Unit rationale, description and aim

The Registered nurse plays a central role in the provision of health care and education for people who experience both short and long term health alterations. Health alterations occur across a range of settings and it is a requirement that the nurse is able to provide care for people experiencing these alterations.

This unit is required by students to assist their ongoing development of theoretical knowledge, specifically in relation to medical nursing practice and assisting clients who manage their longer term illness.

The principles of medical nursing that underpin best practice will be demonstrated by the use of evidence-based case studies. Roles of the medical nurse across a variety of health settings, and within the context of interprofessional care, will be explored across patient journeys. The content contained within this unit will inform nursing students' future clinical practice across a variety of settings.

The aim of this unit is to support students in the development of knowledge and skills for person-centred, evidence-based nursing care of individuals experiencing acute medical health alterations. 

2025 10

Campus offering

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  • Semester 1Multi-mode
  • Semester 2Multi-mode
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  • Semester 2Multi-mode
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  • Semester 2Multi-mode
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  • Semester 2Multi-mode

Prerequisites

NRSG140 Integrating Practice 2

For Bachelor of Nursing (Enrolled Nurses) students: Nil

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Outline the biopsychosocial, spiritual and cultura...

Learning Outcome 01

Outline the biopsychosocial, spiritual and cultural factors that impact on the person with a medical health alteration
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC5, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11, GC12

Relate knowledge of pathophysiology to management ...

Learning Outcome 02

Relate knowledge of pathophysiology to management of common health alterations in medical nursing
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11

Critically apply the models of nursing across the ...

Learning Outcome 03

Critically apply the models of nursing across the lifespan, to the principles of medical nursing
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC7, GC8, GC9

Implement critical thinking and clinical reasoning...

Learning Outcome 04

Implement critical thinking and clinical reasoning across a range of settings, to plan safe, evidence-based, culturally sensitive, person-centred nursing care for common medical health alterations
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11, GC12

Apply quality use of medicines, non-pharmacologica...

Learning Outcome 05

Apply quality use of medicines, non-pharmacological therapeutic interventions and complementary therapies in medical nursing
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11

Apply legal and ethical principles related to medi...

Learning Outcome 06

Apply legal and ethical principles related to medical nursing
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11

Content

Topics will include:

 Medical nursing care -

  •  Principles
  • Alterations to health resulting from a medical condition
  • Diagnostic procedures
  • Risk factors and comorbidities
  • Biopsychosocial, spiritual and cultural considerations
  • Promoting independence and working collaboratively
  • Rehabilitation and habilitation
  • Safety and risk assessments
  • Assessing for and managing deterioration
  • Patient education
  • Quality use of medicines
  • Continuity of care
  • Discharge planning
  • Tools for planning care (e.g. care pathways)
  • Legal and ethical issues
  •  Nursing the patient with common medical conditions
  • Endocrine disorders
  • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Respiratory disorders
  • Acute repiratory Disorders
  • Asthma
  • Pneumonia
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 
  • Cardiac disorders
  • Ischaemic heart disease
  • Acute coronary syndromes
  • Heart failure
  • Neurological
  • Stroke
  • Epilepsy
  • Renal
  • Renal and urological problems
  • Acute kidney disease and chronic kidney disease

Assessment strategy and rationale

A range of assessment items consistent with University assessment requirements and policy will be used to ensure students achieve the unit learning outcomes and attain the graduate attributes.

In this unit, there are two 50% assessment items, therefore the importance of each item is higher in terms of achievement of unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes. Students’ transition from three lower weighted assessments to two more heavily weighted assessments is supported by mixed assessment styles. The 'project' assessment broadens students’ communication strategies. It engages students with the application of theory to practice and is designed to facilitate an understanding of the impact of long-term illness. The examination enables students to demonstrate a sound knowledge base in addressing content questions and an evolving understanding of this content to address the process related questions. 

These assessments are required to build student knowledge and skills which, by the conclusion of this programme, will enable the student to graduate as a safe and effective nurse.

Offshore intensive assessment of this unit will be transparently equitable with on campus mode offerings as endorsed by the relevant Course Implementation Committee.

Overview of assessments

Project This assessment enables students to demo...

Project

This assessment enables students to demonstrate understanding of the health consumer’s perspective regarding a medical health alteration within the current Australian context.  

Weighting

50%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Examination Enables students to demonstrate a so...

Examination

Enables students to demonstrate a sound knowledge base in addressing content and process questions related to medical nursing. 

Weighting

50%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO5, LO6

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

Modes of delivery in this unit include lectures, tutorials, online activities and self-directed study. Consistent with adult learning principles, the teaching and learning strategies used within these modes of delivery will provide students with foundational knowledge and skills relevant to professional nursing practice. These strategies will also support students in meeting the aim, learning outcomes and graduate attributes of the unit and the broader course learning outcomes. Learning and teaching strategies will reflect respect for the individual as an independent learner. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively with peers. 

Students at university need to operate effectively as self-sufficient learners who drive their own learning and access the learning supports they require. To guide students in their learning, feedback is required to identify what is being done well, what requires additional work and to identify progress toward required learning outcomes. Located in the second year of the programme, this theory unit includes moderate face-to-face teaching hours and an increasing online component of learning to build life-long learning skills. Online recorded lectures are utilised to convey content and central principles while tutorials provide an opportunity to consolidate students’ understanding of content through collaboration and discussion. Tutorials deliver interactive and student-driven learning sessions which require an increasing reliance on students to extend their community of learners and increase self-reliance. Online materials provide students with the opportunity to undertake directed, self-motivated study and continue to transition to independent study and life-long learning. 

An optional formative online quiz for this unit will be made available to students in week 4 of semester to provide feedback on their progress and guide their unit learning. The formative quiz follows the same format as the online quizzes used in first year, however, will not contribute to the students’ grade for this unit. First year quizzes were summative and consequently contributed to students’ grades; second year quizzes are predominantly formative, do not contribute to the final unit grade and are thus optional. The formative quiz is designed to assist students to reinforce sound study patterns and their transition toward independent study and life-long learning.

This unit may also be offered on or off campus in intensive mode for sponsored / special cohorts, with the learning and teaching strategies being equitable with on campus mode offerings as endorsed by the Discipline Curriculum Implementation Committee. 

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Registered Nurse Standards for Practice

In connection to the learning outcomes, these are the national Registered nurse standards for practice for all RNs. Together with NMBA standards, codes and guidelines, these Registered nurse standards for practice should be evident in current practice, and inform the development of the scopes of practice and aspirations of RNs.

  • Relating toThinks critically and analyses nursing practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toAccesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings, for safe, quality practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toDevelops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toRespects 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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toComplies with legislation, regulations, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toUses ethical frameworks when making decisions

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toMaintains accurate, comprehensive and timely documentation of assessments, planning, decision-making, actions and evaluations, and

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toContributes to quality improvement and relevant research.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toEngages in therapeutic and professional relationships

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4

  • Relating toEstablishes, sustains and concludes relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4

  • Relating toCommunicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4

  • Relating toRecognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4

  • Relating toProvides support and directs people to resources to optimise health-related decisions

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4

  • Relating toAdvocates on behalf of people in a manner that respects the person’s autonomy and legal capacity

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4

  • Relating toUses delegation, supervision, coordination, consultation and referrals in professional relationships to achieve improved health outcomes

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4

  • Relating toActively fosters a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports person-centred care

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4

  • Relating toParticipates in and/or leads collaborative practice, and

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4

  • Relating toMaintains the capability for practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toConsiders and responds in a timely manner to the health and wellbeing of self and others in relation to the capability for practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toProvides the information and education required to enhance people’s control over health

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toUses a lifelong learning approach for continuing professional development of self and others

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toAccepts accountability for decisions, actions, behaviours and responsibilities inherent in their role, and for the actions of others to whom they have delegated responsibilities

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toIdentifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toComprehensively conducts assessments

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4, LO5

  • Relating toConducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4, LO5

  • Relating toUses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4, LO5

  • Relating toWorks in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and wellbeing of people and populations to determine priorities for action and/ or for referral, and

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4, LO5

  • Relating toAssesses the resources available to inform planning.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4, LO5

  • Relating toDevelops a plan for nursing practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toUses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toCollaboratively constructs nursing practice plans until contingencies, options priorities, goals, actions, outcomes and timeframes are agreed with the relevant persons

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toDocuments, evaluates and modifies plans accordingly to facilitate the agreed outcomes

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toPlans and negotiates how practice will be evaluated and the time frame of engagement, and

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toProvides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toProvides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toPractises within their scope of practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toAppropriately delegates aspects of practice to enrolled nurses and others, according to enrolled nurse’s scope of practice or others’ clinical or non-clinical roles

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toProvides effective timely direction and supervision to ensure that delegated practice is safe and correct

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toPractises in accordance with relevant policies, guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation, and

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toUses the appropriate processes to identify and report potential and actual risk related system issues and where practice may be below the expected standards.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating toEvaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

  • Relating toEvaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

  • Relating toRevises the plan based on the evaluation, and

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Brown, D., Edwards, H., Buckley, S., Aitken, R. (2020). Lewis’s medical-surgical nursing. Assessment and management of clinical problems (5th ed.). Elsevier.

Bullock, S. & Hales, M. (2019). Principles of pathophysiology (2nd ed.). Pearson.

Bullock, S., & Manias, E. (2017). Fundamentals of pharmacology  (8th ed.). Pearson. 

Forbes, H., & Watt, E. (2020). Jarvis’s physical examination and health assessment (3rd ed.). Elsevier

Holland, K., Jenkins, J., Solomon, J., & Whittam, S. (2019). Applying the Roper-Logan-Tierney Model in practice-E-Book. Elsevier. 

Levett-Jones, T. (2017). Clinical Reasoning: Learning to think like a nurse. Pearson.

Tiziani, A. P.(2021).Havard’s Nursing Guide to Drugs (11th ed.). Elsevier.

Tortora, G.T., Derrickson, B.H., Burkett, B., Peoples, G., Dye, D., Cooke, J., Diversi, T., McKean, M., Samalia, L., & Mellifont, R. (2019). Principles of anatomy and physiology (2nd Asia-Pacific ed.) John Wiley & Sons.

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