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Unit outline_

NURS5006: Illness Experience and Nursing Care

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study focuses on the ways in which individuals subjectively experience illness and care. The unit also introduces students to the qualitative research methodologies used to explore illness experience; a range of illness experiences are then examined. Attention is drawn to such factors as illness and the body, emotions arising in illness, issues of self-identity and social attitudes to illness and disability. With this knowledge about illness experience in mind, the nurse-patient relationship underpinned by the concept of patients as partners is then critically examined. Within a communication-based framework, students focus on ideas about therapeutic listening and use of self, as well as the concept of knowledge transfer as it is relevant to nurse-patient interactions. Students also engage with contemporary debates about the nature of nurse-patient interactions and relationships and explore the way these might vary in different health care settings, and with people from different social and cultural backgrounds, including indigenous people. These new skills are then applied during a professional experience placement with an emphasis on therapeutic and interprofessional communication.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
NURS5081
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Horas Wong, horas.wong@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Horas Wong, horas.wong@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Rose McMaster, rosanna.mcmaster@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Placement hurdle task Assessment 5: Off-campus clinical placement
Clinical placement
0% Multiple weeks 80 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment group assignment Assessment 1A: In-class group work 1
in-tutorial group work
7% Week 03 1 hour (during tutorial)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
Assignment Assessment 2: Individual recorded presentation
Presentation will focus on critical appraisal of QUAL studies
34% Week 06
Due date: 04 Sep 2024 at 23:59
10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
Small continuous assessment group assignment Assessment 1B: In-class group work 3
in-tutorial group work
7% Week 07 1 hour (during tutorial)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
Online task hurdle task Assessment 4A: Pre-ICE workshop quiz
Interprofessional Communication Education (ICE) pre-workshop quiz
0% Week 07 Refer to ICE Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO3
Participation hurdle task Assessment 4B: Post-ICE workshop care plan
Groupwork completed during workshop
0% Week 08 1.5 hrs
Outcomes assessed: LO3
Small continuous assessment group assignment Assessment 1C: In-class group work 3
in-tutorial group work
7% Week 10 1 hour (during tutorial)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
Assignment Assessment 3: Individual mini-qualitative research
Research on illness experience
45% Week 12
Due date: 23 Oct 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Please note: Each student must submit all assessment items to be eligible to pass this unit. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment Name

Overview

Weight

Key Outcomes

Assessment 1a, 1b, and 1c: In-tutorial short questions

These tasks are designed to help students keep up with the unit's readings and encourage collaborative learning with their peers. Before each tutorial, students will receive a list of readings and questions. During the tutorial, students will work together in groups to answer a worksheet containing short questions related to the readings. The worksheet must be submitted by the end of the tutorial to complete this assessment.

7% x 3 = 21%

LO 1, 2, 5

Assessment 2: Critical appraisal on qualitative studies (Pre-recorded presentation)

Each student will create a 10-12 minute pre-recorded video presentation based on a chosen scenario. The presentation should cover literature search strategies, a critical appraisal of each paper, and recommendations based on the findings. Additionally, students must design five questions for the patient in the chosen scenario. The presentation, slides, speaker notes, and full-text articles must be uploaded to Canvas.

34%

LO 1, 2, 3, 5

Assessment 3: Mini-qualitative interview on illness experience

This assessment consists of two parts. In Part 1, students will conduct an interview with an individual who has personal experience with a health condition. Using a maximum of 1500 words, students need to apply one or two theories studied in class concerning the body and illness to explain the interviewee's experience. In Part 2, students will critique the questions they designed in Assessment 2, based on communication micro-skills learned throughout the semester and feedback received. The critique should be approximately 500 words.

45%

LO 1, 2, 5

Assessment 4a and 4b: Interprofessional Communication Education (ICE) activities

To pass NURS5006, students must complete this assessment, although it is non-weighted. This activity involves collaborating with students from the medicine and pharmacy disciplines as part of Interprofessional Communication Education (ICE). All necessary resources for these activities are available on a separate Canvas site.

Non-weighted, mandatory task

LO 3

Assessment 5: Off-campus clinical assessment

Active participation and full attendance are indispensable for successfully completing this assessment. A satisfactory grade is required to pass NURS5006.

