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Foundations in Cancer Nursing (NURS90121)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Term 4
Overview
Availability | Term 4 - Online |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is designed to promote development of foundation theoretical knowledge and scientific advances in treatment modalities available for the care management for persons affected by cancer. Key concepts explored in this subject relate to understanding the pathophysiology of cancer and carcinogenesis, the principles of cure, control, and symptom management. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation will be described as core treatments and elements of a multi-modal approach. The physical and psychosocial impacts of diagnosis and treatment on people with cancer and their family are explored, as are opportunities to develop knowledge and skills to enhance the experience of survivors. Essential skills to support people affected by a life-threatening illness, as well as essential ethico-legal aspects of care will be explored. Emphasis is placed on health assessment; implementing and evaluating patient-centred care through the delivery of evidence-based nursing interventions across the disease trajectory. Throughout the subject knowledge and skills in therapeutic communication are embedded. Interventions initiated by nurses at a beginning level of specialty practice will be described in terms of evidence available to underpin practice and the pre-requisite technical knowledge to support skill development.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students will be able to demonstrate theoretical knowledge and scientific advances in cancer nursing by:
- Integrating core principles covered in this subject and its pre-requisite, Applied Pathophysiology, to establish specialist knowledge of the impact of treatment on the disease trajectory and management of the person affected by cancer
- Incorporates knowledge learnt in the subject to recognise and plan an evidence-based intervention for patients experiencing alterations to health and wellness that occur in the specific context of cancer care
- Demonstraties the capacity to problem-solve, think critically and promote rational inquiry when provided with a clinical scenario
- Demonstrates skills in communication as it applies to specialist cancer nursing
- Identifies the role of resilience, effective communication, and patient and family education on the outcomes of care
- The capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in either oral and/or written modes of communication
- The capacity to consider local, national and international community issues as they relate to caring for persons affected by cancer
- Skills to identify and review evidence as it relates to problem solving in clinical practice
Generic skills
- Apply a high level of problem solving skills to their area of clinical practice
- A high level of critical thinking and analytical skills
- Feel confident when tackling unfamiliar problems
- A high level of oral and written communication skills
- The ability to plan their own work
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
NURS90076 | Applied Pathophysiology |
Summer Term (Online)
Term 3 (Online)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
It is recommended that students have Level 7 understanding of diseases related to cancer including acute responses to disease and illness. It is expected that students will be to apply the theoretical knowledge learned in the pre-requisite subject, Applied Pathophysiology to concepts explored in this subject.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook. Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Case study analysis
| Week 2 | 20% |
Case study analysis
| Week 4 | 20% |
Clinical dissemination knowledge activity
| Week 6 | 20% |
Summative case study
| Week 8 | 40% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Term 4 - Online
Principal coordinator Antonela Vogranic Mode of delivery Online Contact hours Total time commitment 140 hours Pre teaching start date 7 October 2019 Pre teaching requirements In Week 0 students are required to familiarise themselves with the subject's Learning Management System (LMS), subject information, including assessment tasks. Teaching period 14 October 2019 to 8 December 2019 Last self-enrol date 8 October 2019 Census date 1 November 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 November 2019 Assessment period ends 15 December 2019 Term 4 contact information
Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing EducationPhone: + 61 3 8344 0149Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm AEST/AEDT. Weekends and University of Melbourne observed Public Holidays 10am to 5pm AEST/AEDT.
Time commitment details
Student are required to complete approximately 17 to 18 hours of study per week, comprising of online and self-directed learning activities over the 8 week term
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Craft, J.A. & Gordon. C.J. (2015). Understanding pathophysiology. (2nd ed.). Chatswood, NSW: Mosby Elsevier
Last updated: 3 November 2022