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Foundations in Cancer Nursing (NURS90121)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
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About this subject
Contact information
March
Email: continuing-education@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: + 61 3 8344 0149
Contact hours: https://unimelb.edu.au/professional-development/contact-us
Overview
| Availability | March - Online |
|---|---|
| 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 completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of cancer biology, diagnosis and treatment planning in specialist cancer nursing care to prepare, support and assess people affected by cancer
- Identify national and international trends in cancer epidemiology and the role of the specialist cancer nurse in related cancer control activities
- Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific and clinical rationale for acute and delayed effects of each of the cancer treatment modalities and specialist cancer nursing care required
- Demonstrate an understanding of best practice specialist cancer nursing care for people affected by cancer participating in cancer clinical trials
- Anticipate, assess, review and analyse patient health data to identify disease- and treatment-related health needs across the continuum of care and respond with an evidence-based plan of care
- Identify physical, psychosocial, informational and spiritual supportive care needs of people affected by cancer and evidence-based multidisciplinary cancer control interventions to meet these needs
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: 31 January 2024