Bachelor of Nursing

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This subject will assist the student to develop health assessment skills including observation, therapeutic communication, physical examination techniques, psychosocial/cultural assessment and diagnostic tests that inform clinical judgement. Students will develop and practice skills in effective communication, consent, respecting persons’ privacy, work health and safety concerns. The application of clinical reasoning will enable identification of person problems that then inform person management. This subject aligns with other nursing practice subjects. This subject includes 40 hours of clinical placement.

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Evidence-based practice is an essential component of the exercise of clinical judgement in the delivery of quality healthcare. 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 in order to apply to their practice. They will become familiar with quantitative and qualitative evidence, research methodology, basic descriptive statistics and the foundational skills to be able to evaluate and appraise evidence in healthcare research.

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This subject will further develop student’s knowledge on medical terminologies relating to structure and function whilst introducing basic pathological processes operating in the body in response to injurious stimuli. The disruption of homeostasis and causal 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. Students will be introduced to the pathophysiology and symptomatology of some common disease states. Disorders related to the ageing process and degeneration will be considered, as will the impact of environmental influences such as nutrition and lifestyle, especially in the context of community and public health. This subject builds on the knowledge and skills from the structure and function of the human body and provides the foundation to look at disease, disorders and syndromes and their pathophysiology, clinical presentation, common aetiologies and pharmacological treatment, from a person centred approach in later subjects.

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This subject provides students with the skills and knowledge required to contribute to the care of the person with a chronic illness and their family/carer by assisting with nursing interventions that support the person's needs and assist in maintaining an optimal lifestyle.The focus will be on common diseases and those with the greatest burden of diseases as these are long lasting and have persistent effects. An emphasis of this subject will be on the education and promotion of community based health promotion, disease prevention and self-care.This subject includes 80 hours of clinical placement.

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This subject provides an overview of the sociology of health and illness and enables students to explore the relationship between public health and the social determinants of health and health outcomes, especially for vulnerable populations, using relevant epidemiological data and public health literature. Knowledge and skills will be expanded to translate public and population health level information into meaningful and relevant health promotion and education activities.

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The focus of this subject is on the self-care of the student nurse. This subject introduces the knowledge, skills and attitudes that enable the development of personal and professional resilience, as well as personal health and well-being. Fundamental to wellbeing, is interpersonal communication, effective relationship building and trust (including an introduction to cultural safety). Students will review the physiology of and potential impacts of stress, examining a multi-faceted approach to maintain personal safety and well-being.

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This subject introduces the basic concepts and terminologies required to study and understand the structure and function of the human body. The interaction and organisation of cells, tissues and organs will form a basis to study the physiological integration of key body systems. The maintenance and regulation of the internal environment by homeostasis at a system level and by hormonal and neural influence will be key to students understanding disruption and disease in later subjects. This subject will provide evidence based foundational knowledge in the biological sciences to guide nursing practice

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This subject introduces the practice of nursing underpinned by the philosophy of nursing and developing a professional identity. Nursing skills and knowledge are essential in caring for the person and are framed within a decision making framework. Students will work with the person to manage self-care needs, clinical measurements, infection control, and workplace safety to enable assessment of the person’s health status and promote optimal health and wellbeing. They will develop an understanding of the differing roles and responsibilities in the healthcare environment including the healthcare team, the referral system and appropriate industry terminology. A beginning knowledge of law and ethics will ensure the nursing student works within their scope of practice in their first professional practice experience which integrates theory and practice as a component of this subject. Laboratory skills practice equips students with the basic fundamental skills of becoming a nurse.

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This subject introduces the student to global health philosophies and values of primary healthcare as the framework for working with communities. The key principles of primary healthcare are explored, including health for all, health equity and access, community engagement and participation, capacity-building and advocacy. This subject includes health promotion, the application of data and concepts of the social and environmental determinants of health to communities, and the development of a range of interventions to meet the needs of communities. This subject introduces models of behaviour-change, and explores the role of the nurse in primary healthcare. This subject includes 80 hours of clinical placement.

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Understanding Mental Health equips the student with knowledge on mental health conditions and clinical environments experienced by nurses in hospitals and other settings. Students will gain an understanding on theories of mental illness and explore contemporary social and cultural impacts on mental health in Australia. Students will learn to assess the psychological state of a person, engage with and develop rapport to support persons in a therapeutic relationship, and navigate complex ethical issues.

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This subject provides students with the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to understand children and their development from infancy to young adulthood and to work with them and their families in their care. Concepts such as the developmental needs, and rights of children, of childhood and families, and the roles of parents and care-givers, interacting with parents and/or guardians, adolescents and their specific challenges are all important elements of this subject. Students will learn how to care for sick infants, children and adolescents, complexities of medication management and administration with children compared to adults, immunisation, allergies, injuries and common childhood conditions. Students will develop skills and knowledge that equips them to provide care for children and adolescents in diverse settings. Students will understand the legal and ethical responsibilities, including mandatory reporting and consent, and examine contemporary issues related to vulnerable children.

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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 and principles; as well as 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 “Here for Good” by thinking globally and acting locally for social good.

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Digital capabilities are an essential part of employability in the health and well-being sector in the 21st Century. Health informatics is the use of computer technologies and communication systems to store, transmit or analyse health information and e-Health and information and communication technologies (ICT) are widely used by Australian health professionals. Students in this course will develop their own digital fluency and learn about the role of ICT in health. The subject introduces the current and emerging range of health care technologies and data science, the role of telehealth, m-health (health applications for mobile phones) wearable technology and the internet of things, the use of health informatics such as telemedicine in rural communities and developing countries and managing and monitoring information technology operations is also covered. This is in context of interprofessional communication and also in a global perspective. Students will also discuss the role of social media and understand the legal and ethical issues as health professionals. In addition, legal and ethical issues and strategies for managing privacy and security of patient data are explored. This subject allows students to create and manage an ethical and professionally appropriate online presence and use basic multimedia elements to enhance the presentation of information.

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Care of the acutely ill person is concerned with care of adult persons in a hospital based setting. This subject equips students to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills related specifically to the assessment and management of persons experiencing an acute illness. This subject also includes a professional practice experience. This will be achieved by providing an overview of common or life threatening acute conditions; accessing healthcare; admission of person to a hospital; and application of principles of infection control, fluid balance and understanding pain management. There is a strong focus on the process involved in caring for an acute or surgical patient and this will enable students to deliver high quality, safe care to persons with either medical or surgical health needs. This subject includes 80 hours of clinical placement.

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This subject builds on the fundamental concepts of structure, function and pathogenesis learnt in Structure and Function and Human Biology and Disease subjects. Therapeutic use of Medicines introduces the concepts and terminologies required to study, understand and apply principles of pharmacology in a nursing context. Safe practice through medication management reduces the risk of patient harm, and the Registered Nurse plays a pivotal role in ensuring that policies, guidelines, legal compliance and monitoring of patient outcomes meet the National Quality Use of Medicines Policy. Students will learn about the safe storage, preparation, administration and documentation of medicines and fluids, exploring the role of the nurse and members of the multidisciplinary team. IV fluids and blood products will be studied to increase knowledge on their therapeutic use, adverse effects, interactions and contraindications. Blood group compatibility and adverse reactions to blood will be explored to prepare students to safely and competently care for patients needing blood transfusions. There will be an emphasis on the clinical application of the therapeutic use of medicines. Students will also develop awareness of complementary medicine use and their implications on nursing practice.

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This subject aims to develop an awareness of and respect for the values and knowledge of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Peoples. This subject will encourage students to consider the impact of colonial history and the influences of historical and contemporary social issues on the health and well-being across the lifespan of Australian First Peoples. Students will explore the diversity of cultural beliefs and practices across this population and critically reflect on the implications for the provision of culturally safe and effective health services to Australian First Peoples.

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This subject supports the student to consolidate theory and practice. The student will be assessed against the NMBA (2016) Registered Nurse Standards of Practice: reviewing skills and knowledge from the course and integrating practice with other health professionals to optimise person outcomes. The student's clinical experience will facilitate socialisation to the clinical practice of nursing as a graduate, enhancing skills such as therapeutic communication, time management, critical thinking, problem solving and decision making, prioritising and reflection. This subject aligns with nursing practice subjects and includes professional practice experience. This subject includes 160 hours of clinical placement.

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This subject introduces the advanced student to the low supervision and isolated practice contexts, where resources may be limited and the health care team is minimal. Such contexts require the nurse to provide not only acute or chronic care, but also a primary healthcare focus. The Subject will explore first line intervention from the perspective of stabilization and transfer, health management protocols, a comprehensive scope of practice, the psychosocial factors of living and working in isolated contexts, and population needs such as opportunistic vaccination, and providing holistic care through technology and liaison with the remote interprofessional team. It includes an integration of theory and practice to refine critical thinking and innovation as a nurse in an unpredictable environment. It equips students with decision-making, prioritising and communication skills and confidence required in isolated situations and enables them to apply their knowledge of acute nursing principles by transferring the skills they have learnt to date to situations without the usual equipment or other health care professionals. This subject includes 80 hours clinical placement.

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This subject examines the impact of critical illness on the intensive care inpatient, their family and the implications for the community. The complexity of the provision of care by the multidisciplinary team in the promotion of recovery and preservation of quality of life is examined. The nurse’s role within the multidisciplinary team and scope of practice in the delivery of life sustaining therapies is discussed. The process of and relationship between analysis and interpretation of comprehensive clinical data and the delivery of ethically sound, individualised, person-centred care is explored. Through the provision of theoretical and practical components the student will be equipped to contribute, as an advanced beginner nurse, to the provision of planned nursing care. This subject includes 80 hours of clinical placement.

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This subject focuses on preparing students for the transition from advanced student nurse to beginning Registered Nurse. This subject is aligned to the completion of the NMBA (2016) Registered Nurse Standards of Practice and reinforces for senior students the expectations and accountabilities of a prospective Registered Nurse. Students will need to undertake self-audits to build on professional identity and competency. Practice environment, quality, safety, risk management and leadership are key concepts, to augment previous knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program. Students will be required to complete a practice project that demonstrates their ability to apply critical thinking and sound clinical judgement in person centred care and metacognition skills as a future leader.

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This is the second Mental Health subject and develops professional practice skills essential for working with persons with mental health issues. Building on the previous mental health subject, this subject requires application of theoretical knowledge in a variety of contexts. This synthesises concepts of; communication, pathogenesis, socio-cultural constructs, pharmacology and therapeutic use of self. Issues such as; strengths based models, crisis assessment, de-escalation and minimising the requirement for seclusion will be examined using role play and simulation. Comprehensive mental status assessment will be the foundation for clinical judgement. This subject aligns with nursing practice subjects and includes professional practice experience. This subject includes 80 hours of clinical placement.

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This subject equips students to provide care for those in palliative care or with life limiting conditions (LLC) (not limited to last days of life care). The student will develop an appreciation of dying with dignity and quality of life lived despite limitations. Palliative care is an individual person centered care approach which specifically caters for the person, families and carers pertaining to their specific requirements. With a focus on communication skills, symptom assessment, nursing interventions, and collaborative engagement with the person, family and multidisciplinary teams across all healthcare settings. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the transition from acute/chronic conditions to life limiting conditions. The subject explores current debates such as euthanasia and the medicinal cannabis. From this, students will be required to understand the Australian legal and ethical codes, subsequent implications of the current debates and implications for End of Life Care and decision making for the person, family and carer.

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Nursing is a practice profession that integrates the theoretical knowledge and practice within a range of settings. For an undergraduate nursing student, the ability to link theory to practice is integral. This course relates to skills developed in the theory courses FPH201 First Peoples Culture, History and Healthcare, CCA206 Care of Children and Adolescents; PCC302 Palliative Care & Life Limiting Conditions and POA304 Positive Ageing . This course enables students to integrate theoretical knowledge into practice whilst caring for individuals with acute and chronic illness. Students are able to apply thebeginning clinical skills of a Registered Nurse in accordance with the NMBA standards across a range of clinical settings. In this subject, students are allocated to a clinical placement setting and undertake 160 hours of professional experience placement. Therapeutic communication skills, collaborative education of individuals and families, assessment skills, critical thinking, medication administration, team collaboration, reflection, and the ability to prioritise care are all key areas of focus. The clinical practicum experience enables students to work within settings caring for individuals with acute and chronic conditions to apply their learning to professional nursing practice. This subject includes 160 hours of clinical placement.

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This subject explores a range of contemporary issues of significance to healthy ageing, for example: impacts of and planning for the ageing population; identity and ageing in place; ageing and climate change; indigenous experiences of ageing in Australia; gender aspects of ageing and aged care. The subject will examine the positive social roles and activities that elders can assume in community life and thereby challenge community pre-conceptions, myths and stereotypes that often limit elders.