Hurdle

LO 1, 2, 3, 4

 

 

 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Clinical placement Clinical practice (80 hr) LO3 LO4
Week -01 1. Introduction and unit overview; 2. Information on clinical placements Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 01 1. Bodies and boundaries; 2. Illness and the body Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Health, illness and surveillance Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Researching illness experiences: qualitative methodologies Lecture (2 hr) LO5
Tutorial 1 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Guest speakers: personal illness stories Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Guest speaker: illness story Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Person-centred care Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 1. Emotional labour; 2. Therapeutic communications Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Tutorial 2 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 07 The nurse-patient/family relationship with older persons in acute hospital settings Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Hospitalisation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Independent study (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Interdisciplinary communication skills (interprofessional activity) Science laboratory (1.5 hr) LO3
Communication micro skills Science laboratory (2 hr) LO4
Week 08 1. Nurse-patient communication on sensitive and difficult topics; 2. Managing stress and distress in nursing practice Lecture (2 hr) LO3
Communication microskills with actor Science laboratory (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Interdisciplinary communication skills (interprofessional activity) Science laboratory (1.5 hr) LO3
Week 10 1. The nurse-patient relationship in adolescent nursing; 2. Revision and discussion about Assessment 4 Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Tutorial 3 Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney Nursing School Resolutions specifically outline attendance requirements. Resolution 7.2 states that if students are absent without leave for more than 10% of classes in a particular unit of study in any one semester, the Dean may call upon them to show cause why they should not be deemed to have failed that unit of study. 

It is expected that all students participate and fully engage in the content of this unit of study by attending lectures, tutorials and laboratories, being prepared for tutorials and laboratories, contributing to discussions in class and online, and providing and receiving feedback in a respectful and dignified manner.

Students must also attend 100% of all clinical simulation laboratories (CSL) and off campus clinical, which are supplemented with online and group activities.

Please note: Clinical placement is required to be completed within 8 months of the theoretical component or you will receive an absent fail for the Unit of Study, see:

Clinical Placement Provisions

10(7) Students who do not satisfactorily complete a unit specific clinical placement within eight months of completion of the theoretical component of the associated unit of study will receive an absent fail grade for the unit of study. 

This means your non-attendance for this allocated placement will result in an Absent Fail grade for the unit. The rules relating to your degree are externally accredited by ANMAC so there is little flexibility, and these are designed to support application of theory to practice and ultimately patient safety.

Referencing style: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 7th Edition, 2020 as its official referencing style. This is an author-date style of referencing.

Assignment formatting guidelines: Unless the unit coordinator has indicated otherwise, please make sure your submitted assessments are formatted as follows:

  • font: use Calibri or Times New Roman in 11 - 12 point
  • double line spacing
  • margins: 2.5cm each side
  • use page numbers
  • refer to assessment instructions for use of title and headings

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Reading forum 1

Reading Forum 2

  • Monaro S, Pinkova J, West S, Gullick J. (2018) The chaos of hospitalisation for patients with Critical Limb Ischaemia approaching major amputation. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2018 27(19-20); 350-3543.
  • Hefler, M. Carter, S.M., (2017) Smoking to fit a stigmatised identity? A qualitative study of marginalised young people in Australia Health (London). 2017 Nov 1:1363459317745690. doi: 10.1177/1363459317745690.
  • Teurer, J., Jean-Pal, N., Cheyney, K., Koro-Ljungberg, M., Stevens, B. (2015) Wearing the label of Mental illness: Community-based participatory action research of mental illness stigma. The Qualitative Report 20(1): Article 3, 42-58
  • Dale, C., Carbone, S., Gonzalez, A., Nguyen, K., Morre, J., Rose, L. (2020) Recall of pain and discomfort during oral procedures experienced by intubated critically ill patients in the intensive care unit: a qualitative elicitation study. Canadian Journal of Pain 4(3); 19-28

Reading Forum 3

  • Just read findings section of Gullick, J., Wu, J., Reid, C., Tembo, A., Shishegar, S., Conlon, L. (2020) Heideggerian structures of Being-with in the Nurse-Patient relationship: modelling phenomenological analysis through qualitative meta-synthesis Medicine Health care & Philosophy 23(4):645-664.
  • Floyd M, Martin O, Eckloff K. (2020) A qualitative study of transgender individuals’ experiences of healthcare including radiology. Radiography 26(2020): e38-e44
  • Jennings, W., Bond, C., Hill, P. (2018) The power of talk and power in talk: a systematic review of Indigenous narratives of culturally safe healthcare communication. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 24(109-115.
  • Kabat-Farr, D & Crumley, E. (2019) Sexual Harassment in Healthcare: a psychological perspective. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. 24(1): Manuscript 4

