identified objectives.  4.3 Implement meeting procedures appropriate to the meeting’s purpose.  4.4 Clarify participants’ roles and use communication strategies to support their effective contribution to discussion

Element:

5. Give and receive feedback for performance improvement.

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Identify effective communication strategies for giving and receiving feedback on own performance.  5.2 Apply strategies that deliver constructive outcomes in giving and receiving feedback.  5.3 Use appropriate language and a respectful manner in giving and receiving feedback   

Element:

6. Evaluate effectiveness of communication in complex situations.

Performance Criteria:

6.1 Participate in debriefing sessions following communication for complex situations.  6.2 Document, consider and report outcomes of communication strategies used to address complex situations.


Learning Outcomes


The critical learning for this course takes place in clinical placement within the health sector and within simulations in RMIT laboratories.

You will be instructed in skills through demonstration, modelling and role-play. Skills development is supported by lectures on theory and underpinning knowledge, classroom discussions, group work, research and reflective practice.

 

On completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Use effective communication skills in complex situations.

    1.2 Maximise opportunities to involve the person and family or carer in their care and treatment.

    1.3 Clarify roles and responsibilities of the interdisciplinary health care team involved in communicating in complex situations, including clarifying own role as an enrolled nurse.

    1.4 Demonstrate politeness, respect and empathy in all interactions with the person, family or carer.

    1.5 Use health terminology correctly in written and verbal communication with the person, family or carer and with colleagues.

  2. Identify and address actual and potential constraints to communication.

    2.1 Identify early signs of potentially complex communication situations with a person, including with people who have hearing or vision impairments and require assistance.

    2.2 Implement strategies to address complex communication situations in accordance with relevant policies and procedures, and within scope of role.

    2.3 Demonstrate advocacy for a person in the health or community care setting.

  3. Use information technology to support communication in nursing practice.

    3.1 Use computers and related information technology to access, develop and adhere to reporting requirements according to organisation policy and procedures.

    3.2 Comply with organisation policy and procedures for electronic communication with the person, family or carer.

    3.3 Use information technology including the internet to access data appropriate to own role and organisation policy and procedures.

    3.4 Apply ethical principles and follow regulatory responsibilities when using social media and interacting online in nursing role.

    3.5 Maintain accurate documentation and adhere to reporting requirements to support safe practice according to organisation policy and procedures.

  4. Lead small group discussions.

    4.1 Monitor and respond appropriately to changing group dynamics.

    4.2 Clarify the purpose of group meetings and manage discussion to achieve identified objectives.

    4.3 Implement meeting procedures appropriate to the meeting’s purpose.

    4.4 Clarify participants’ roles and use communication strategies to support their effective contribution to discussion.

  5. Give and receive feedback for performance improvement.

    5.1 Identify effective communication strategies for giving and receiving feedback on own performance.

    5.2 Apply strategies that deliver constructive outcomes in giving and receiving feedback.

    5.3 Use appropriate language and a respectful manner in giving and receiving feedback.

  6. Evaluate effectiveness of communication in complex situations.

    6.1 Participate in debriefing sessions following communication for complex situations.

    6.2 Document, consider and report outcomes of communication strategies used to address complex situations.


Details of Learning Activities

All learning activities you will undertake within the course are designed to provide you with the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to perform to the standard expected in the health industry.

Learning activities include:

Face to face classes – introduce you to the key concepts within the course
Practical laboratories – provide an opportunity to practise your skills in a simulated work environment

Clinical placement – provides you with practical experience in a nursing workplace.


Teaching Schedule

 

Week 1

Introduction to communication

Introduction to self reflection

Week 2

Complex communication

EN Standards for practice

Self reflection

Week 3

Feedback for performance improvement

Leading Group discussions

Introduction to Open Disclosure Framework.

Practise for Assessment Task 1B (Open Disclosure- Group Discussion)

Assessment Task 1A Communication Quiz

Week 4

Assessment Task 1B

(Open Disclosure-Group Discussion)

 

Week 5

I.T/Technology

Documentation

Week 6

Clinical Handover

Practise for Assessment Task 2- Clinical handover

Self reflection

Week 7

Medical Terminology

Course Summary

Lab Assessment

Assessment Task 2 (Clinical Handover)

Self reflection

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Learning materials, Library, Text books E.g.Koutoukidis, G Stainton, K Hughson, J. (2016) Tabbners Nursing Care. Theory and (7th ed)  Sydney: Elsevier.

