93214 Foundations of Nursing Practice 3A
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
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject challenges students to begin to prepare for their transition into the role of a beginning graduate nurse and includes content related to professional issues and acute and chronic care across the lifespan.
Students receive an overview of the process for applying for new graduate nursing positions, including the application and interview process.
The professional accountability and responsibility of Registered Nurses is explored using an ethico-legal framework. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Registered Nurse Standards of Practice and Patient Safety Competency Framework (PCSF) is used as a guide to complex health care issues and decision making. Reference to current topics and case studies (including coronial cases) is used as stimulus for students to reflect on the actions of nurses where harm to patients has occurred, for example the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety . The subject further develops students' critical and analytical abilities, their competence with the variety of literacies required of professional practitioners, and their skill in the appropriate expression and communication of ideas.
The injury-focused clinical scenarios and patient studies that feature in this subject are based on Australia’s National Health Priority Areas and the impact of this health breakdown on morbidity and mortality. These align with those used in 93216 Clinical Practice 3A and are focused on the identification and management of deteriorating patients across the lifespan. In this context there is also discussion of the sepsis pathway. Patient safety is discussed using the Patient Safety Competency Framework (PSCF) as a guide.
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. | Discuss the key ethical and legal dimensions of professional practice: direct dealings with patients, collaboration with colleagues, institutional issues and policy matters (RN Standards of Practice 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.5) |
|---|---|
| B. | Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of moral courage in nursing and how this relates to the legal and ethical dimensions of practice (RN Standards of Practice 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.5, 2.7) |
| C. | Identify and demonstrate best practice in the early detection and management of sepsis (RN Standards of Practice 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 3.4, 6.1, 6.2. 7.1, 7.2) |
| D. | Demonstrate an ability to access and evaluate literature to inform practice (RN Standards of Practice 1.1, 2.7, 3.3) |
| E. | Demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge and skills required to safely administer blood and blood products to patients (RN Standards of Practice 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 3.4, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2) |
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 leadership and the moral courage needed to improve patient outcomes, staff well-being and organisational cultures. (2.3)
- 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)
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)
- Ethical & legal decision making
- The role of the coroner
- Withholding & withdrawing treatment
- Euthanasia
- Moral courage
- Transition to a new graduate nurse
- The deteriorating patient
- Injury prevention
- Sepsis pathway
Assessment
Assessment task 1: In Class Quizzes
| Intent: | Students will complete their preparation for workshops and be tested on their understanding of the content through in-class quizzes. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.1, 2.3 and 4.3 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | Each quiz will consist of 15 questions. |
Assessment task 2: Blood Safe modules
| Intent: | Education is fundamental to ensure that nurses administering blood and blood products have the knowledge and understanding to provide high-quality, effective, safe patient care. It is an ongoing process that commences in undergraduate learning and then requires regular updates and reinforcement to keep pace with changes, reduce errors and risks, and improve patient outcomes. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, D and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.1, 4.1 and 4.3 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark |
| Length: | N/A |
Assessment task 3: Legal and ethical nursing practice
| Intent: | Students will demonstrate an understanding of ethical and legal nursing practice and professional accountability related to patient safety. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.1, 2.3 and 4.1 |
| Type: | Essay |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 2000 words |
Required texts
Levett-Jones, T. (Eds) (2023). Clinical Reasoning: Learning to think like a nurse 3rd ed. Melbourne, Victoria: Pearson.
Recommended texts
Lemone & Burke (Eds). (2020). Medical Surgical Nursing: Critical Thinking for Person-Centred Care 4th ed.. Melbourne, Victoria: Pearson.
References
Other sources will be provided on UTS 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: UTS Library, 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.