Module: Clinical Judgement & Decision Making

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Clinical Judgement & Decision Making
Module Code	NUR1048 (ITS: NS343)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module will introduce students to the latest scholarship on clinical judgement and decision-making in nursing and enable them to apply this knowledge to their own developing practice.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explore individual, professional and organisational value systems and describe how they influence judgements and decision making in clinical practice.
2. Appraise theories of engagement and assessment that enhance clinical decision making interactions within the practice setting.
3. Describe the processes of team-based judgement and decision-making within nursing and multidisciplinary groups.
4. Explore the role of the student nurse in clinical judgement and decision making and the structures that support them.
5. Analyse judgement and decision making frameworks and models and apply them to real-based cases from clinical practice.
6. Outline new and innovative technologies that support clinical judgement and decision making.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Tutorial	6	includes seminar
Independent Study	90	No Description
Total Workload: 120

Section Breakdown
CRN	20822	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Daniela Lehwaldt	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Analysis of a paper-based patient scenario (vignette); bank of scenarios provided in class. Students ‘think aloud’ about a patient scenario and provide their judgments and decisions for the case (think aloud protocol), which they then analyse based on the topics discussed in the module.	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Decision making in nursing - what decision do nurses make in clinical practice?

Local, national and international contexts and research that shapes clinical judgement and decision making.

The role of the student nurse in clinical judgement and decision making, organisational and environmental influences.

Modes of engagement; paternalistic, informed and shared decision making.

Models and frameworks that guide judgement and decision-making.

Use of clinical information, observation, qualitative and quantitative data to inform judgement and decision making.

Experience, expertise and value systems that enhance clinical judgement and decision-making.

Using think aloud and a vignette case study approach to understand clinical engagement, assessment and decision-making

Individual, organisational and team-based judgement and decision-making.

New technologies and innovations in the clinical setting to inform judgement and decision-making.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Standing, M.: 2023, Clinical Judgement and Decision Making for Nursing, 5th, Learning Matters,
Holland and Roberts: 2022, Understanding Decision-Making in Nursing Practice, Sage Publ,
Thompson C. & Dowding D.: 2009, Essential Decision Making and Clinical Judgement for Nurses,
Standing, M.: 2013, Clinical Judgement and Decision Making for Nursing Students, Learning Matters,
Walker: 2013, ASSESSMENT AND DECISION MAKING IN MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Learning Matters,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None