University of Technology Sydney

93225 Clinical Practice 2B

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.

UTS: Health
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 93222 Clinical Practice 2A
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject provides the clinical foundations for person-centred care of patients across the lifespan. The development of critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills related to health assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care, care of “the deteriorating patient”, patient safety, cultural competence, therapeutic communication, interprofessional communication, safe medication practices and relevant ethical and legal principles are integral to this subject. The clinical scenarios and patient stories based on respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological conditions used in this subject align with those used in 93210 Foundations of Nursing 2B and represent a significant burden in terms of mortality and morbidity.

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)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
A. Demonstrate a comprehensive and person-centred approach to patient assessment and management, integrating physiological, pathophysiological and psychosocial factors (RN Standards for Practice 4 & 5).
B. Demonstrate clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills for people diagnosed with selected cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and respiratory diseases, for example asthma, heart failure and stroke (RN Standards for Practice 1, 6, 7).
C. Demonstrate a practical understanding of the administration and management of oxygen therapy and oxygen devices (RN Standards for Practice 1, 5, 6).
D. Practice quality use of medicines including administration of inhaler medication (RN Standards for Practice 1, 5, 6).
E. Demonstrate safe and appropriate communication, teamwork and nursing practice in accordance with the Registered Nurse Standards for Practice (2016) in the clinical environment ( (RN Standards for Practice 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6 & 7).

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)
  • Demonstrates an ability to provide holistic and compassionate care that takes into account people's lived experience, views and feelings. (1.1)
  • Demonstrates accountability and responsibility while working within professional codes and standards. (2.1)
  • The ability to provide patient care premised on the best available evidence (4.0)
  • The intellectual capacity to use theoretical knowledge to address complex and non-routine clinical issues (6.0)
  • Uses clinical reasoning skills to accurately assess, interpret and respond to patient data in a systematic and timely manner. (6.2)
  • The knowledge and skills required for safe and effective patient care (7.0)
  • Demonstrates technical and non-technical skills in the provision of safe effective, legal and ethical nursing care. (7.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:

  • Person-centred care
  • Evidence based practice
  • Critical thinking
  • Professional competence

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 patients in an acute care clinical setting.

Lectures
There will be online lectures 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
Patient stories are used to help students explore health-related scenarios. Patient stories depict patients/consumers and their families in an acute care 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 80 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)

  • A-G (+H) physical assessment
  • Nursing Mathematic and Drug Calculations
  • Focused assessment: Respiratory, Cardiovascular and Neurological
  • Quality use of medicines, including inhaler medications
  • Taking a 12 lead ECG
  • Continuous cardiac monitoring
  • Basic Life Support using oropharyngeal airway, bag and mask
  • Management of oxygen therapy and oxygen devices, including – a face mask (Hudson mask), Venturi mask and non-rebreather mask
  • Suctioning
  • Collection of a sputum sample

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Medication Calculation Quiz

Intent:

All Registered Nurses require proficiency in medication safety to minimize medication errors. This assessment enables students to demonstrate their knowledge of safe medication practices for adult and pediatric patients. This Assessment is designed to enhance your skills in calculating medication dosages, decrease medication errors in clinical settings, for the calculations Quiz, you must achieve 85% or above in your first attempt to pass. This Quiz will be conducted in Lab 2.

You will receive one remediation and a second attempt for the exam if you score less than 85%.If you score less than 85% on the second attempt, you will need to pass the rest of your assessments to demonstrate your capability for a 3rd attempt.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

B, D and E

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

1.0, 6.2 and 7.0

Type: Quiz/test
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%
Length:

Part A: Self-paced

Part B: 30 minutes

Assessment task 2: Think Like a Nurse Exam

Intent:

Learning to "think like a nurse" is challenging and requires commitment, practice and opportunities for the application of learning. Effective clinical reasoning skills improve the quality of patient care, prevent adverse patient outcomes and enhance nurses' work satisfaction.

The A-G (+H) approach to patient assessment assists nurses to plan and deliver appropriate care, detect subtle changes and recognise and respond to deterioration.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, B and C

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

4.0, 6.0 and 6.2

Type: Examination
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 25%
Length:

Exam - 1 hr

Questions - 40

Assessment task 3: Morbidity and Mortality Inservice

Intent:

You will be conducting an In-Service through a video presentation, known as a Morbidity and Mortality Meeting (M&M). M&Ms, or clinical review meetings, are forums where departments, specialties, or institutions can assess patient care quality and identify improvement areas. With their rich history and culture, M&Ms serve as a vital tool for tapping into the extensive expertise of clinicians at the point of care.

M&Ms often provide an excellent opportunity for clinical staff to engage in patient safety and quality improvement processes. As such, they represent a significant educational opportunity regarding these processes. Furthermore, they offer a platform for staff to exhibit appropriate professional behavior.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, B and E

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

1.1, 6.2 and 7.1

Type: Presentation
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 55%
Length:

15 Minute Video Presentation.

Assessment task 4: Clinical Placement + Clinical competency assessment + core clinical skills

Intent:

Students undertake clinical placement experience (80 hours) that will prepare them for practice in the real clinical workforce. Feedback from clinicians and clinical facilitators will support and reinforce student learning and the development of confidence in their practice. Reflection on and in practice is encouraged to enhance personal development. Clinical Placement is Pass/Fail

During this clinical placement, students will undertake an observational clinical competency assessment, including a clinical viva to ensure that their clinical practice aligns with the NMBA Registered Nurses Standards for Practice (2016) prior to entering their third year of the BN course.

Students will perform a formative core skills assessment in the clinical laboratory setting.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, B, C, D and E

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

1.1, 2.1, 6.2 and 7.1

Type: Laboratory/practical
Groupwork: Individual
Length:

80 hours

Required texts


Bauldoff, Burke, K. M., Bauldoff, G., Gubrud-Howe, P., Levett-Jones, T., Dwyer, T., Moxham, L., Reid-Searl, K., Berry, K., Carville, K., Hales, M., & Knox, N. (2019). Lemone and Burke’s medical-surgical nursing : critical thinking for person-centred care (Fourth edition.). Pearson Australia.

Berman, Snyder, S., Levett-Jones, T., Burton, T., & Harvey, N. (2021). Skills in Clinical Nursing. Pearson Education Australia.

Recommended texts

Levett-Jones, T & Reid-Searl, K. (2022). The Clinical Placement: An Essential Guide for Nursing Students 5e. Elsevier Australia.

Reid-Searle, K., Dwyer. T., Moxham, L. & Reid-Speirs, J. (2022). Nursing Student's Maths & Medication Survival Guide, 2nd ed. Pearson Education Australia.

Other resources

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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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