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.

Content

Topics will include:

Principles of chronic illness and disability

• Global overview of chronic illness and disability
• Chronic illness and disability in an Australian context
• Differentiation of key terms: Chronic illness, Chronic disease, long term conditions, disability and co-morbidity 
• Trajectory of illness:
• Range of settings and continuum of care inclusive of: community and primary care, and tertiary care environment with discharge considerations.
• Impact of chronic illness and/or disability on person, family and community
• Physical
• Psychosocial
• Cultural
• Spiritual
• Lifespan

Therapeutic use of professional relationships

• Nurses role in restorative practice
• Collaboration
• Partnerships
• Relationships
• Building capacity and resilience in the person, their family and carer
• Self-reflection
• Professional communication
• Therapeutic use of self and communication strategies
• Active listening skills
• Motivational Interviewing
• Teaching skills

Principles for Practice

• Pathophysiology of selected chronic illnesses and disability (those identified as National Health Care Priorities or relating to National Health Care Priorities)
• Patient-centred care and person-centred goal setting
• Role of the nurse in: 
• assessment
• planning
• evaluation of care
• coordination of care
• Role of the interprofessional teams and multi-sectorial partnerships
• Models of care for management of chronic illness and/or disability
• Chronic condition self-management
• NDIS
• Legal and ethical issues
• Chronic pain management
• Common therapeutic approaches
• Pharmacological
• Non-pharmacological
• Complimentary therapies and alternative medicines
• Issues of Sexuality 

Optimising function

• Self-management
• Promoting independence
• Restorative practices
• Educational resources for health promotion and prevention
• eHealth mediation and management of chronic disease
• Telehealth and the management of chronic conditions in rural communities
• Rehabilitation and habilitation

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

Modes of delivery in this unit include lectures, seminars, 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. This strategy 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 exiting university need significant life-long learning skills to deliver sound, ongoing, evidence-based graduate practice as a member of the professional workforce. To embed life-long learning skills students must demonstrate increasing reflective capacity to identify what is being done well and what requires additional work in progressing toward the required learning outcomes. Located in the third year of the programme, this theory unit includes some face-to-face teaching hours and an increased online component of learning. 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 to extend the community of learners, and increase their self-reliance, critical reflection and debate. Online materials provide students with the opportunity to undertake directed, self-motivated study and continue to transition to independent study and life-long learning. 

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.

• NMBA(RN)1

  Relating toThinks critically and analyses nursing practice

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)1.1

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)1.2

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)1.3

  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

• NMBA(RN)1.4

  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

• NMBA(RN)1.5

  Relating toUses ethical frameworks when making decisions

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)1.6

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)1.7

  Relating toContributes to quality improvement and relevant research.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)2

  Relating toEngages in therapeutic and professional relationships

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)2.1

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)2.2

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)2.3

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)2.4

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)2.5

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)2.7

  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 OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)3

  Relating toMaintains the capability for practice

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

• NMBA(RN)3.1

  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

• NMBA(RN)3.2

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

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

• NMBA(RN)3.3

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

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

• NMBA(RN)3.4

  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

• NMBA(RN)3.7

  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

• NMBA(RN)4

  Relating toComprehensively conducts assessments

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)4.1

  Relating toConducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)4.2

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)4.3

  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, LO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)4.4

  Relating toAssesses the resources available to inform planning.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• NMBA(RN)5

  Relating toDevelops a plan for nursing practice

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

• NMBA(RN)5.1

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

• NMBA(RN)5.3

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

• NMBA(RN)6

  Relating toProvides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice

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

• NMBA(RN)6.1

  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

• NMBA(RN)7

  Relating toEvaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO6

• NMBA(RN)7.1

  Relating toEvaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO6

• NMBA(RN)7.2

  Relating toRevises the plan based on the evaluation, and

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO6

• NMBA(RN)7.3

  Relating toDetermines, documents and communicates further priorities, goals and outcomes with the relevant persons.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO6