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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title General Nursing 4
Module Code NS4016 (ITS) / NUR1063 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
Module Co-ordinatorAnne Kirwan
Module Teachers-
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Description

The purpose of this module is to enable students to consolidate essential knowledge and skills to maximise their potential during the internship practice placements. Using a combination of lectures, clinical activities, ward simulation in the Clinical Education Centre (CEC) and simulation in the Virtual Reality (VR) lab, students will be enabled to integrate their existing knowledge and understanding with additional learning in the module. An ePortfolio based assessment will offer students opportunities to hone the skills of patient assessment, oral case study presentation which will enhance their clinical judgement and decision making in planning and evaluating care for patients with complex health needs. Students are expected to attend lectures, contribute to seminars, analyse patient case studies and participate in simulation based learning activities both in the CEC and in the VR lab.

Learning Outcomes

1. Conduct a comprehensive assessment of various patient cases e.g. care of the older person, care of the person with complex health needs/comorbidities.
2. Interpret the information gleaned from the assessment to make appropriate plan of care.
3. Implement evidence-based plan of care to meet patient-specific needs, evaluate the care provided and amend plan as appropriate.
4. Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as a member of the nursing and multidisciplinary team.
5. Identify the information and education needs of patients and their families to enable them to manage the effects of illness



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture18Theory underpinning the subject areas covered in this module
Laboratory18Nursing skill based practical activities undertaken in the Clinical Education Centre.
Independent Study214Completion of reading, preparation of assessments and preparation work for clinical education centre exercises
Total Workload: 250

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

Nursing care of the person with a medical condition:
In this section of the module, various complex medical conditions will be analysed and suitable plans of care developed, implemented and evaluated. Examples of medical conditions examined will include myocardial infarction, congestive cardiac failure, cerebrovascular accident, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Male catheterisation. Management of clinical deterioration.

Nursing care of the person with a surgical condition:
In this section of the module, various complex surgical conditions will be analysed and suitable plans of care developed, implemented and evaluated. Examples of surgical conditions examined will include cholecystectomy, bowel resection, hysterectomy, prostatectomy, and mastectomy. Management of a patient with a wound. Venepuncture and Intravenous access. Management of clinical deterioration.

Nursing care of the older person:
The specific needs of the older person with medical/surgical conditions will be explored in detail. The influence of the bio psychosocial changes of aging and the relationship with frailty will be explored.

Clinical judgement, decision making, teamwork and communication
In this section the focus will be on fostering optimum clinical judgement and decision making as well as working effectively as a member of the nursing and multidisciplinary team.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
PortfolioPage 1 Portfolio: Nursing Care Study of patient with complex health needs: Part 1 - Essential Case Description - audio or hard copy submission Part 2 - Write up of nursing case study Page 3 Portfolio: Preparation for practice placement - learning outcomes and contextual nursing considerations Page 6 Portfolio: References & quality of academic work70%Week 12
ParticipationPage 2 Portfolio: HSeLand Courses - completion and upload of certification prior to participation in Venepuncture and cannulation skills sessions in CEC and Care of the deteriorating patient in Virtual reality lab Participation in ward simulation in Clinical Education Centre Page 4 Portfolio: Reflection on leaning: ward simulation in Clinical Education Centre Page 5 Portfolio: Reflection on learning: simulation in Virtual Reality lab - deteriorating patient30%n/a
Indicative Reading List

  • Hogan-Quigley, B., Bickley, L.: 2017, Bates' nursing guide to physical examination and history taking, Wolters Kluwer, Philadelphia,
  • Bickley, L,. Bates, B.: 2009, Bates' guide to physical examination and history taking, Wolters Kluwer, Philadelphia,
  • McArthur-Rouse, P. and Prosser, S: 2007, Assessing and managing the acutely ill adult surgical patient, Blackwell, Oxford,
  • Endacot, R., Jevon, P., Cooper, S.: 2009, Clinical Nursing Skills Core and Advanced., Oxford University Press.,
  • Siviter, B.: 2008, The Newly Qualified Nurses Handbook., Baillere Tindall.,
  • An Bord Altranais: 2007, Guidance to Nurses and Midwives on Medication Management, An Bord Altranais, Dublin,
  • An Bord Altranais: 2010, Guidance for New Nurse and Midwife Registrants, An Bord Altranais, Dublin,
  • Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland: 2015, Scope of Nursing and Midwifery Practice Framework, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, Dublin,
  • Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland: 2014, Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, Dublin,
Other Resources

65643, Module Loop page, 0, Additional up to date resources and links will be made available via the loop site for this module,

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