NUR 3050 Professional Issues in Nursing

STAFFING:

OTHER-REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

Nurses need to analyse historical events that have had an impact on the discipline of nursing and the forces that have shaped the profession of nursing. Knowledge of legal and ethical principles is necessary to prepare the nurse for professional practice.

SYNOPSIS:

This course consists of three modules - Law, Ethics and Practice. The course explores contemporary theories to analyse the continuing debate about the essence of nursing. It discusses history and theories of nursing and also examines legal, ethical and practice issues that may confront the nurse. The course also explores contemporary issues in health care and how they affect the practice of nursing in Australia.

OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. discuss and review the historical factors which have influenced the evolution of nursing;
2. discuss and debate how theories influence nursing practice;
3. differentiate between a nursing model and a nursing theory;
4. apply legal principles to nursing and related health care situations;
5. apply ethical principles to nursing and related health care situations;
6. explore patient/client issues that can pose as ethical dilemmas;
7. use ethical decision-making models in nursing and related health care situations; and
8. examine the contemporary role of the nurse in health care.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Test date will be available during the semester.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 20% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of a passing grade, students must demonstrate, via the summative assessment items, that they have achieved the required minimum standards in relation to the objectives of the course by satisfactorily completing all summative assessment items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   Candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the Closed examination.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.