93204 Foundations of Nursing Practice 1B
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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 the theoretical foundations to the nursing care of people across the lifespan across a range of clinical contexts. Content is delivered across three domains related to professional issues and acute and chronic care for people across the lifespan. There is an introduction to the National Health Priority areas of mental health, diabetes and obesity. Diabetes and obesity are discussed in terms of risk factors with students introduced to the concept of “life-style diseases”. Clinical scenarios and patient stories based on these health breakdowns provide a platform for the development of critical thinking related to assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care; as well as safe and effective medication practices. Students build on their understandings of the normal ranges for vital signs and be able to interpret the causes of deviations from normal. Research, relevant legal and ethical principles are integral to this subject. Patient safety is integrated into this subject using the Patient Safety Competency Framework (PSCF). The concept of person centred care is expanded to focus on family centred care and the responsibilities of Registered Nurses with regards to children. Topics related to clinical practice align with those covered in 93206 Introduction to Clinical Practice facilitated through the use of patient stories and clinical scenarios case studies including patients from across the lifespan. 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. | Define common terms relating to selected pharmacological and medication-related practice. RN Standards of Practice 1.1, 1.2, 3.4, 4.3, 6.6. |
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| B. | Define `Quality Use of Medicines' and explain the goals of this approach in regards to medication safety. RN Standards of Practice 1.1, 3.4, 4.3, 6.6. |
| C. | Discuss the relationship between person-centred care/family-centred care, therapeutic communication and patient safety. RN Standards of Practice 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.7, 4.1, 6.1, |
| D. | Demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities of Registered Nurses related to Child Protection. RN Standards of Practice 1.1, 2.2, 3.4, 4.3, 6.6, 7.1. |
| E. | Apply a person-centred approach to nursing care that respects the personal values and healthcare needs of patients. RN Standards of Practice 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 3.2, 4.1, 6.1. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Demonstrates accountability and responsibility while working within professional codes and standards. (2.1)
- Demonstrates the ability to develop therapeutic relationships while maintaining professional boundaries. (3.1)
- Uses information and communication technologies to access valid sources of evidence. (4.1)
- Accesses, appraises and critiques multiple sources of evidence and transfers knowledge to practice. (4.2)
- 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)
- Demonstrates technical and non-technical skills in the provision of safe effective, legal and ethical nursing care. (7.1)
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.
Academic Writing
Students are expected to comply with academic writing practices with integrity and use information ethically, legally and respectfully.
An aim of this subject is to help you develop academic and professional language and communication skills to succeed at university and the workplace. During the course of this subject, you will complete a milestone assessment task that will, in addition to assessing your subject-specific learning objectives, assess your English language proficiency.
Content (topics)
- Introduction to diabetes
- Obesity
- Introduction to mental health and wellness
- Child protection
- Consent – including minors
- Confidentiality
- Person centred care and Family centred care
- Medication safety and quality use of medicines for patients across the lifespan
- Clinical reasoning cycle
- Risk management
- Introduction to pain assessment
- Introduction to death and dying
Assessment
Assessment task 1: In class Quiz
| Intent: | For students to engage with subject material to check their understanding of core concepts covered in readings, pre-work and lectures delivered during Foundations of Nursing Practice 1B. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 4.2 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Length: | 30 MCQ in 20 Minutes |
Assessment task 2: Oral Pre-recorded video presentation- Application of evidence to answer complex disease questions
| Intent: | Critical thinking skills are imperative to effective nursing practice and the delivery of safe healthcare. Students will be allocated to a debate topic, group and position (affirmative or negative). To facilitate the development of critical thinking and communucation skills students will take a critical stance on an allocated topic, encouraging a deeper understanding of a topic and by supporting active and independent learning through self-directed research. This assessment task will also develop students critical thinking, critical reasoning and oral communication skills. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): C and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 4.2 and 4.3 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Length: | 4-5 minutes video length maximum |
| Criteria: | Marking criteria will be provided on Canvas. |
Assessment task 3: Clinical Reasoning Cycle Written Assessment
| Intent: | This assessment task is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the content covered in this subject, including preparation activities, tutorials and lectures. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the clinical reasoning cycle applied to a clinical scenario. Students will develop their clinical reasoning and critical thinking for use in clinical practice, develop and understanding of the importance of person-centred care and effective therapeutic communication, identify factors that may potentially compromise safe medication practices and assess critique and utilise academic and evidence-based resources. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): C and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 6.2 and 7.1 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 1500 words +/- 10% for in text citations |
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: https://www.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.
The Financial Assistance Service can assist you with financial aspects of life at university, including Centrelink information, tax returns and budgeting, interest-free student loans and grants to assist with course-related costs. Check eligibility and apply online and make an appointment on +61 2 9514 1177 or Financial.assistance@uts.edu.au.