Outline

Overview

This unit of study extends the students understanding of acute illness and introduces them to the complex challenges of caring for critically ill and physiologically unstable patients in high acuity settings. An important component of this unit of study is the understanding of the nursing assessment and management required when caring for patients with rapidly changing clinical conditions. Using a systematic approach to patient assessment students will develop nursing practices and interventions designed to meet the needs of these patients. In this context, specific clinical situations will be identified which include caring for patients with altered circulation, trauma, and severe sepsis. This unit also explores the high acuity environment and the technological monitoring devices that can be used to assist in the management of these acutely ill patients. It builds on knowledge and capabilities developed in NURS 5084 Nursing the Acutely Ill Person

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	NURS5082 and NURS5084 and (NURS5042 or NURS5083) and (NURS5043 or NURS5086)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Michelle Maw, michelle.maw@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Felicity Essey, felicity.elias@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Placement	Off-campus clinical performance Clinical placement	0%	-	80 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Final exam	Examination Short and long answer	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay Essay	50%	Week 06 Due date: 05 Apr 2020 at 23:59	2500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Skills simulation stations Competency assessment	0%	Week 12	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Essay: case study..
Examination: The questions in this exam explore the student’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to the conceptual information investigated in high acuity nursing. The material covered through case studies, lectures, tutorials and on-campus clinical laboratory sessions will provide the knowledge base for this assessment.
Skills simulation stations: During week 12 students will undertake a practical skill assessment. These will be a consolidation of the skills undertaken during the semester and have as the focus the assessment and management of the deteriorating patient.
Off-campus clinical performance: Students are to demonstrate safe, efficient, and effective performance of nursing practice activities associated with nursing seriously or critically ill patients in high acuity settings. The off-campus clinical experience also forms part of the clinical component in the curriculum as approved by the Nurses’ Registration Board of NSW. Students are therefore required to attend and participate in ALL (100%) of the available hours in the clinical weeks.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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 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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Introduction to the unit of study; 2. Advanced airway management	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Revision patient case study	Practical (2 hr)
Week 02	lecture 2	Lecture (2 hr)
	Arrhythmias and cardiac assessment	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Nursing practices associated with airway management	Practical (2 hr)
Week 03	lecture 3	Lecture (2 hr)
	Case study	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Central lines and access ports blood	Practical (2 hr)
Week 04	Assessment and management of the patient following trauma	Lecture (2 hr)
	Case study Triage case studies	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Advanced CPR and resuscitation equipment	Practical (2 hr)
Week 05	1. Sepsis; 2. Deteriorating patient	Lecture (2 hr)
	1. Case study	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Haemodynamic monitoring	Practical (2 hr)
Week 06	Nursing management of the person with an acute brain injury	Lecture (2 hr)
	1. Case study	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Critical decision making and prioritising management for the deteriorating patient	Practical (2 hr)
Week 07	Off –campus clinical	Clinical practice (40 hr)
Week 07	off campus clinical	Clinical practice (40 hr)
Week 08	Off –campus clinical	Clinical practice (40 hr)
Week 09	Off –campus clinical	Clinical practice (40 hr)
Week 10	NURS 6018 focus on family care	Clinical practice (20 hr)
Week 11	Acute on chronic cardiac failure	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Summary and exam preparation	Lecture (2 hr)
	Case study	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Simulation exercise	Practical (2 hr)
Week 13	Repeat simulation	Practical (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Meeting the attendance requirements is compulsory and students who are absent without good cause may not be eligible to achieve a minimum grade of PASS. The Sydney Nursing School Resolutions specifically outlines 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 Head of School may call upon them to show cause why they should not be deemed to have failed that unit of study.
Referencing guide: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 6th Edition, 2010 as its official referencing style. This is an author-date style of referencing.

