University of Technology Sydney

93231 Empathy and Compassion for Nursing Practice

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 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Health
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): (93223 Nursing Care of the Older Person OR 92460 Nursing Care of the Older Person) AND (93227 Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing OR 92457 Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing) AND (93226 Indigenous Health and Well-Being OR 92456 Contemporary Indigenous Health and Wellbeing)) AND ( 92454 Medical Surgical Nursing OR (93200 Foundations of Nursing Practice 2A AND 93222 Clinical Practice 2A AND 93224 Foundations of Nursing Practice 2B AND 93225 Clinical Practice 2B)
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

Empathy is a required attribute for all healthcare professionals; it is fundamental to therapeutic communication and integral to safe and effective nursing care. In this subject, students build on the empathy skills and understandings developed throughout their previous BN studies. This subject incorporates immersive and experiential learning approaches informed by health care consumers’ lived experiences of diverse health issues and health care. Students develop the advanced therapeutic communication skills needed for empathic and compassionate nursing practice and have opportunities via live simulation to therapeutically engage with consumers who are experts by lived experiences.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
A. Discuss the role of empathy in leadership. (RN Standards for Practice 2.7, 2.8)
B. Demonstrate an understanding of the meaning, attributes and application of empathy in nursing. (RN Standards for Practice 2.8, 4.1)
C. Demonstrate advanced therapeutic communication skills using a strengths-based approach. (RN Standards for Practice 2.1, 3.2, 3.5, 3.7)
D. Identify and articulate the link between empathy and person centred care. (RN Standards for Practice 1.2, 1.3, 2.2, 2.3)
E. Practice empathic reflection skills. (RN Standards for Practice 2.3, 6.1)
F. Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of the lived and learnt experiences of consumers to inform care. (RN Standards for Practice 1.1, 1.7, 2.4, 2.5, 4.3)
G. Identify the need for self-compassion in nursing and its relationship to resilience. (RN Standards for Practice 3.1, 3.3, 3.6)

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)
  • Demonstrates an ability to provide holistic and compassionate care that takes into account people's lived experience, views and feelings. (1.1)
  • Works in partnership with patients including them in decisions related to their care. (1.2)
  • The embodiment of a professional disposition committed to ethical, equitable and legal nursing practice (2.0)
  • Demonstrates a commitment to social justice, valuing diversity and seeking to address disadvantage and inequity in healthcare. (2.2)
  • Demonstrates leadership and the moral courage needed to improve patient outcomes, staff well-being and organisational cultures. (2.3)
  • Demonstrates the ability to develop therapeutic relationships while maintaining professional boundaries. (3.1)
  • Works in partnership with healthcare providers and other stakeholders toward common goals that prioritise patients' values, needs and preferences. (3.3)
  • Critically reflects on and learns from previous experiences to improve future practice. (6.3)

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)

  • The meaning, attributes and application of empathy in nursing
  • Empathy and person-centred care
  • Expertise - lived and learnt experiences
  • Developing collaborative, therapeutic nurse–consumer relationships
  • Advanced therapeutic communication skills - strengths-based approaches, therapeutic optimism, empathic responding
  • Compassionate kindness
  • Empathic leadership
  • Self-compassion
  • Empathic reflection

Assessment

Assessment task 1: The use of co-design to enhance empathy and person-centred care in nursing

Intent:

Students will design an infographic that explores the use of co-design to develop empathetic understanding in healthcare.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

D and F

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

1.0 and 2.2

Type: Project
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 35%
Length:

Infographic

Assessment task 2: Digital Story

Intent:

Students will create a digital story that explores the lived experience of someone with a specific health condition and within a particular demographic.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

B, D, E and F

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

1.1, 1.2, 3.3 and 6.3

Type: Presentation
Groupwork: Group, group assessed
Weight: 30%
Length:

3-4 minutes

Assessment task 3: Empathy continuum and reflection

Intent:

Students will be provided with resources to understand their own empathetic abilities and attributes through the use of a framework which will be provided combined with reflection.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, B, C, E and G

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

2.0, 2.3, 3.1, 3.3 and 6.3

Type: Reflection
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 35%
Length:

2 x Empathy Continuum exercises (As per formatted guide provided). Reflection 1200 words.

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.