James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2002

NS2011:04

Transitions into Nursing 1

Townsville, Cairns, Mount Isa

HECS Band 1

30 hours lectures, 10 hours tutorials, 30 hours nursing science laboratories, 120 hours clinical placement. Semester 1 and by flexible delivery with a five-day residential school.

Available only to level 2 nursing science students.

In this subject students learn about pathophysiological processes and patient responses to these which may affect a client throughout his/her lifespan. Related nursing skills and professional development will be addressed. Basic assessment skills introduced in the Foundations of Nursing subjects will be further developed. Problem-solving skills are emphasised so that students can appropriately, systematically and expeditiously assess a client’s health status and assist the client to meet his/her functional health care needs. This will be achieved through lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions and flexible modules and application of this knowledge in the clinical setting.

Learning Objectives:

  1. integrate the professional knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for clinical application;
  2. develop and institute nursing care for clients with altered health status;
  3. discuss the clinical aspects of treatment practices and holistic patient care for the client who is experiencing an alteration in functional health status;
  4. integrate knowledge from other subjects in applying the skills of clinical decision making and reflective practice;
  5. develop an awareness of the health needs of diverse groups within Australian society.

Assessment by ongoing course assessment (40%); examination (60%); written documentation of competencies in clinical setting (satisfactory level required).