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

will be on the e-reserve site

Learning outcomes

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. explore and apply clinical underpinnings that guide nursing assessment and intervention within high acuity settings
LO2. perform routine observation and assessment skills in a safe, efficient and effective manner for patients who are clinically unstable
LO3. perform safe, efficient, and effective nursing practice activities associated with a variety of common high acuity presentations in simulated and clinical settings
LO4. articulate the reasoning for the performance of such activities including an understanding of the responses to high acuity presentations of acute disruptions to health affecting individuals and families
LO5. perform more complex interventions necessary for managing patients in high acuity settings, for example, advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation, haemodynamic monitoring, advanced airway management, blood transfusions, management of multiple intravenous access lines and infusions, tracheostomy suction
LO6. analyse and apply the use of the research evidence to inform nursing practice and decision making in high acuity settings
LO7. discuss the role of technology as it relates to patient monitoring and management in the high acuity environment, and consider issues associated with the use of healthcare data and information within this context
LO8. critically examine and apply the key questions from the Framework for Practice Thinking (What could be done? What should be done? So what?) with respect to the high acuity environment
LO9. discuss and further appreciate ethical and professional responses and conduct applicable to high acuity settings.

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
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Registered Nurses Standards for 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 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions 1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions 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 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 3.1. Considers and responds in a timely manner to the health and well being of self and others in relation to the capability for practice 3.2. Provides the information and education required to enhance people’s control over health 3.3. Uses a lifelong learning approach for continuing professional development of self and others 3.4. 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. Seeks and responds to practice review and feedback 3.6. Actively engages with the profession 4.1. Conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate 4.2. Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice 5.1. Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan 5.3. Documents, evaluates and modifies plans accordingly to facilitate the agreed outcomes 6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice 6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation 6.6. Uses the appropriate processes to identify and report potential and actual risk related system issues and where practice may be below the expected standards 7.1. Evaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes 7.2. Revises the plan based on the evaluation 7.3. Determines, documents and communicates further priorities, goals and outcomes with the relevant persons
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 1.6. Maintains accurate, comprehensive and timely documentation of assessments, planning, decision- making, actions and evaluations 2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights 3.1. Considers and responds in a timely manner to the health and well being of self and others in relation to the capability for practice 4.1. Conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate 4.2. Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice 5.1. Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan 5.3. Documents, evaluates and modifies plans accordingly to facilitate the agreed outcomes 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice
	Registered Nurses Standards for 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 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions 1.6. Maintains accurate, comprehensive and timely documentation of assessments, planning, decision- making, actions and evaluations 2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights 3.1. Considers and responds in a timely manner to the health and well being of self and others in relation to the capability for practice 3.3. Uses a lifelong learning approach for continuing professional development of self and others 3.4. Accepts accountability for decisions, actions, behaviours and responsibilities inherent in their role, and for the actions of others to whom they have delegated responsibilities 4.1. Conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate 5.1. Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan 5.3. Documents, evaluates and modifies plans accordingly to facilitate the agreed outcomes 6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice 6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation 7.1. Evaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes
	Registered Nurses Standards for 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 1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions 1.7. Contributes to quality improvement and relevant research 2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights 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 3.1. Considers and responds in a timely manner to the health and well being of self and others in relation to the capability for practice 3.4. Accepts accountability for decisions, actions, behaviours and responsibilities inherent in their role, and for the actions of others to whom they have delegated responsibilities 4.1. Conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate 4.2. Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice 5.1. Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice 7.1. Evaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions 1.6. Maintains accurate, comprehensive and timely documentation of assessments, planning, decision- making, actions and evaluations 3.1. Considers and responds in a timely manner to the health and well being of self and others in relation to the capability for practice 3.4. Accepts accountability for decisions, actions, behaviours and responsibilities inherent in their role, and for the actions of others to whom they have delegated responsibilities 4.1. Conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate 4.2. Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice 5.1. Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan 5.3. Documents, evaluates and modifies plans accordingly to facilitate the agreed outcomes 6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people 7.1. Evaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 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
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality 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 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions 1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions
	Registered Nurses Standards for 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 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions 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 3.4. Accepts accountability for decisions, actions, behaviours and responsibilities inherent in their role, and for the actions of others to whom they have delegated responsibilities 4.1. Conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate 4.2. Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice 5.1. Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan 6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people 6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation 7.1. Evaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes
	Registered Nurses Standards for 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 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions 1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions

Responding to student feedback

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

Minor changes to the lab and tutorial content have been made in response to student feedback. All assignments and exam questions have been approved but the acute care team QCC. All markers participate in the comparative marking process. Reading and resources have been updated.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Please adhere to the clinical laboratory guidelines and make sure you have completed the orientation quiz.

Off-campus clinical placements will have an orientation that covers work health and safety reuqirements for each site.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

NURS6019: High Acuity Nursing

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Westmead, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect