93206 Introduction to Clinical Practice
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 93202 Preparation for Clinical Practice AND 93204c Foundations of Nursing Practice 1B AND 93201 Foundations of Nursing Practice 1 A
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject prepares students for their first clinical placement and builds on and consolidate skills and concepts covered in the subject 93202 Preparation for Clinical Practice. Students develop skills in the assessment and interpretation of health data using critical thinking and the clinical reasoning cycle through the use of common patient stories and clinical scenarios that align with 93204 Foundations 1B. The clinical case studies and patient stories used in this subject are related to diabetes, obesity and mental health and have been chosen as they are identified as National Health Priorities and associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the community. Students practice within the framework of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Registered Nurse Standards for Practice and the Patient Safety Competency Framework (PSCF).
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Perform nursing assessments using frameworks and techniques appropriate to a beginning practitioner (RN Standards for Practice 1, 4, 5, 6, 7) |
|---|---|
| B. | Demonstrate an understanding of quality use of medicines related to oral medication, topical medical, rectal medication and subcutaneous medication administration (RN Standards for Practice 1, 3, 6) |
| C. | Demonstrate professional communication including clinical handover and documentation (RN Standards for Practice 1, 2, 5, 7) |
| D. | Demonstrate an understanding of person-centred care in relation to end-of life care (RN Standards for Practice 2, 6, 7) |
| E. | Demonstrate clinical reasoning, critical thinking, self-awareness and the ability to reflect on practice appropriate for a beginning practitioner (RN Standards for Practice 1, 7) |
| F. | Identify appropriate evidence based therapeutic nursing and pharmacological interventions related to patients in acute care settings (RN Standards for Practice 1, 4, 5, 6) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- The ability to plan and provide care that is respectful of each individuals’ needs, values and life experiences (1.0)
- The ability to communicate and collaborate safely, compassionately and respectfully. (3.0)
- The ability to provide patient care premised on the best available evidence (4.0)
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, students will participate in a range of teaching and learning strategies that are designed to encourage you to engage with nursing care of adults in an acute care clinical setting.
Lectures
Online lectures are provided to enable students to clarify, discuss and develop subject concepts.
Clinical skills, collaboration, communication and simulation
Students participate in clinical laboratory sessions that focus on integration of key concepts and skills. In these sessions, students are introduced to a range of nursing skills, including assessment and interventions and simulation activities. Simulation activities are practical learning experiences designed to give students exposure to a range of scenarios that may be encountered in practice. Activities include the use of audio-visual aids and clinical equipment set-ups with mannequins, teaching staff or students as simulated patients/consumers. Students learn and practice clinical and interpersonal skills in groups with case scenarios in the laboratories. These practice scenarios incorporate the development of professional communication skills including professional and therapeutic communication required for nursing practice. Students are provided feedback and with the opportunity to collaborate and develop skills to work effectively as a team member.
Patient stories and clinical case scenarios
Cases are used to help students explore health related scenarios. Cases depict patients/consumers and their families in an acute care surgical setting. Students use these scenarios to learn concepts, interpret information, form clinical judgements and develop creative solutions. Critical thinking is developed through analysis, interpretation of and reflection on issues or situations
Clinical Placement
In this subject students complete 120 hours of clinical placement. Placements are provided in a range of healthcare facilities in mostly metropolitan locations. Students provide nursing care within their scope of practice alongside multidisciplinary teams to develop and consolidate their knowledge, skills and attributes relevant to the clinical field.
All clinical placements are managed under the UTS Internships Management Policy and students must comply and act in accordance with the Student Rules, the Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy and the Equity, Inclusion and Respect Policy.
Content (topics)
- Introduction to physical assessment (A-G)
- Introduction to neurological assessment AVPU (Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive) and Glasgow Coma Scale
- Introduction to pain assessment
- Clinical assessment of vital signs – including understanding of normal and abnormal ranges for children
- Personal care & hygiene
- Aseptic technique
- Disposal of sharps
- Quality use of medications – medication administration for patients across the lifespan Oral medication, topical medication, rectal medication & subcutaneous medication administration
- Testing of blood glucose levels
- Person-centred care and family centred care
- Professional communication including clinical handover and documentation
- Application of evidenced-based practice
- Patient education and health promotion
- Introduction to end of life care
- Wound care – including wound assessment and wound swabbing for culture and sensitivity
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Introduction to Clinical Practice Quizzes
| Intent: | The purpose of this assessment is to assess your knowledge and understanding of weekly subject content with a focus on ability to interpret data and clinical decision making. The assessment is based on information explored in Canvas as preparatory work for each laboratory session. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, D, E and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0 and 4.0 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Length: | Each quiz contains 10 multiple choice questions to be completed in 8 minutes, at the beginning of each lab class. |
Assessment task 2: OSCE Practical Assessment
| Intent: | The purpose of this assessment is to assess students’ knowledge and clinical skills in patient assessment, administration of medications and clinical communication. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, C and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 3.0 and 4.0 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Weight: | 60% |
| Length: | Students will have a total of 60 minutes to complete practical assessment with their assessor. |
Assessment task 3: Safe Medication Administration
| Intent: | The Patient Safety Competency Framework for Nursing Students - Medication Safety, requires student nurses to develop knowledge and skills to be able to safely and accurately ‘administer and monitor the therapeutic use of medications; and respond appropriately to medication errors’ (Levett-Jones et al, 2017). The purpose of this assessment is to assess students’ knowledge of medication administration and their ability to accurately work through medication calculations associated with administering drugs to patients. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): B and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 4.0 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | Medication Quiz consists of 40 questions, to be completed in 50 minutes (paper quiz, during lab 4). |
Assessment task 4: Clinical Placement
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
|---|---|
| Length: | 120 hours |
Required texts
Berman et al (2021), 'Kozier and Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing', 5th Edition, Pearson Australia
Berman et al (2021) 'Skills in Clinical Nursing', 2nd edition, Pearson Australia
Levett-Jones, T (ed) (2018) 'Clinical Reasoning Cycle', 2nd edition, Pearson Australia
Recommended texts
Levett-Jones, T., Reid-Searl, K., & Bourgeois, S. (2018). The Clinical Placement. Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier
References
References used in this subject will be provided on Canvas.
Other resources
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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/.
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