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NUR3499 Clinical E: The Beginning Practitioner

Subject Cat-nbr Class Term Mode Description Units Campus
NUR 3499 84293 3, 2008 ONC Clinical E: The Beginning Practitioner 1.00 Fraser Coast
Academic group: FOSCI
Academic org: FOS004
Student contribution band: National Priority Nursing
ASCED code: 060301

Contents


STAFFING

Examiner: Trudy Yuginovich
Moderator: Joachim Ferrer


REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: (NUR2200 and NUR2400 and NUR2500 and NSC2500 and NUR2499 and Co-requisite: NUR3200) or (NUR2200 and NUR2400 and NUR2500 and NSC2500 and NUR2499 and NUR3200) and Students must be in the final semester of study and enrolled in Program BNUR


RATIONALE

Nursing is a practice profession and as such the inclusion of a sequence of professional clinical experience is fundamental to ensure that the graduand is a safe and competent beginning practitioner. Contemporary nursing requires a sound foundation of theoretical principles applied to the clinical environment. This clinical course consolidates the knowledge and skills that students have gathered throughout the Bachelor of Nursing (Pre-registration) Program and applies these foundations into clinical practice, using a preceptor/mentor model of supervision.



SYNOPSIS

This clinical course allows for a final review and refinement of experiential skills and application of theoretical knowledge prior to entering the profession as a novice Registered Nurse. This course focuses on the performance required for safe and competent practice as a Registered Nurse. Students are placed in structured situations which will facilitate accomplishment of pre-determined clinical objectives to demonstrate competency in holistic, culturally appropriate and effective care to ensure transition as a novice Registered Nurse. This course builds on an understanding of professional ethics, safety/ environmental responsibilities, and direct patient care from prior or concurrent theoretical learning courses to develop critical thinking and analysis through evidence-based practice. This course facilitates practice in the establishment, maintenance and conclusion of therapeutic relationships, and the conduct of comprehensive and systematic nursing assessment, care planning and appropriate interventions. It enables students to further explore the quality improvement processes within healthcare. The student's performance is evaluated using a clinical tool which directly assesses the competencies set by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council.



OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1.
conduct clinical practice which can be professionally and ethically justified, and in compliance with legislation and common law; (ANMC Competency 1,2 and 10), (Clinical Evaluation Tool, Interim Clinical Report and Case Study)
2.
demonstrate a commitment to professional development of self and others through attendance and participation in in-service sessions, reflection, collaboration, networking, debriefs, handovers etc; (ANMC Competency 4), (Clinical Evaluation Tool, Interim Clinical Report and Case Study)
3.
demonstrate a commitment to, and application of, "best practice" using an Evidence Based Practice and quality framework (ANMC Competency 3,4 and 10),(Clinical Evaluation Tool, Interim Clinical Report and Case Study)
4.
integrate and apply theoretical knowledge of the collaborative role of nursing by proposing and demonstrating safe and effective nursing interventions for patients/clients in written form) and in demonstrated practice during clinical placement(ANMC Competency 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), (Clinical Evaluation Tool, Interim Clinical Report and Case Study)
5.
demonstrate the ability to critically analyse events and intervene appropriately to plan, implement and evaluate safe and appropriate nursing care for clients experiencing compromised health by using systematic data collection and effective clinical reasoning strategies and, incorporating evidenced-based practice; (ANMC Competency 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10), (Clinical Evaluation Tool, Interim Clinical Report and Case Study)
6.
demonstrate appropriate professional communication in written and oral form, through shift handovers, written assignment, written documentation, referrals, telephone and face to face communication with clients, families, nursing staff, preceptor/mentor and other health professionals; (ANMC Competency 8, 9, 10), (Clinical Evaluation Tool, Interim Clinical Report and Case Study)


TOPICS


Description Weighting (%)
1. 20 days of clinical placement + 1 day debriefing and reflective practice
 70.00
2. Client Teaching
 5.00
3. Professional Communication and documentation
 5.00
4. Patient Safety/Quality Improvement
 5.00
5. Professional Boundaries
 5.00
6. Medications: Knowledge, Skills, Safety
 5.00
7. Job Application: Key selection Criteria
 5.00

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).

Tiziani, A 2006, Havard's Nursing Guide to Drugs, 7th edn, Harcourt, Sydney.

Tollefson, J 2007, Clinical Psychomotor Skills: Assessment Tools for Nursing Students, 3rd edn, Social Science Press, Melbourne.

USQ Publication 2008, Instuctional Guide NUR3499, USQ Publication.

USQ Publication 2008, Clinical Evaluation Tool, Course NUR3499, USQ Publication.



REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

ANMC 2003, Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia (Available: http://www.qnc.qld.gov.au/upload/pdfs/practice_standards/ANMC_Code_of_professional_conduct_for_nurses.pdf).

ANMC 2005, National Competency Standards for the Registered Nurse (Available: http://www.qnc.qld.gov.au/upload/pdfs/practice_standards/ANMC_National_Competency_Standards_for_the_RN.pdf).

