Unit of study descriptions
Postgraduate advanced learning courses |
Master's degree capstone units of study
Postgraduate advanced learning courses
CLIN5021 Reading Topic
Credit points: 6
Session: 1 & 2
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: 5000 word essay (100%)
Campus: Mallett Street
Prerequisite: none
Delivery mode: Distance Education/Intensive on campus
Note: Department permission required for enrolment.
The reading topic provides students with the opportunity to examine the literature on a defined topic of their choice. Enrolment in this unit requires the permission of the Head of Department, who will appoint an appropriate supervisor, in consultation with the student. The student is expected to pursue their investigation as an independent scholar under the guidance of their supervisor and to prepare a scholarly paper as a result of their investigation of the literature.
NURS5012 Assessment & Clinical Judgement
Credit points: 6
Session: 1
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: clinical assessment, essay, clinical case study
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
The ability to undertake a focused and comprehensive patient assessment is fundamental to nursing practice. Undertaking patient assessment allows nurses to gather the requisite information to make sound clinical judgements. Thus this unit of study places an emphasis on the systematic collection of reliable and valid assessment data. This unit of study examines the knowledge, capabilities and clinical skills required to undertake comprehensive health assessment inclusive of physical and mental health status in complex clinical situations. Underpinning any patient assessment is a detailed understanding of normal physiological processes and the ways in which illness and injury alters these processes. In this unit of study students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to synthesise concepts of altered physiology and patient assessment with the implementation and evaluation of appropriate management strategies.
NURS5054 Emergency Nursing Practice
Credit points: 6
Session: 2
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: essay, exam
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: NURS5059 Foundations of Clinical Practice
Emergency nursing practice is characterised by a diversity of clinical presentations which range from those requiring minimal care to those with complex or life-threatening clinical presentations or injury. This variation in clinical presentation requires emergency nurses to have a strong foundation in patient assessment and associated physiological knowledge, both which are key components of this unit of study. Acknowledging the diversity of clinical presentations, in this unit of study we will specifically examine the assessment and management of the most common illness or injuries seen in the emergency department, including those requiring resuscitation. Management of patients with these clinical conditions will be explored, specifically focusing on the evidence-base of interventions and their influence on patient outcome.
NURS5055 Intensive Care Nursing Practice
Credit points: 6
Session: 2
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: essay, exam
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: NURS5059 Foundations of Clinical Practice
Critical illness is associated with rapidly changing clinical presentations consequently nurses providing care for the critically ill must integrate complex physiological knowledge with advanced assessment skills in order to make sound clinical decisions. In this unit of study students will explore a variety of clinical presentations including those associated with single and multiple organ failure; traumatic injury; and chronic and complex illness. Management of these clinical conditions will be explored, specifically focusing on the evidence-base of interventions and their influence on patient outcome. Critical illness is also associated with short and longer term consequences for psychosocial wellbeing of both the patient and their family. As such an emphasis will be place on the experience of critical illness, psychosocial recovery and the influence of critical illness on the family unit.
NURS5056 The Biology of Cancer and Haematology
Credit points: 6
Session: 1
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: essay, exam
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
This unit of study will provide the scientific basis for cancer and haematology nursing practice. Students will examine, in detail, biological concepts related to haemopoeisis, immunology, carcinogenesis, genetics and epigenetics. Recent advances in the understanding the biology of cancer will be critiqued. This unit of study will provide a framework and foundation for understanding the impact of both malignant disease and the therapeutic management. Biological and physiological principles that support cancer treatments will be reviewed in detail. A detailed understanding of the biology of malignant disease together with that of the physiological effect of treatment is imperative for developing skills and capacity in specialist cancer and haematology nursing practice. Strategies to support physiological function and manage complex clinical presentations will be examined with students undertaking critical appraisal of treatment guidelines.
