Foundations of Nursing (NURS90066)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1 (Early-Start)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 (Early-Start) - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject introduces students to the historical foundations and broad frameworks which shape the scope and dimensions of nursing. It takes a lifespan approach to key areas of practice, including child and adolescent health, aged care and mental health. Regulatory, legal and ethical frameworks that guide professional practice are examined. International, national and local politico-legal and economic factors that impact on the healthcare system and the sustainable provision of health services within in-patient and community settings are explored. Population health, health promotion and health literacy are considered within the National Health Priorities. Principles of cultural diversity and safety are explored. Emphasis is also given to the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. Using experiential learning, students will develop general interaction and therapeutic communication skills that enable them to perform nursing assessments and engage in supportive interventions that demonstrate cultural competence and are appropriate to patient/client emotions, cues and educational needs. Students will gain an understanding of human development across the lifespan, theories of coping and adaptation, therapeutic relationships, and patient and carer perspectives. Throughout, students are encouraged to explore and reflect upon their own values and beliefs about health and illness.
Please note that this subject is delivered as an intensive at the beginning of semester.
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of this subject students should be able to:
- Discuss the role of the registered nurse in terms of philosophical, theoretical, practical and regulatory frameworks at an individual and professional level;
- Describe the ethical and legal implications of nursing practice;
- Discuss the complex interaction of local, national and global contexts that influence nursing;
- Evaluate environmental and socioeconomic issues that promote or impede the delivery of sustainable health care;
- Demonstrate foundational professional communication, including an understanding of professional boundaries, reflective practice, and self-awareness;
- Engage in and communicate an awareness of diversity, cultural awareness, sensitivity, and competence, and how these apply to providing person centred care and health education.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Online quiz
| Throughout the teaching period | 30% |
Online quiz
| Throughout the teaching period | 30% |
Group work project
| End of the teaching period | 40% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1 (Early-Start)
Principal coordinator Sacha Petersen Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 18 hours lectures/seminar; 12 hours simulated learning sessions (practical labs); 14 hours Professional Plus Total time commitment 85 hours Teaching period 3 February 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 February 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 (Early-Start) contact information
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Crisp, J., Douglas, C., Rebeiro, G., & Waters, D. (2017). Potter and Perry's fundamentals of Nursing I Australian and New Zealand Edition (5e ed.). Chatswood, N.S.W: Elsevier Australia
Edward, K., Munro, I., Robins, A., & Welch, A. (2011) Mental health nursing: Dimensions of praxis. Melbourne: Oxford University Press
Green, J., Tones, K., Cross, R., & Woodall, J. (2015). Health Promotion: Planning and strategies (3rd ed.). Los Angeles
Recommended texts and other resources
Atkins, K., Lacey, S. d., & Britton, B. (2014). Ethics and Law far Australian Nurses. Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.
Eckermann, A., Dowd, T., Chong, E., Nixon, L., Gray, R.,& Johnson, S. (2010). Binan Goonj; bridging cultures in Aboriginal health (3rd ed.). Sydney: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
Perrin, R. (2015). Pocket guide to APA style (5th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin College
- Related Handbook entries
- Links to additional information
Last updated: 4 March 2025