NS5501 - Contemporary Issues in Acute Care Nursing

Credit points:	03
Year:	2016
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:	College of Healthcare Sciences

This subject will explore a variety of issues that impact on the delivery of nursing care within the acute care context. The definition of contemporary acute care nursing is somewhat complex. The phrase "Acute care" implies short term treatment for those patients suffering an acute (as opposed to chronic) illness, injury or recovering from surgery. The term 'contemporary' implies that something is up-to-date, modern, or current as opposed to being obsolete. The field of acute care nursing is a vital and rapidly evolving domain of practice. During the course of this subject issues that will impact upon the contemporary acute nurse will be examined, such as the emerging importance of how public health issues such as climate change, tropical and non-communicable diseases and pandemics/epidemics influence the acute care sector. Broader issues related to the healthcare industry and policy initiatives on a local, national and international level will also be examined for their impact on nursing within acute care settings. Nursing acute care workforce issues will also be addressed, including the evolving role and profile of acute care nurses and their personal and professional development to facilitate their continued resilient, positive participation in the acute care workforce. Technology is another potent and rapidly changing influence on the acute care nurse's daily work, and the opportunities and challenges of technology in a variety of acute care contexts will also be examined.

Learning Outcomes

• evaluate contemporary public health issues that will increasingly impact upon providing person- centred, contemporary nursing care in the acute context;
• critically analyse the impact of ongoing developments in the Australian health care system on the acute care sector, including the impact of health care initiatives such as the Close the Gap initiative;
• analyse appropriate and realistic solutions to the diverse challenges facing the acute care nursing workforce;
• critique the use of a variety of technologies within the acute care nursing context and their effect on both clinical care and the evolving role of the acute care nurse.

Availabilities
External, Study Period 2
Census Date 25-Aug-2016
Coord/Lect:	Dr Kristin Wicking.
Method of Delivery:	WWW - LearnJCU
Assessment:	assignments (15%); editorial (30%); recorded presentation (40%); reflective paper 2 (15%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.