NURS5057 Cancer & Haematology Nursing Practice
Credit points: 6
Session: 2
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: online activity, seminar presentation, annotated bibliography
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
This unit will explore interventions in cancer and haematology nursing practice throughout the malignant disease trajectory. Nursing interventions and practice in the management of clinical conditions will be examined and critiqued, focusing on the evidence-base of interventions and their influence on patient outcome, specifically in; screening; preparation for major treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy and stem cell transplantation; and the critical role in facilitating recovery. The growing research on survivorship issues will be reviewed and critiqued, and the integral role of nurses in delivering palliative care analysed. Communication and optimal health management will be areas of focus in this unit of study.
NURS5058 Navigating the Cancer Experience
Credit points: 6
Session: 2
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: clinical assessments, reflective assessment, case study
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
This unit of study will examine the diagnoses and treatment of cancer as experienced by the patient and their family, within the context of a national and global perspective. Students will examine how culture, age, socio-political situations and health beliefs can influence the cancer experience. This unit of study will draw on a range of media (narrative, film, audio, images) that inform the understanding of cancer and haematological illness experiences. Sub-specialty case studies in Haematology; radiation oncology; surgical oncology; medical oncology; palliative care; or paediatric oncology will be used to guide learning, and concepts examined in cancer and haematology nursing practice will be drawn on to underpin work throughout the case study. Approaches to patient management within the total patient experience will focus on collaborative decision-making and the ways in which synthesised evidence informs patient care.
NURS5059 Foundations of Clinical Practice
Credit points: 6
Session: 1
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: annotated bibliography, exam
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
Increasing patient acuity in the hospital environment requires a sound understanding of alterations to normal physiological processes which assists nurses to make decisions about patient assessment and management. Within this unit of study an emphasis will be placed on exploring alterations to key physiological concepts and the associated patient assessment and management. Within in the context of these altered physiological states the acquisition of clinical assessment data, such as that obtained from laboratory and diagnostic testing, will be interpreted and applied to specific patient clinical presentations. Strategies to support physiological function and manage complex clinical presentations will be examined with students undertaking critical appraisal of treatment guidelines.
NURS5060 Complexity of Critical Illness & Injury
Credit points: 6
Session: 2
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: case study, clinical assessments, clinical portfolio
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: NURS5059 Foundations of Clinical Practice
Corequisite: NURS5054 Emergency Nursing Practice or NURS5055 Intensive Care Nursing Practice
Patients who experience severe traumatic injury or episodes of critical illness require advanced assessment and management in the pre-hospital phase, during transport to and stabilisation in the emergency department, and ongoing care in the intensive care unit. The critical illness/injury trajectory is complex and interdependent and effective care at each stage requires an appreciation of the care which has been provided as well as an understanding of potential ongoing management of the patient. In this unit of study we will examine the critical illness/injury trajectory from physiological and psychosocial perspectives. An evidence-based approach to patient management will focus on collaborative decision-making and the ways in which synthesised evidence informs patient care. This unit of study allows students to consolidate theoretical underpinnings of their practice and demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills and attributes required to care for critically ill or injured patients through the completion of clinical assessments.
NURS5061 Expanding Clinical Nursing Practice
Credit points: 6
Session: 1
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: essay, guideline development
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Nurses working in senior clinical positions assist in providing care to groups of patients and their families, both directly and indirectly. In doing so nurses must incorporate individual need with the requirements of the department/unit, hospital and area health service. The provision of coordinated patient care is supported by organisational structures at the hospital and area health service level, which are guided by the NSW Department of Health. Nursing practice is also informed by relevant nursing professional bodies and associations. The aim of this unit of study is to explore local, state, national and international social and political issues that impact on clinical nursing practice in Australia. Within this context issues examined will include concepts such as the development of the specialist nurse, advanced nursing practice and the advanced practice nurse, case management theory, scope of practice, professional guidelines for nursing practice, models of care, service provision and workforce issues that impact on practitioner practice. In this unit, students will explore ways in which government and professional bodies provide information, which supports decision-making regarding the provision of patient care. Additionally, as part of expanding the individual nurse’s repertoire, students will be encouraged to broaden their specialty knowledge and nursing practice and will have the opportunity to further develop specialist knowledge and/or practice related to a specific practice topic.
NURS5062 Clinical Practice & Nursing Work
Credit points: 6
Session: 2
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: assignment, online journal club, “Take-home” examination
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
Students will have the opportunity to examine the nature of nursing work in relation to the effects of and assumptions underlying the models of care and ward organisation; organisation of shiftwork; occupational health and safety; workforce supply and demand and the effects of such issues on the agency and professional boundaries of nurses. The unit will examine the nature of nursing work in relation to its industrial and socio-political origins by taking a critical evaluative focus on the perceptions and practices that have shaped the construction of clinical nursing practice. Wider issues such as the impact of the knowledge economy; globalisation and the patterns of global workforce migration; and the increasing use of technology in nursing work will also be explored.
NURS5063 Managing Mental Health and Illness
Credit points: 6
Session: 1
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: case study, essay
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
This unit aims to consolidate and extend students’ understanding of a range of mental health issues and their associated management and treatment approaches. The evidence-base for mental health nursing practice will be applied to mental health issues and problems including anxiety, mood, psychotic and personality problems. The issues and needs of specific populations, including children and young people experiencing mental health problems, and the co-morbidity of mental health with substance misuse and physical health, are also explored. Therapeutic and psychopharmacological approaches to mental health issues will be critically explored with regard to their relevance and efficacy, and ethico-legal aspects of mental health nursing care and clinical decision-making addressed.
NURS5064 Mental Health & Illness in Context
Credit points: 6
Session: 2
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: essay, exam
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
This unit of study explores the experience of having mental health problems and/or crises from the perspective of consumers and their family/carers, and aims to provide nurses with the knowledge and skills to work effectively alongside consumers and family/carers as they journey through the health/illness experience. The unit explores the lived experience of mental illness and caring for the person with mental illness; the varying healthcare and socio-political contexts of mental health care delivery; mental health policy; and mental health promotion and prevention, early intervention, and rehabilitation and recovery. Mental health models of care with an emphasis on building strengths, enhancing resilience and developing effective consumer/nurse partnerships will be critically explored.
NURS5065 Interpersonal Mental Health Nursing
Credit points: 6
Session: 2
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: clinical assessments, case study
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
The foundation of effective mental health nursing care is the development of a therapeutic relationship with consumers and their family/carers. This unit focuses on the theoretical basis and philosophical frameworks for mental health nursing practice, and aims to develop communication and interpersonal skills required for building and maintaining an effective nurse/client relationship. Students will explore the personal and professional qualities of effective mental health nurses, and through practical learning experiences will develop skills in building and sustaining effective nurse/client relationships. Students will also be required to submit a clinical skills portfolio as part of their assessment.
NURS5066 Foundations in Clinical Trials
Credit points: 6
Session: Semester 1
Classes: distance education/intensive on campus, up to 5 study days
Assessment: 1500w assignment (25%), 2000w assignment (35%), exam (40%)
Campus: Mallett St
Prerequisite: none
Note: Department permission required for enrolment.
A fundamental understanding of clinical trials methods is critical to the role of both the clinical research nurse and professional. This unit of study will focus on clinical trial design from human phase I studies through to late phase trials. We will introduce, examine and critique clinical trial design features and concepts such as selecting the right patient population, randomisation and blinding, concepts of internal and external validity, defining study endpoints and choosing appropriate outcome measures. Students will also gain insight into how clinical trial questions are formulated from initial concept through to the development of a clinical trial protocol. Throughout this unit of study students will be exposed to a number of clinical trial design case studies, including those testing both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
NURS5067 Clinical Trials: Measurement & Analysis
Credit points: 6
Session: Semester 2
Classes: distance education/intensive on campus, up to 5 study days
Assessment: 3000wd assignment (40%) and poster (30%) and case study (20%) and online activities (10%)
Campus: Mallett
Prerequisite: none
Note: Department permission required for enrolment.