  • Mosby, (2016) Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions. (10th ed) Sydney: Elsevier.
    Online as eBook- 3 simultaneous users.

  • Hutton, A.R. (2016) An Introduction to Medical Terminology for Health Care. A Self- Teaching Package. (5th  ed) Churchill Livingstone.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including written, oral, practical tasks and activities.

 

You will be asked to personally demonstrate to your teacher/assessor the practical skills gained during this course to the relevant industry standards. Assessment activities will occur throughout this course and feedback will be provided at regular intervals.

 

Students must pass each of the following assessment tasks to demonstrate competent.

Assessment tasks

 

Assessment

Assessment 1

Group Discussion - Open Disclosure

Assessment 2

Clinical Handover with reflection

Assessment 3

Clinical placement

 

To be deemed competent you must demonstrate an understanding of all aspects required of the competency. Assessment methods have been designed to measure your achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over multiple tasks.

 

 

  

 

 

                       

 

 


Assessment Tasks

Assessment task 1

        PART A - Communication Quiz

        PART B -Lead a group discussion on Open disclosure 

Assessment task 2 

        PART 1- Simulation and role-play on clinical handover

        PART 2- Give and receive feedback for performance improvement

        PART 3- Self-evaluation on your own handover

Assessment Task 3 – Clinical placement

Students are required to show effective communication skill in the work place. 

 

All the submissions are made online through Canvas and a  feedback from your tutor will be provided.  

You will need to be graded satisfactory on all assessment tasks to be deemed competent in this course


Assessment Matrix

 

 

Assessment

Task 1B: Group Discussion-Open Disclosure

Assessment

Task 2: Clinical Handover

Assessment

Task 3: Clinical Placement

Assessment

Task 1A:  Quiz

Element

Performance criteria

 

 

 

 

 

Map to assessment criteria

 

Map to assessment criteria

 

Map to assessment criteria

 

Map to assessment criteria

 

 

1. Use effective communication skills in complex situations

1.1 Apply principles of effective communication to facilitate, not inhibit, communication with the person.

 

✓ Observation checklist

 

1.2 Maximise opportunities to involve the person and family or carer in their care and treatment.

 

 

 

 

Q12,14,15

1.3 Clarify roles and responsibilities of the interdisciplinary health care team involved in communicating in complex situations, including clarifying own role as an enrolled nurse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q2,8,9,10, 15

1.4 Demonstrate politeness, respect and empathy in all interactions with the person, family or carer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.5 Use health terminology correctly in written and verbal communication with the person, family or carer and with colleagues.

 

✓ Observation checklist

 

2. Identify and address actual and potential constraints to communication.

2.1 Identify early signs of potentially complex communication situations with a person, including with people who have hearing or vision impairments and require assistance.

 

 

Q11,12,13

2.2 Implement strategies to address complex communication situations in accordance with relevant policies and procedures, and within scope of role.

 

 

Q12,13,14, 15

2.3 Demonstrate advocacy for a person in the health or community care setting.

 

 

 

3. Use information technology to support communication in nursing practice.

3.1 Use computers and related information technology to access, develop and adhere to reporting requirements according to organisation policy and procedures.

 

 

 

Q1,2,3,4,5

3.2 Comply with organisation policy and procedures for electronic communication with the person, family or carer.

 

 

 

Q1,2,3,4,5

3.3 Use information technology including the internet to access data appropriate to own role and organisation policy and procedures.

 

 

 

Q1,2,3,4,5

3.4 Apply ethical principles and follow regulatory responsibilities when using social media and interacting online in nursing role.

 

 

 

 

Q1,2,3,4,5

 

 

3.5 Maintain accurate documentation and adhere to reporting requirements to support safe practice according to organisation policy and procedures.

 

✓ Marked up ASBAR document, notes from handover

 

 

4. Lead small group discussions.

4.1 Monitor and respond appropriately to changing group dynamics.

✓-Assessor observation checklist

 

 

 

4.2 Clarify the purpose of group meetings and manage discussion to achieve identified objectives.

✓-Assessor observation checklist

-Meeting template

 

 

 

4.3 Implement meeting procedures appropriate to the meeting s purpose.

✓-Assessor observation checklist

-Meeting template

 

 

 

4.4 Clarify participants roles and use communication strategies to support their effective contribution to discussion.

✓-Assessor observation checklist

 

 

 

5. Give and receive feedback for performance improvement

5.1 Identify effective communication strategies for giving and receiving feedback on own performance.

 

✓ Observation checklist

 

 

 

5.2 Apply strategies that deliver constructive outcomes in giving and receiving feedback.

 

✓ Observation checklist

 

 

 

 

5.3 Use appropriate language and a respectful manner in giving and receiving feedback.

 

✓ Observation checklist

 

 

6. Evaluate effectiveness of communication in complex situations.

6.1 Participate in debriefing sessions following communication for complex situations.

 

✓ Observation checklist, self-reflection

 

 

6.2 Document, consider and report outcomes of communication strategies used to address complex situations.

✓ Self reflection

 

Foundation Skills

Foundation skill

 

Description

 

Describe how each foundation skill is demonstrated through the relevant assessment

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessment

Task1B:  Group Discussion-Open Disclosure

Assessment

Task 2: Clinical Handover

Assessment

Task 3: Clinical Placement

Assessment

Task 1A: Quiz

Performance evidence

 

 

Map to assessment criteria

 

Map to assessment criteria

 

Map to assessment criteria

 

Map to assessment criteria

 

  • undertaken nursing work in accordance with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia professional practice standards, codes and guidelines

 

 

Q1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10

13,15

  • communicated effectively within the context of the enrolled nurse role in 4 different complex communication situations, with at least 1 of the situations involving a person, family or carer, and at least 1 of the situations involving work colleagues.

 

✓x1-Assessor observation checklist

✓x1

✓x3

 

Knowledge evidence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Map to assessment criteria

 

Map to assessment criteria

 

Map to assessment criteria

 

Map to assessment criteria

 

  • characteristics of effective partnerships in nursing including:
  • confidentiality
  • trust
  • self-reflection
  • social conversation
  • creating a therapeutic environment

 

 

Q5,6,10,14,15

  • documentation related to clinical handover

 

✓ ASBAR marked up document

 

Q7

  • elements and skills of communication processes:
  • interviewing techniques
  • active listening
  • conflict resolution
  • interpersonal skills
  • negotiating solutions
  • group dynamics
  • access and use of interpreters

 

 

 

  • factors that may facilitate and inhibit communication

 

Q10,11

  • information technology used in communication, and email etiquette and policies for use

 

 

 

Q1,2,3,4,5

  • principles underpinning nursing documentation including legal obligations

 

 

 

Q8,9

  • principles, processes and practices of open disclosure in line with Australian Open Disclosure Framework

✓-Meeting template

 

 

 

  • medical terminology used in clinical situations and enrolled nurse practice

 

 

  • sensory losses and appropriate nursing responses

 

 

Q11,12,13

  • social media policies for nurses

 

 

 

Q1,2,3

Add or remove columns and rows as required.

Assessment conditions

Describe how assessments meet the assessment conditions

 

 

 

 

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

  • use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources in line with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council s Standards

Clinical workplace and simulated environment (lab and classroom)

  • modelling of industry operating conditions including access to real people for simulations and scenarios in enrolled nursing work.

Clinical placement

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

 

In addition, assessors must hold current registration as a registered nurse with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

  • A - Links

 

 

 

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT Student Page for extensive information about study support, assessments, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students

 

Attendance

It is expected that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensure the maximum opportunity to gain competency. 

You are permitted to have a maximum of 2 resbumissions for this course, however each individual assessments may only be submitted once. Resubmissions are not automatic and will only be approved at the descretion of the programme coordinator after consultation with the teacher.

All resubmissions must be completed and submitted no more than 7 days after your work has been assessed.

 

Please note an opportunity to repeat clinical placement is not guaranteed and will be at the discretion of the Clinical Coordinator/Program Manager.

 

Special Consideration

Use the special consideration process if your circumstances are such that you cannot fulfil assessment requirements by the due date. 

 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity for more information.

Working with Children Check (remove if not applicable)

This course requires a Working with Children Check.

Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer

If you think you have some or all of the knowledge and competencies described, please discuss the Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer options with may be available to you with your Course Coordinator: For more information go to:http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview