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:

Surgical nursing care

• Principles
• Alterations to health resulting in surgery (e.g. acute neurological problems)
• Risk factors and comorbidities – impact on surgical experience
• Biopsychosocial, spiritual and cultural considerations
• Promoting independence and working collaboratively
• Safety and risk assessments
• Assessing for and managing deterioration
• Patient education
• Quality use of medicines
• Anaesthetic agents
• Intravenous fluids
• Antiemetics
• Analgesia
• Antipyretics
• Antibiotics
• Anticoagulation and thrombolytic
• Blood transfusions
• Continuity of care
• Discharge planning
• Tools for planning care (e.g. care pathways)
• Legal and ethical issues
• Preoperative
• Types of surgery and settings
• Pathways for surgical admission 
• Role of the nurse and the interprofessional team
• Admission and preparation for surgery
• Intraoperative
• Role of the nurse and the interprofessional team
• Postoperative
• Role of the nurse and the interprofessional team
• Identifying and managing post-operative complications
• Atelectasis
• Venous thromboembolism (VTE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolus (PE)
• Hemorrhage
• Urinary –Catheter care, fluid balance, urinary retention
• Acute pain management

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

Learning and teaching methods in this unit include lectures, tutorials, online activities and self-directed study. Consistent with adult learning principles, the teaching and learning methods used within these modes of delivery will provide students with foundational knowledge and skills relevant to professional nursing practice. These approaches 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 methods 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 entering university need significant support to transition into a learning and teaching environment where they are required to drive their own learning. 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 program, this theory unit includes opportunities to assist students to link nursing theory with practice.

Online lectures are utilised to convey core content and its central principles, lectures provide opportunities for student to begin the exploration of content and scaffold their learning in follow up tutorials. Consolidation of content in tutorials is promoted through collaboration and discussion with student peers. In addition, Tutorials deliver interactive learning sessions which include formative feedback to build foundational tertiary study skills while also providing an opportunity to establish group-work and community learning skills. Online materials are introduced to provide students with a foundation for ongoing, self-directed, self-motivated, off-campus study.

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, LO5

• 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, LO5

• 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, LO5

• 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, LO5

• 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, LO5

• NMBA(RN)1.5

  Relating toUses ethical frameworks when making decisions

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• 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, LO5

• NMBA(RN)1.7

  Relating toContributes to quality improvement and relevant research.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• NMBA(RN)2

  Relating toEngages in therapeutic and professional relationships

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO6

• NMBA(RN)2.1

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO6

• NMBA(RN)2.2

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO6

• NMBA(RN)2.3

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO6

• NMBA(RN)2.4

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO6

• NMBA(RN)2.5

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO6

• NMBA(RN)2.6

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO6

• 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 OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO6

• NMBA(RN)2.8

  Relating toParticipates in and/or leads collaborative practice, and

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO6

• 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 OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

• NMBA(RN)4.1

  Relating toConducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

• 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 OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

• 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 OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

• NMBA(RN)4.4

  Relating toAssesses the resources available to inform planning.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

• NMBA(RN)5

  Relating toDevelops a plan for nursing practice

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• NMBA(RN)5.1

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• NMBA(RN)5.2

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• NMBA(RN)5.3

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• NMBA(RN)5.4

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• 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 OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO5

• NMBA(RN)7.1

  Relating toEvaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO5

• NMBA(RN)7.2

  Relating toRevises the plan based on the evaluation, and

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4, LO5