A fundamental understanding of biological measurement and the analysis of clinical trial data is critical to the application of clinical trials methods. During this unit of study, students will have the opportunity to develop skills in simple database design and management, design patient data collection tools and instruments such as case report form (CRFs) and demonstrate an ability to review and manage data to ensure data quality and integrity. Students will also be introduced to key statistical considerations in clinical trial study design and analysis, including hypothesis testing, determining sample size, statistical power and significance and an overview of common statistical tests used in clinical trials. Students will further develop an ability to interpret and critique data and statistics from clinical trials including how this information is translated into clinical practice.
NURS5068 Clinical Trials in Practice
Credit points: 6
Session: Semester 2
Classes: Online
Assessment: 2500wd assignment (35%) and 3000wd assignment (40%) and online activities (25%)
Campus: Mallett St
Prerequisite: none
This unit of study will provide students with the knowledge and skills of translating clinical trials methods and theory into practice. Students will be introduced to principles of clinical trial project management including the management of patient recruitment and follow up, monitoring study progress, clinical trial budgeting and funding. This unit of study will also focus on the ethical and legal framework which governs clinical trials including ethics approval, informing patients, and obtaining consent in the context of clinical trials and various patient populations. A key feature of clinical trials relates to quality assurance aspects such as documentation of study procedures and clinical trial audit, consequently emphasis will be placed on the development of clinical trials reports, results and publications.
NURS5069 Research in Nursing & Health Care
Credit points: 6
Session: 1
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: online activities, critical review, preliminary research proposal
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
This unit of study will examine and critique established and emerging ways of researching nursing and health care through discussion of the philosophical and theoretical origins of the research traditions and knowledge generation in nursing research. Conceptualisation of research questions, selection of research designs, governance of research and research utilisation in the clinical setting will be explored. Opportunities will be provided to engage in the research process with reference to clinically related situations.
NURS5070 Creating a Culture of Safety & Quality
Credit points: 6
Session: 2
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: essay, case study
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
This unit of study pursues a critical analysis of the theoretical constructs and practical applications underpinning good clinical governance in health care organisations.
Many studies identify the factors influencing a culture of safety and quality in the clinical environment and most concur with six main domains: the safety climate, teamwork, perceptions of management, working conditions, job satisfaction and stress recognition. These factors and how to influence them positively will be examined in this unit of study utilising a better practice (quality/continuity of care/health outcomes/governance) framework.
NURS5071 Strengthening Nursing Leadership
Credit points: 6
Session: 2
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: essay, portfolio
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
The need for leadership across all clinical disciplines has been shown to be integral to safe practice and strong staff morale. Providing a clear and unambiguous framework for practice and fostering skills in moral stewardship are known to enable personal growth and strong clinical care. This unit explores a range of issues for clinicians including their legal and ethical obligations, concepts of accountability and collegiality, and strategies to increase resilience and emotional intelligence. It aims to equip nurses to take initiative, create supportive and sustaining clinical environments, have the courage of their convictions, and to celebrate curiosity.
NURS5072 Expanding Cancer & Haematology Practice
Credit points: 6
Session: 1
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: online activities, practice development proposal
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
Building on the leadership and research units, this unit of study will critique the advanced specialist roles within the cancer and haematology specialities. Advanced clinical skills and knowledge in all aspects of cancer and haematological practice will be examined, with an emphasis on skills in symptom management. Potential for and opportunities in, advanced practice in cancer and haematology nursing will be evaluated, including nurse led interventions, and the location of advanced practice within an interprofessional approach to cancer, haematology and survivorship will be examined.
