Undergraduate Certificate in Nursing Study Foundations

This subject explores the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, risk factors and investigations required to diagnose a variety of common disease states.

Disease states which affect the lifespan will be explored, with an emphasis disorders affecting adults and aged persons, focusing on the cellular changes that underlie human age-related disease.

This subject will further develop student’s knowledge on risk factors for disease including genetics, environment, lifestyle, nutrition and sociocultural risk factors. The disruption of homeostasis and mechanisms of disease such as inflammation, infection, trauma and growth abnormalities will be explored. Basic principles of microbiology will be important for infection control practices.

The biomedical and biopsychosocial models of health will be explored, to identify theories behind disease development, management and treatment. Epidemiology will be explored to consider the environmental factors which influence disease occurrence.

General investigative and diagnostic approaches will be introduced and discussed, the commonly used laboratory tests and interpretation of their findings for the diseases and conditions covered will be developed.

Disorders related to the ageing process and degeneration will be considered, to explore the common physiological changes associated to ageing and their impact on development of disease.

This subject builds on the theoretical knowledge from the structure and function of the human body, and provides the foundation to look at human disease pathophysiology, clinical presentation, common etiologies and treatment, from a person-centered approach.

Pre-requisite: SHB102 Structure and Function 

Assessment Tasks: Online Test, Report, Test 

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online, Intensive

Evidence-based practice is an essential component to the exercise of clinical judgement in the delivery of quality healthcare. Students will also gain an understanding of how research evidence is translated into practice. This subject provides students with an introduction to health informatics, research and digital literacy, critical thinking and evidence-based practice. Students are guided through the skills necessary to locate, critique and interpret a research article for application to their practice. They will become familiar with quantitative and qualitative evidence, research methodology, basic descriptive and inferential statistics and the foundational skills to be able to evaluate and appraise evidence in healthcare research.

Assessment Tasks: Online Test, Journal

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject will enhance student’s foundation knowledge of health and culture from a local, national, and global perspective. The subject provides an outline of the key features of the role of policy, politics, ideologies, resources and funding in the design, operation, and access of health care systems. This subject will provide students with an overview of the Australian healthcare system including the issues resulting from the federal/state division in healthcare. It will also explore the major global health issues and the potential impact on the Australian healthcare system. This includes emerging infectious diseases, disaster management, universal health coverage and human resources for health. This subject also aligns with the course philosophy to be “Be Good” by assisting students to understand “thinking globally and acting locally” for social good.

Pre-requisite: EBP107 Evidence Based Practice 

Assessment Tasks: Report, Essay 

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online, Intensive