ANMC 2002, Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia (Available: http://www.qnc.qld.gov.au/upload/pdfs/practice_standards/ANMC_Code_of_ethics_for_nurses_in_Australia.pdf).

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2007, Australia's Health 2007 (Available: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm).

Beverage, D (ed) 2005, Assessment Made Incredibly Easy, 3rd edn, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Ambler PA.

Brown, D & Edwards, H 2007, Lewis's medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems, 2007 edn, Elsevier, Marrickville.

Commonwealth of Australia 2002, National Practice Standards for the Mental Health NursesWorkforce. [full version] (Available: http://www.aasw.asn.au/adobe/publications/mental/MH_endorsed_prac_standards.pdf).

Commonwealth of Australia 2002, National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce. [pamphlet edition] (Available: http://www.aasw.asn.au/adobe/publications/mental/MH_practice_ standards.pdf).

Crisp, J & Taylor, C (eds) 2005, Potter & Perry's Fundamentals of Nursing, Australian Adaptation, 2nd edn, Elsevier, Marrickville.

Elder, R, Evans, K & Nizette, D 2005, Psychiatric and mental health nursing, Elsevier, Marrickville.

QNC 2005, Scope of Practice Framework for Nurses and Midwives (Available: http://www.qnc.qld.gov.au/upload/pdfs/practice_standards/Scope_of_practice_framework_for_nurses_and_midwives_framework.pdf).

QNC 1999, practiceGuidelines for RN's and EN's regarding the boundaries of professional practice (Available: http://www.qnc.qld.gov.au/upload/pdfs/practice_standards/Guidelines_for_RNs_and_ENs_regarding_the_boundaries_of_professional_practice.pdf).

QNC 2007, Nursing Act 1992 (QLD) (Available: http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/N/NursingA92.pdf).



STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY HOURS
Clinical Experience - Directed 160.00
Private Study 130.00


ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description Marks out of Wtg(%) Due date Notes
INTERIM CLINICAL REPORT 1.00 5.00 05 Jan 2009 (see note 1)
CRITICAL APPRAISAL ASSIGNMENT 1.00 10.00 05 Jan 2009  
CLINICAL EVALUATION 1.00 80.00 05 Jan 2009  
CLINICAL DEBRIEFING 1.00 5.00 05 Jan 2009  
NOTES
1.
As this date is the beginning of the two different block dates, please see the course guide for the exact dates for handing in of assessment items for each block.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

  1. Attendance requirements:
    It is the students' responsibility to attend 100% of the clinical placement period (160 hours) and participate appropriately in all activities (such as tutorials, in-service sessions 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 a) submit the interim clinical report, b) obtain an overall satisfactory grade on the "Clinical Evaluation Tool" (by obtaining 100% competent standard on all assessments) thus obtaining the mark of one (1), c) obtain a mark of one (1) for the assignment and e) submit a clinical debriefing via study desk.
  3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
    If students submit assignments after the due date without (prior) approval of the examiner then a mark of zero (0) may be recorded.
  4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
    To be assured of a passing grade, students must demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum standards in relation to the objectives of the course by satisfactorily completing the assignment, the interim clinical report, the clinical evaluation tool, the clinical assessments and submit a clinical debriefing. This final clinical course requires the student to demonstrate the knowledge and skills essential for the preparation in the role of a beginning practitioner. This has been recognised by employing authorities, Queensland Nursing Council and the Australian Council for Safety and Quality in Health Care.
  5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
    The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of (2) and (4) above. Satisfactory completion will result in a Pass grade.
  6. Examination information:
    There is no Examination in this course.
  7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
    As there are no examinations in this course, there will be no deferred or supplementary examinations.
  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.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

9. Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. If requested, students will be required to provide a copy of assignments submitted for assessment purposes. Such copies should be despatched to USQ within 24 hours of receipt of a request being made.
10. The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date if requested by the Examiner.
11. The examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment only in extenuating circumstances.
12. The Faculty will normally only accept assessments that have been written, typed or printed on paper-based media.
13. The Faculty will NOT accept submission of assignments by facsimile.
14. Students need to be conversant with and will require access to e-mail and internet access to USQ Connect for this course.
15. Students can expect that questions in assessment items in this course may draw upon knowledge and skills that they can reasonably be expected to have acquired before enrolling in the course. This includes knowledge contained in pre-requisite courses and appropriate communication, information literacy, analytical, critical thinking, problem solving or numeracy skills. Students who do not possess such knowledge and skills should not expect to achieve the same grades as those students who do possess them.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

  1. Students of clinical courses need to be certain they have submitted the following documents to the Faculty Office to ensure they will be allowed to proceed to a clinical placement: Current CPR Certification; Completion of the Queensland Health Orientation and Deed Poll requirements and submission of the checklist; Hepatitis B titre declaration; Confidentiality form; Blue Card.

This version produced 28 Aug 2009.
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