NURS5073 Preventing adverse clinical outcomes
Credit points: 6
Session: 2
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: essay, clinical assessments, clinical portfolio
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
The acuity and complexity of patients admitted to hospital requires registered nurses to apply advanced assessment skills and immediate interventions in order to detect and prevent further deterioration. Such early detection and early interventions may prevent the development of serious adverse events such as prolonged hospitalisation, an unexpected admission to a critical care unit, or cardiac arrest. In this unit of study students will explore the role of organisational and patient emergency response systems designed to promote early detection of the deteriorating patient and consider how these systems impact on their nursing practice. Students will have the opportunity to further integrate knowledge with technical and non-technical skills for assessing and managing the rapidly deteriorating patient. Specific consideration will be given to incorporating evidence-based principles when making judgements about patient care. The distinctiveness of each student’s clinical practice is recognised and students will be expected to explore, in depth, an area of clinical practice relevant to their current work.
NURS5074 Expanding Practice in the ICU & ED
Credit points: 6
Session: 1
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment: learning contract
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
Nurses working in leadership positions within emergency departments and intensive care units assist in providing care to groups of patients and their families. In doing so nurses must incorporate individual needs with the requirements of the department/unit, hospital and area health service. The provision of coordinated care to critically ill and/or injured patients is supported by organisational structures at the hospital and area health service level, which are guided by Intensive Care and Emergency Department Planning services through the NSW Department of Health. Practice is also informed by professional bodies such as the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN) and the College of Emergency Nurses Australasia (CENA). In this unit of study students will explore ways in which government and professional bodies provide information which supports decision making regarding the provision of care to critically ill and injured patients. Additionally, as part of expanding the individual nurse’s repertoire, students will be encouraged to broaden their knowledge of intensive care and/or emergency nursing practice and will have the opportunity to develop a indepth understanding of a specific practice issue.
NURS5075 Expanding Practice in Mental Health
Credit points: 6
Session: 1
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment:
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
This unit aims to extend students’ ability to engage in advanced mental health nursing practice. Theoretical and philosophical approaches to a range of therapeutic strategies will be examined, and the nature of effective and ineffective interpersonal relationships critically explored. Through application of evidence-based knowledge, students will explore individual, family, and group therapeutic strategies, including psycho-education, relaxation strategies, group training, stress management, problem-solving skills, and social skills training. Students will be provided with structured learning experiences to extend their practice in these areas.
NURS5076 Pathophysiological Phenomena in Nursing
Credit points: 6
Session: 1
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment:
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
This unit of study focuses on pathophysiological concepts and processes related to the human response to disease and illness. Using a conceptual approach, students are provided with the opportunity to apply research findings to gain a deeper understanding of patient assessment findings. The conceptual approach assists students to focus on clinical problems encountered across common disease categories and populations, become more systematic in making observations about events or conditions that influence patient signs and symptoms and formalise questions that serve as the basis for further investigation. The application of these processes and concepts provides a knowledge base for registered nurses to improve clinical judgments and decision-making in the management of patients with complex changes in health status.
NURS5077 Quality Use of Medicines in Practice
Credit points: 6
Session: 2
Classes: up to 5 study days
Assessment:
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: Pharmacology for Advanced Practice
With reference to one of the central objectives of Australia’s National Medicines Policy, the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM), students will focus on developing skills related to selecting management options wisely considering the risk and benefit to the consumer, choosing suitable medicines if a medicine is considered necessary and using medicines safely and effectively. Students will explore the regulatory framework associated with medication management and focus on clinical pharmacological therapies relevant to their specialist area of practice as an advanced practitioner.
NURS5087 Developing Nurse Practitioner Capability
Credit points: 12
Session: 1
Assessment:
Campus: Intensive on campus
Prerequisite: Completion of prescribed 36 credits
This unit of study will assist students to extend their specialty-focused development of advanced and extended nursing practice. The unit provides direction and mentorship in assisting students develop their knowledge and skills in relation to the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (2006) Competency Standards for the Nurse Practitioner and which will therefore be suitable for demonstrating their capability to practice as a Nurse Practitioner. Selected current clinical and professionally related topics including: clinical judgment and decision making in advanced practice, risk benefit and risk management, judicious referrals, interdisciplinary practice, health promotion and counselling skills and the ethical and legal considerations of practice as a future Nurse Practitioner will be explored both within the classroom and during a specified period of partnered clinical practice with an approved clinical supervisor (senior clinician whose work relates to the student’s clinical focus).
