NSN802 Contemporary Issues in Emergency Nursing
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | NSN802 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $555 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $2,976 |
| International unit fee | $4,236 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Online
| Unit code: | NSN802 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
Specialist emergency nurses must adapt and make clinical decisions based on their scope and context of practice within dynamic and complex health care environments. Emergency nursing practice utilises complex evidence-based knowledge, technologies and management protocols that require specialist knowledge and skills to apply in the provision of person-centred care across the lifespan. This unit will develop your knowledge and skills to practice with individuals and families in specialist emergency nursing settings and in the context of the interprofessional health care team. The concepts introduced in this unit provide the basis for further study in subsequent units.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply specialist knowledge and skills to make evidence informed assessments across the life span, in the emergency, to enhance the care of the life-threatening and/or critically ill person and their family
- Critically analyse life-threatening and/or critical clinical situations in the emergency setting to implement and evaluate evidence-based, culturally safe solutions
- Communicate evidence-based recommendations to justify provision of nursing practice in the specialty of emergency nursing
- Examine the impact of external threats to patient centred care delivery in the emergency department
Content
Specialist Emergency Nurses need a thorough understanding of critical and life-threatening illnesses, from basic pathophysiology to advanced interventions.
Content in this unit focuses on:
- critical concepts in respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal, spinal, and endocrine emergencies
- specific mechanisms and pathophysiological processes critical to emergency nursing practice, such as trauma, shock, sepsis, burn injuries, and end-of-life care
- Contemporary issues and external threats to the ability to provide specialist emergency care are discussed in the context of current regulatory frameworks for acute care within Australia.
Underpinning the content and unit outcomes for this unit are the practice standards for the specialist emergency nurse produced by the College of Emergency Nursing Australasia. Assessment planning an intervention in critical and life-threatening illness is underpinned by the HIRAID (History, Red Flags, Assessment, Interventions, Diagnostics) framework.
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn through engaging in the following:
- Workshops (online) to support knowledge development and academic literacy skills
- Online self-directed learning
- Peer review/feedback
- Individual research and readings
- Collaborative activities; and
- Virtual Simulation.
In undertaking this unit you will be working in a clinical practice setting and drawing on this experience.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you through the following:
- Formative feedback in workshops and activities
- Comments and grading via rubrics on summative assessment
- Feedback from industry peers.
Assessment
Overview
The assessment for this unit is comprised of 3 summative items.
This unit will use online web based text matching software that assists you to develop the academic skills required to correctly use and cite reference material as well as check citations to determine and avoid possible instances of plagiarism.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Case Study
Students will present a case study of a critically ill patient from their clinical experience. They will describe and then critique the care provided to this patient in line with the current best available evidence.
Assessment: Clinical Performance Assessment
Clinical Performance Assessment
Achieved / Not Achieved (You must receive 'Achieved' on each competency area of the CPAT to pass this assessment item).
A structured assessment format will be used to provide clear and specific feedback regarding your progress. Clinical competencies are based on the Specialist Practice Standards of the College of Emergency Nursing Australasia (CENA) or the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN Ltd.) Practice Standards for Specialist Critical Care Nurses. The Clinical Performance Assessment Tool (CPAT) will be assessed by appointed Clinical Lecturers in the clinical practice setting.
- Students will need to gain experience with management of the mechanically ventilated patient to complete this CPAT.
- Students will be required to reflect on their practice and capabilities within their clinical speciality to successfully complete this assessment.
Threshold Assessment:
You must pass each section of the CPAT tool in order to successfully pass this unit (Threshold assessment conditions apply).
Assessment: Examination
Students will undertake a formal written examination of the content contained within the unit. This will comprise case studies, short answer questions, and multiple choice questions.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
In undertaking this unit, students must meet the inherent employment requirements.
Risk Assessment Statement
As a student undertaking this unit you are required to be working in your nominated clinical speciality area. As such, you will be exposed to risks encountered in the practice of nursing. Students are required to follow the same health safety guidelines that apply to all staff in the workplace. In addition, measures to control exposure to risks include:
- Orientation to the health care agency
- Appropriate theoretical and practical preparation
Emergency procedures
All facilities require that their health workers become familiar with local emergency procedures. It is your responsibility to locate fire exits, emergency procedures and complete CPR drill and fire safety as required.
Confidentiality
In relation to your CPAT, you must treat all information regarding clients and their families with the utmost confidentiality. Information that is documented as part of your learning experiences must preserve client anonymity and confidentiality. Classroom discussion should also adhere to these principles.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.NS32 Graduate Certificate in Nursing
- Demonstrate and apply advanced health care knowledge and skills in a specialist nursing area.
Relates to: Case Study, Clinical Performance Assessment, Examination - Critically analyse, evaluate, and reflect on specialist nursing knowledge, evidence and practice to improve patient care and health outcomes.
Relates to: Case Study, Clinical Performance Assessment, Examination - Use evidence-based theories and frameworks to inform emerging leadership practice in nursing and interprofessional collaborations.
Relates to: Case Study, Examination - Communicate complex evidence-based knowledge through education, professional communication, and a range of digital technologies.
Relates to: Clinical Performance Assessment, Examination
NS95 Master of Nursing
- Apply advanced knowledge and skills to manage and improve nursing practices across diverse and complex contexts to improve health outcomes and service provision.
Relates to: Case Study, Clinical Performance Assessment, Examination - Critically analyse evidence to inform decision-making in advanced nursing and interprofessional care contexts.
Relates to: Case Study, Clinical Performance Assessment, Examination - Design and develop ethically appropriate research and/or professional plans that respond to a gap in health care that informs best practice.
Relates to: Case Study - Communicate complex evidence-based findings through professional dissemination using a range of digital technologies.
Relates to: Clinical Performance Assessment, Examination