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the nature of human experience, reality construction, subjectivity and meaning making, particularly in relation to experiences of illness
  • LO2. explore and articulate a coherent understanding of the range of human emotions and behaviours that can occur in response to illness across a range of contexts and diverse cultural groups
  • LO3. develop and demonstrate in clinical practice, the ability to communicate within interpersonal relationships in health care and to think critically about how these relationships might impact upon on patient comfort, health outcomes and family experience
  • LO4. develop and demonstrate in clinical practice, beginning skills in therapeutic listening to foster engagement, promote empathy and to respond appropriately to the communication needs of specific patient groups
  • LO5. identify and critically analyse published qualitative research articles demonstrating a variety of methodological approaches

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1. Standard 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice
1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice
1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice
1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures
LO2
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1. Standard 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice
1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice
1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice
1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures
6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people
LO3
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1. Standard 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice
1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice
1.6. Maintains accurate, comprehensive and timely documentation of assessments, planning, decision- making, actions and evaluations
2.1. Establishes, sustains and concludes relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships
2.6. Uses delegation, supervision, coordination, consultation and referrals in professional relationships to achieve improved health outcomes
2.7. Actively fosters a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports person- centered care
2.8. Participates in and/or leads collaborative practice
3.2. Provides the information and education required to enhance people’s control over health
3.5. Seeks and responds to practice review and feedback
3.7. Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people
5. Standard 5: Develops a plan for nursing practice
5.2. Collaboratively constructs nursing practice plans until contingencies, options priorities, goals, actions, outcomes and timeframes are agreed with the relevant persons
LO4
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1. Standard 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice
1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice
1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures
2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights
2.3. Recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life
5.2. Collaboratively constructs nursing practice plans until contingencies, options priorities, goals, actions, outcomes and timeframes are agreed with the relevant persons
6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people
LO5
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1. Standard 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice
1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice
2.3. Recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.2 A P Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice
1.3 P A Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures
1.4 P A Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions
1.5 P Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions
1.6 P A Maintains accurate, comprehensive and timely documentation of assessments, planning, decision- making, actions and evaluations
2.1 P A Establishes, sustains and concludes relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships
2.2 A P Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights
2.3 A P Recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life
2.5 P Advocates on behalf of people in a manner that respects the person’s autonomy and legal capacity
2.6 A Uses delegation, supervision, coordination, consultation and referrals in professional relationships to achieve improved health outcomes
2.7 A Actively fosters a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports person- centered care
3.2 P Provides the information and education required to enhance people’s control over health
3.4 P A Accepts accountability for decisions, actions, behaviours and responsibilities inherent in their role, and for the actions of others to whom they have delegated responsibilities
3.5 P Seeks and responds to practice review and feedback
4.1 P A Conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate
4.2 P Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice
5.1 P Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan
5.3 P Documents, evaluates and modifies plans accordingly to facilitate the agreed outcomes
6.1 A P Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people
6.2 P A Practises within their scope of practice
6.5 P A Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation
7.1 P Evaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes
7.3 P A Determines, documents and communicates further priorities, goals and outcomes with the relevant persons

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The number of readings has been reduced, given the number of assessments and learning activities in this unit. This is based on student feedback that not all readings are completed. Content on sexual harassment has been strengthened due to student concerns and a renewed focus on this issue by the school.

Off-campus clinical experience: For this unit, students are required to undertake 80 hours of clinical experience in a primary health care setting. This clinical placement will take place in general practice or primary health care facility and depending on the facility, will allow you to explore communications and patient assessment skills, observing human growth and development, observing pre and post hospital presentations, and the presentation and treatment of chronic diseases.

More information can be found on Canvas.

Sensitive materials in teaching: Please note that in this Unit of Study sensitive and potentially distressing or disturbing content might be presented and/or discussed from time to time. This may include reference to for example, discrimination, assault, suicide, illness, death and dying or culturally sensitive issues. These topics are relevant to your learning and your knowledge and skill development for nursing practice.

You will be advised before the information/topic is presented. If you are participating in the teaching session/activity online, you are advised to use headphones and ensure that anyone not participating in the session cannot see images that you may be watching on your device. If the nature of the content makes you feel uncomfortable or distressed, it is important that you contact the unit coordinator or another member of the academic team to discuss this with them.  

Work, health and safety

Due to COVID-19

  • Social distancing will be observed during face-to-face communications microskills labs, with smaller class sizes
  • Lectures will be held in real-time online format.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.