NURS5088 Pharmacology for Advanced Practice
Credit points: 6
Session: 2
Assessment:
Campus: Intensive on campus
Prerequisite: none
This unit of study aims to empower the advanced practice nurse through an in-depth understanding of medications in relation to their origin, chemical structure, preparation, administration, their actions on physiological and pathophysiological processes and their metabolism and excretion.
NURS5089 Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
Credit points: 6
Session: 1
Assessment:
Campus: Intensive on campus
Prerequisite: none
Diagnostic reasoning is the hallmark of an expert Nurse Practitioner. The ability to gather and judge the value of perceptual and clinical information to inform choices and provide benefit to patients with minimal risk of harm is at the heart of advanced practice nursing. Nurse practitioners are required to make effective practice decisions and use informed judgement, frequently in the context of uncertainty and for patients with complex health problems. Viewed from both the concept of information processing (Information Processing Model) and skilled know-how (Hermeutical Model), this unit focuses on the examination of health-assessment techniques and the processes of clinical judgement to develop diagnostic reasoning behaviours.
NURS5091 Simulation-based Learning in Health
Credit points: 6
Session: Semester 2
Assessment: 2500w essay (40%) and learning contract (60%)
Campus: Mallett St
Prerequisite: None
The use of simulation (the process of mimicking reality in an environment that can be manipulated to reflect real clinical situations) is an educational tool that is becoming increasingly prevalent in health care practice and education. Simulation activities have strong relevance to a broad range of learner levels across health professions providing a safe and controlled learning environment. Simulation can be used in task or situational training areas in order to train clinicians to anticipate certain situations and develop capability to react appropriately. Additionally, simulation has the potential to create a dynamic interprofessional learning environment, facilitating the process of learning through assessment, decision making, evaluation and error prevention or correction within the healthcare team. This unit of study will provide learners with the opportunity to critically examine the current literature related to the instructional use of simulation in health education and practice. They will become familiar with evolving theoretical frameworks associated with the use of simulation in education and explore concepts related to technical and non-technical skill development such as: participant consent and confidentiality, levels and types of fidelity, models of instruction/tuition, immersive and non-immersive scenarios, virtual reality simulation, debriefing, participant assessment and translation to practice. Students will be encouraged to further expand their clinical and theoretical repertoire by developing a simulated learning experience, based on best evidence, and linked to education outcomes.
CLTR5001 Trial Design and Methods
Credit points: 6
Session: Semester 1
Classes: discussion groups and problem based learning
Assessment: exam (40%), 3x assessments (60%)
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Delivery Mode: Distance Education
This unit of study will focus on different clinical study designs and their various strengths and weaknesses. The different phases of trials will be studied. Candidates will gain the skills necessary to choose between these designs for best practice. Types of outcomes and the appropriate analyses will be discussed. Methods of allocating participants to interventions, as well as approaches to the analysis and interpretation of the data arising from studies using these designs will be addressed. Protocol development will be covered. On completion of this unit, the student will be familiar with distinct methods of analysis relating to various study designs, as well as the principles and practice of randomisation. It is also expected that the candidate will be able to develop simple stratified randomisation scheme for their own studies.
Master's degree Capstone units of study
NURS5078 Capstone (Work-based project)
Credit points: 12
Session: 1 or 2
Classes: up to 8 study days
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: none
This unit of study will assist students to extend their development of a critically informed personal/professional position on the many issues impacting clinical nursing practice with which, as potential senior clinicians, they will continue to engage and to further develop the skills required to argue that position effectively within current clinical contexts and climates. The unit will provide a framework within which students will explore selected current clinical and professionally related situations from several perspectives. These may include those of tertiary and professional education, local, state and federal government policy development and implementation, management, and industry, workforce and regulatory perspectives. Students will also negotiate and participate in a period of partnered clinical observation with senior nurse clinicians whose work relates to the student’s clinical focus, to develop a personal portfolio which will incorporate the work undertaken during the award and extend to include guided reflection on their observation and understanding of advanced practice roles in nursing.
NURS5079 Capstone (Professional Practice)
Credit points: 12
Session: 1 or 2
Classes: up to 8 study days
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Corequisite: NURS5076 Pathophysiological Phenomena in Nursing and NURS5077 Quality Use of Medicines in Practice
This unit of study will assist students to extend their development of advanced and extended nursing practice within their specialty. The unit will provide a framework within which students will bring together the various treads of managing patients/clients as a future nurse practitioner and assist students develop a professional portfolio demonstrating their capability to practice against the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (2006) Competency Standards for the Nurse Practitioner. The unit of study will explore selected current clinical and professionally related topics including: clinical judgement and decision-making, risk benefit and risk management, judicious referrals, interdisciplinary practice, health promotion and counselling skills as well as ethical and legal considerations of practice as a future nurse practitioner. Students will undertake a period of partnered clinical practice with an approved clinical supervisor (senior clinician) whose work relates to the student’s clinical focus, to enhance clinical skills and practice by incorporating the work undertaken during the award and extend to include guided reflection on their observation and understanding of their advanced practice role.
NURS5080 Capstone (Thesis)
Credit points: 12
Session: 1 or 2
Classes: up to 8 study days
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Prerequisite: NURS5069 Research in Nursing & Health Care; one research elective
This unit of study will provide an opportunity for students with an interest in research to conduct an in-depth exploration of a topic of professional relevance. The independent work required to develop the thesis will be undertaken under the guidance of a supervisor. The thesis will be assessed in a manner suitable for determining equivalence to work undertaken during an Honours program. Completion of high level work will therefore assist students wishing to apply for Australian Postgraduate awards to support PhD candidature. It is anticipated that a student’s thesis topic will have been identified during the prerequisite units of study and students are advised to indicate their interest in undertaking the research capstone to the Director of Postgraduate Studies as they complete the first prerequisite unit of study (NURS5069 Research in Nursing & Health Care) so that specific academic advice can be provided.
NURS5092 Capstone (Clinical Trials Practice)
Credit points: 6
Session: Semester 2
Classes:]] distance education/intensive on campus, up to five study days
[[Assessment: Reflective portfolio (40%), assignment (40%), presentation (20%)
Campus: Mallett St
Prerequisite: None
Note: Department permission required for enrolment.
In this unit of study, students will extend their professional knowledge and skills through further critical analysis of issues that affect the management, conduct and practice of clinical trials. The unit provides a framework for students to undertake one of the following options: 1. Explore specific, contemporary workplace situations relevant to clinical trials practice. These situations may range from the development of a proposal for a new clinical trial, through to the development of a plan for implementation and management of a clinical trial. In this work, students will be supported to develop their expertise in working within an ethical and regulatory framework. 2. Negotiate and participate in a period of partnered observation with appropriate senior clinical trials managers or investigators, in order to develop a personal portfolio which will incorporate the work undertaken during the degree course, including guided reflection on their observation and understanding of advanced roles in clinical trials practice.
NURS6011 Practice Development Project
Credit points: 12
Session: 1 and 2
Mode of delivery: intensive mode
Students who elect to undertake this unit of study will have the opportunity to do advanced work on an area of practice, or a particular practice, in Nursing or Midwifery. The project will generally involve three stages: first, conducting a review of the available research literature; second, examining other forms of evidence, such as written policies and protocols or actual practices; and third, composing a written report on the ways in which practice can be enhanced and/or further investigated by original research. This project will be highly suited to currently practising nurses and midwives whose professional responsibilities and interests include clinical leadership, practice development and/or the use of evidence in practice.