92045 Instrument and Circulating Nursing
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Description
This subject is designed to enhance the students’ knowledge and understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the instrument and circulating nurse. Through the development of specialised knowledge students advance their expertise in clinical and technical skills and professional practice within the perioperative environment. The content of this subject builds on perioperative principles addressed in 92044 Core Concepts in Perioperative Nursing.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Critically examine the roles and responsibilities of the instrument and circulating nurse in planning, implementing and evaluating the care of the perioperative patient |
|---|---|
| B. | Develop specialised knowledge on a range of nursing assessments, advanced skills and interventions to enable high level person centred care across clinical scenarios with varying levels of complexity. |
| C. | Demonstrate critical thinking and reflection through exploring and discussing the needs of the perioperative patient, including those with complex care requirements. |
| D. | Analyse the potential impact of new and emerging technologies and roles on nursing practice and patient outcomes |
| E. | Apply knowledge of anatomy and surgical techniques when caring for patients undergoing a range of surgical procedures |
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, you will participate in a range of teaching and learning strategies that are designed to encourage development of your specialist knowledge to advance your clinical expertise and professional practice within the perioperative environment.
Orientation activities
Preparation for the Session - students are expected to undertake activities prior to the first week. These activities include online readings, videos, interaction with peers, and are important in helping students prepare for the subject's Assessment Tasks. This also provides students with an opportunity to meet and interact with peers. Students will learn through independent learning activities, group work, peer review, and participation in the Zoom meetings.
Independent learning activities
Relevant readings, videos and activities will be made available online relevant to the topic of the week. Students are expected to come to Zoom meetings prepared. This will enhance the students’ ability to progress successfully throughout the subject and complete assessment items effectively. The online material aims to enhance students’ understanding of the topic or delve deeper into a more specific area, compare experiences and ideas with others, and gain feedback. Information and links to all these learning activities can be accessed via Canvas as well as the subject outline.
Zoom meetings/workshops
Zoom meetings will provide opportunities for group activities and discussion, self-assessment, peer review and formative feedback from the subject coordinator. Zoom meetings will be conducted at a time that enables the majority of students to contribute. Students are strongly encouraged to attend Zoom meetings as these prepare students for the subject’s Assessment Tasks.
Feedback
Feedback will be frequent and takes several forms including self-assessment, peer review, automatic feedback from interactive activities e.g. quizzes, and from the subject coordinator. Formative feedback throughout the subject aims to increase student performance at summative assessments.
Content (topics)
This subject covers a range of topics relevant to the development of the knowledge and skills of the perioperative nurse in the roles of instrument and circulating nurse.
- Analysis of the roles and responsibilities of instrument and circulating nurses in care of the perioperative patient
- Advanced infection prevention and control strategies, including methods of reprocessing re usable medical devices
- Techniques and responsibilities in wound management
- Responsibilities in managing day stay patients
- Appraisal of current, emerging technology and nursing responsibilities
- Patient safety issues including management of physical, chemical and technical hazards
- Review of a range of surgical specialties including technical, non-technical aspects and specific patient considerations and nursing care requirements
- Care of patients with special needs – elderly, paediatric, bariatric, cognitively impaired
- Management of complex surgery, including multi trauma
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Professional Practice Knowledge and Skill Gap Analysis
| Intent: | To highlight the importance of nurses being able to identify knowledge and skill gaps within their clinical practice by undertaking a gap analysis to identify what development needs to be undertaken to attain optimal clinical practice and increased patient safety. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0, .0 and .0 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | 500 words +/- 10% |
| Criteria: | Please refer to the marking rubric for this assessment. |
Assessment task 2: Educational Resource Manual
| Intent: | The purpose of this assessment is to further develop the student’s specialist skills and knowledge in the delivery of a departmental educational manual. Demonstrating educational and clinical leadership using evidenced informed practice to enhance the quality and safety of person centred care in the anaesthetic and/or post anaesthetic care environment. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0, .0, .0 and .0 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | max 5 pages including images/tables/figures utilising font size 10 |
| Criteria: | Please refer to the marking rubric for this assessment. |
Assessment task 3: Analyse the potential impact of new and emerging technologies and roles on current and future perioperative nursing practice and patient outcomes
| Intent: | This contributes to learning by assisting students to investigate the current trends and future impact of technology on instrument and circulating nursing roles as care givers in the perioperative setting. The assessment provides an opportunity for students to explore current literature and recognise reliable current sources of evidence and relevance to their practice. This also allows students to develop a systematic approach to gathering, analysing and managing information in a meaningful way. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0, .0 and .0 |
| Type: | Essay |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | 1200 words (+/- 10%) |
| Criteria: | Please refer to the marking rubric for this assessment. |
Assessment task 4: Critical incident analysis
| Intent: | The purpose of this assessment is for students to further develop their critical thinking and reflection skills through analysis of A critical incident involving a perioperative patient. McAteer et al (2010, p.107) suggest that a ‘critical incident is one that challenges your own assumptions or makes you think differently’. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0, .0, .0, .0 and .0 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 2500 words +/- 10% |
| Criteria: | Please refer to the marking rubric for this assessment. |
Required texts
ACORN (2020) Standards for perioperative nursing – Volumes 1 & 2. Adelaide: ACORN Inc.
Rothrock, j. & McEwan, D. (2019) Alexander’s care of the patient in surgery. (16th ed). St Louis: Elsevier.
Recommended texts
Hamlin, L., Davies, M., Richardson-Tench, M. & Sutherland-Fraser, S. (2016) Perioperative nursing: An introduction. Sydney: Elsevier.
Other resources
UTS Student Centre
Building 10
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)
Details for student centres: https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/uts-student-centre
For other resources/information refer to the Faculty of Health website (https://www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and
UTSOnline at: https://online.uts.edu.au/
UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, health literature databases, workshops and bookable study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with your questions available via online chat, phone and in person. W: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666.
Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.
HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733.
Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.