93201 Foundations of Nursing Practice 1 A
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject provides an introduction to the nursing profession and includes topics related to professional issues and concepts distinctive to nursing. There is an introduction to patient safety guided by the elements of the Patient Safety Competency Framework (PSCF). Topics covered include the professional codes and standards that govern nursing, including the Registered Nurse Standards for Practice, International Council of Nurses’ Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct. Students develop a beginning understanding of person -centred care across the lifespan; therapeutic relationships, critical thinking and clinical reasoning. They explore concepts related to dignity, privacy and confidentiality, professional boundaries, scope of practice and culturally safe and appropriate care. Students are introduced to nursing research and the concept of evidence-based practice. This includes how to locate and appraise evidence at a beginning level, as well as the principles of academic integrity. Students develop an understanding of the principles of infection control as it relates to clinical practice and are introduced to basic nursing care concepts that align with those covered in 93202 Preparation for Clinical Practice using common patient stories and scenarios. A nursing researcher in the school is showcased in the subject to demonstrate the relevance and currency of nursing research.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Explain the legal and professional requirements of the Codes of Conduct and Ethics for nurses and the Registered Nurse Standards of Practice in Australia. RN Standards of Practice 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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| B. | Demonstrate a beginning understanding of person-centred care, dignity, professional boundaries and therapeutic communication. RN Standards of Practice 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.7, 6.1, 6.2 |
| C. | Demonstrate a beginning level understanding of cultural awareness, safety and competence, inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples. RN Standards of Practice 1.2, 1.3, 2.2, 4.1, 6.1 |
| D. | Demonstrate a beginning understanding of critical thinking and clinical reasoning, including types of clinical reasoning errors and implications for patient safety. RN Standards of Practice 1.1, 1.5, 1.6, 4.2, 5.1 |
| E. | Demonstrate a beginning understanding of types of research and evidence-based practice including the ability to perform effective searches to locate evidence and adhere to the principles of academic integrity. RN Standards of Practice 1.1, 1.7, 4.2, 5.1 |
| F. | Explain the principles of infection control as they relate to nursing practice. RN Standards of Practice 1.4, 1.2, 6.5 |
| G. | Demonstrate a beginning understanding of the principles of Medication safety as they relate to safe patient care. RN Standards of Practice 1.1, 3.4, 4.3, 6.6 |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Demonstrates an ability to provide holistic and compassionate care that takes into account people's lived experience, views and feelings. (1.1)
- The embodiment of a professional disposition committed to ethical, equitable and legal nursing practice (2.0)
- Demonstrates accountability and responsibility while working within professional codes and standards. (2.1)
- Uses information and communication technologies to access valid sources of evidence. (4.1)
- Plans and provides care based on the best available evidence including clinical expertise and patients' individual needs, values and preferences. (4.3)
- Uses clinical reasoning skills to accurately assess, interpret and respond to patient data in a systematic and timely manner. (6.2)
- Recognises and responds to human and systems factors that have the potential to jeopardise patient safety. (7.2)
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, you will participate in a range of teaching and learning strategies.
Lectures and online learning materials
This subject benefits from both the real time delivery of content and access to online resources including podcasts, videos and learning modules. Students are provided with the resources to complete approximately 60-90 minutes of preparatory work to enable engagement during face-to-face tutorials. Online lectures will enable students to quickly clarify complex descriptions and terminology, and engage with nursing leaders who are experts in their field.
Tutorials
Students will be supported and guided by a tutor and also work in pairs and groups to unpack the tutorial content using patient stories and clinical scenarios. In class content is structured to contribute to the required assessment tasks.
Students will be provided feedback from their tutor and peers with the opportunity to collaborate and develop interpersonal, communication and reflective skills.
Content (topics)
- Introduction to the Australian health care system
- Professional conduct
- Values and ethics
- Dignity, privacy and confidentiality
- Introduction to medication safety
- Introduction to critical thinking & clinical reasoning
- Person centred care & family centred care
- Introduction to cultural safety as it relates to Aboriginal and Torres’ Strait Islander people
- Therapeutic communication, therapeutic relationships & professional boundaries
- Evidence based practice including locating appropriate peer reviewed articles
- Infection control as it relates to nursing practice
- Holistic health
- Introduction to health assessments
- Self-care & mindfulness
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Person Centred Care & Patient Safety Case Study
| Intent: | Students to demonstrate an understanding of person-centred care and how to incoporate this in to their nursing practice to facilitate patient safety. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, D and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.1, 2.1, 4.1 and 6.2 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 1500 words |
| Criteria: | Marking criteria will be provided on Canvas. |
Assessment task 2: Final in-class test
| Intent: | Students to demonstrate an understanding of the content covered in the subject, including preparatory work, tutorial activities and lectures. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D, E, F and G This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.1, 2.0, 2.1, 4.3, 6.2 and 7.2 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 1 hour |
| Criteria: | Marking criteria will be provided on Canvas. |
Required texts
Berman, A. et al (Eds). (2020). Kozier and Erb's Fundamentals of Nursing, Volumes 1-3. 5th edition. Melbourne, Australia: Pearson Australia.
Levett-Jones, T. (Ed). (2023). Clinical Reasoning: Learning to think like a Nurse. 3rd edition. Melbourne, Australia: Pearson Australia.
Recommended texts
Barraclough, B. & Levett-Jones, T. (Eds). (2019). Critical Conversations for Patient Safety: An Essential Guide for Healthcare Students. 2nd edition. Melbourne, Australia: Pearson Australia.
References
Details of references used in this subject will be provided on Canvas.
Other resources
UTS Student Centre
Building 10
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)
Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts
For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and Canvas at: https://canvas.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.
The Accessibility and Financial Assistance Service
The Accessibility Service can support students with disabilities, medical or mental health conditions, including temporary injuries (e.g., broken limbs). The Accessibility Service works with Academic Liaison Officers in each Faculty to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ such as exam provisions, assistive technology, requests and strategies for managing your studies alongside your health condition. If you’re unsure whether you need assistance, we recommend getting in touch early and we can provide advice on how our service can assist you. Make an appointment with an Accessibility Consultant (AC) on +61 2 9514 1177 or Accessibility@uts.edu.au.
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