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Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Practice Module 2 (Intellectual Disability)
Module Code NS284
School 38
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Michael McKeon
Semester 2: Michael McKeon
Autumn: Michael McKeon
Module TeachersMichael McKeon
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
None
Description

During NS284 the student will have opportunities to develop competence in all six domains at level two. The student will develop competence at level two in providing holistic person centred care that is evidence based. The student will reflect on the integration of theory and practice in intellectual disability nursing practice at level two

Learning Outcomes

1. Domain 1: Professional values and conduct of the nurse competences Knowledge and appreciation of the virtues of caring, compassion, integrity, honesty, respect and empathy as a basis for upholding the professional values of nursing and identity as a nurse
2. Domain 2: Nursing practice and clinical decision making competences Knowledge and understanding of the principles of delivering safe and effective nursing care through the adoption of a systematic and problem-solving approach to developing and delivering a person-centred plan of care based on an explicit partnership with the person and his/her primary carer
3. Domain 3: Knowledge and cognitive competences Knowledge and understanding of the health continuum, life and behavioural sciences and their applied principles that underpin a competent knowledge base for nursing and healthcare practice
4. Domain 4: Communication and interpersonal competences Knowledge, appreciation and development of empathic communication skills and techniques for effective interpersonal relationships with people and other professionals in health care settings
5. Domain 5: Management and team competences Using management and team competences in working for the person’s wellbeing, recovery, independence and safety through recognition of the collaborative partnership between the person, family and multidisciplinary health care team.
6. Domain 6: Leadership and professional scholarship competences Developing professional scholarship through self-directed learning skills, critical questioning/reasoning skills and decision-making skills in nursing as the foundation for lifelong professional education, maintaining competency and career development.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Clinical placement280100% attendence on practice placement is required. Hours requirement includes placement hours and reflective practice hours.
Total Workload: 280

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Domain 1: Professional values and conduct of the nurse competences
2.1.1 Practise safely • Identify risk factors and apply principles of safe moving and handling whilst providing nursing care • Adhere to principles of hand hygiene, infection prevention and control and regulations governing these for care of the person in the health service setting • Explain, using an example, how professional guidance influences the role of the nurse in safeguarding vulnerable people 2.1.2 Practise compassionately • Demonstrate compassion, kindness and respect in caring for each person encountered in the practice setting • Differentiate between an impartial and a judgmental attitude in nursing • Compassionately explore with a person in the practice setting as to how his/her life and wellbeing have been affected by the experience of ill health, distress or by developmental or life-limiting conditions 2.1.3 Practise professionally and responsibly • Discuss with and seek guidance from the Registered Nurse in situations that are beyond her/his level of competence • Outline three professional values in nursing • Take responsibility for and complete delegated tasks safely and in accordance with policies, procedures and guidelines and reports back to Registered Nurse • Identify a learning need and seek opportunities to meet it in the practice setting • Show personal responsibility through organising and documenting nursing interventions

Domain 2: Nursing practice and clinical decision making competences
2.2.1 Assess the person’s nursing and health needs • Assist the Registered Nurse to take a nursing and health history on admission or review the needs of a person encountered in the practice setting using a relevant framework to organise clinical information • Assist a Registered Nurse to analyse information collected, using an appropriate framework, to assess and re-assess a person’s healthcare needs • Identify indicators for normal health in a person in the practice setting 2.2.2 Plan and prioritise person-centred nursing care (including selecting interventions based on best evidence and identification of desired goals with the person) • Apply theoretical and clinical knowledge to explain either a goal or an intervention listed in a person’s plan of nursing care • Discuss the priority of goals listed in a person’s plan of care based on his/her current nursing needs • Discuss an aspect of the plan of nursing care with the person concerned, and/or his/her primary carer 2.2.3 Deliver person-centred nursing and clinical interventions, including health activities • Assist the clinical team to deliver nursing interventions in accordance with the person’s plan of care • Explain the significance of clinical observations undertaken to a Registered Nurse/practice health worker • Describe how to maintain a person’s dignity, rights and independence whilst undertaking a nursing procedure • Explain the principles of infection prevention and control and regulations governing these for care of the person in the health service setting Identify an example of a risk or hazard associated with the nursing care of a person in the health care setting • Give examples of early warning signs of critical changes in a person’s health status in the health care setting • Assist the clinical team in response to critical changes in a person’s health condition • Explain the process of referral of a person in need of specialist expertise in the practice setting • Assist the Registered Nurse to administer medicines safely • Demonstrate respect for the privacy and confidentiality of personal data relating to a person’s health care whether in written, verbal or electronic format • Support and facilitate the person to promote his/her physical and emotional well-being 2.2.4 Evaluate nursing care and undertake a comprehensive re-assessment • Review with the Registered Nurse clinical observations and feedback from the person to adjust an aspect of the plan of nursing care • Assist the Registered Nurse to write and accurately record the person’s notes and evaluation of their care • Gather additional data to evaluate the effectiveness of a nursing goal specified in the person’s plan of care • Use evidence from local guidance or a manual of procedures to plan a nursing intervention 2.2.5 Utilise clinical judgement • Explain the significance of clinical observations undertaken to a Registered Nurse/practice health professional • Identify an example of a risk or hazard associated with the nursing care of a person in the health care setting • Give examples of early warning signs of critical changes in a person’s health status in the health care settin

Domain 3: Knowledge and cognitive competences
2.3.1 Practise from a competent knowledge base • Relate an example of nursing theory to current practice • Apply the knowledge of the structure and function of the human body to the care of a person in the healthcare setting • Outline common vulnerabilities and co-morbidities associated with a person’s condition of within the current practice setting • Identify and discuss an ethical and/or moral dilemma in nursing practice • Explain the relationship between audit and quality in nursing • Identify an aspect of national policy that influences practice and health care delivery in their division of nursing • Explain how legislation affects at least one aspect of nursing in the current practice setting Read and discuss with the Registered Nurse the findings of at least one nursing research study and their relevance for current practice 2.3.2 Use critical thinking and reflection to inform practice • Analyse with the Registered Nurse the implications of one example of professional guidance or guidelines for the current practice setting • Reflect on a situation that s/he has found to be challenging in personal or professional development as a nurse

Domain 4: Communication and inter personal competences
2.4.1 Communicate in a person-centred manner • Use age-appropriate and respectful communication skills with the person and her/his primary carer • Explore the emotional support required by a person undergoing a nursing intervention or health procedure • Engage with a person and/or his/her primary carer to discuss their experience of nursing interventions or health procedures • Discuss with a person an aspect of their health or life style that he/she would like to change • Use appropriate skills and knowledge to teach/facilitate a person or family member in an aspect of self management • Apply active listening skills when communicating with a person with physical, emotional, behavioural or cultural communication difficulties • Discuss how and when to refer a person who requires language interpreters or communication supports to express their needs 2.4.2 Communicate effectively with the health care team • Communicate clearly and coherently with other members of the multidisciplinary team • Report the views and wishes of the person to the health care team • Respect the privacy of the person and confidentiality of information in the health setting • Discuss the importance of using professional nursing language terms and abbreviations in reporting, documenting and communicating to nursing and health care teams according to local policy • Ensure that information gathered in clinical practice is documented and clearly reported to clinical colleagues in a timely manner • Assist a Registered Nurse in discharge planning or transition/transfer arrangements and liaison with community agencies or other relevant organisation/teams

Domain 5: Management and team competences
2.5.1 Practise collaboratively • Identify opportunities to work for the person’s wellbeing, recovery, independence and safety in a collaborative partnership • Communicate effectively with other health care disciplines and members of the nursing team in the coordination of health care provision 2.5.2 Manage team, others and self safely • Discuss ways to minimise risk to a person’s safety, security, well-being and health status • Show that the management of own time and use of resources are improving • Identify to the Registered Nurse the key elements of a supportive clinical work environment to facilitate a culture of multidisciplinary trust • Actively seek out and engage with learning opportunities for self and others in the practice setting Demonstrate preparation and organisation prior to undertaking nursing interventions

Domain 6: Leadership potential and professional scholarship competences
2.6.1 Develop leadership potential • Explain to the Registered Nurse ways in which a nurse could establish priorities in a clinical setting • Describe how a nurse should respond and react to challenging events and unforeseen circumstances in practice • Apply the insights derived from the constructive use of feedback and supervision to self awareness and personal and professional development • Reflect on insights derived from a critical incident in the health care setting 2.6.2 Develop professional scholarship • Discuss with the Registered Nurse two examples of situations that would require to be shared with experienced colleagues, senior managers and other health care professionals • Identify the pathway for disclosing nursing care practice issues/concerns according to local policy • Describe to the Registered Nurse how s/he has adapted or would adapt a nursing intervention in response to a person’s dynamically altering health status

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Professional Portfolion/a100%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Gates, B and Mafuba, K 2015,: 2015, Learning Disability Nursing, Modern Day Practice,, Taylor and Francis, London,
  • Howatson-Jones, L: 2017, Reflective practice in nursing, Sage London, Sage, London,
  • Endacott, R: 2017, Clinical Nursing Skills, Routledge, London,
  • Gates, B and Barr, O: 2019, Oxford Handbook of Intellectual Disability Nursing, Oxford, London,
Other Resources

None
Programme or List of Programmes
BNIDBSc in Nursing (Intellectual Disability)
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