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Foundations in Cancer Nursing (NURS90121)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
April
Email: continuing-education@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: + 61 3 8344 0149
Contact hours: https://unimelb.edu.au/professional-development/contact-us
Overview
| Availability | April - 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:
- Explain 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
- Discuss the scientific and clinical rationale for acute and delayed effects of each of the cancer treatment modalities and specialist cancer nursing care required
- Integrate 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
- Assess the 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: 23 June 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| NURS90076 | Applied Pathophysiology |
January (Online)
July (Online)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
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: 23 June 2023
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Clinical Scenario Analysis
| From Week 2 to Week 4 | 30% |
Clinical Scenario Analysis
| In the middle of the teaching period | 30% |
Written assessment
| End of the teaching period | 40% |
Last updated: 23 June 2023
Dates & times
- April - Online
Coordinator Trevor Saunders Mode of delivery Online Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching start date 3 April 2023 Pre teaching requirements Students will familiarise themselves with the online platform which will provide an overview of the subject, assessment requirements and expected activities and behaviours. They will also be provided with information about studying online and informed about the University resources available to them. Teaching period 10 April 2023 to 4 June 2023 Last self-enrol date 4 April 2023 Census date 21 April 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 19 May 2023 Assessment period ends 11 June 2023 April contact information
Email: continuing-education@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: + 61 3 8344 0149
Contact hours: https://unimelb.edu.au/professional-development/contact-us
Time commitment details
170 hours
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).
- Completion rate. Students who started their course from 2022 and are in a CSP or receiving a HELP Loan (eg FEE-HELP) must meet the completion rate to continue to receive Commonwealth Support for that course.
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement, and as a fail toward the completion rate, unless there are approved ‘special circumstances’.
Last updated: 23 June 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Craft, J.A. & Gordon. C.J. (2015). Understanding pathophysiology. (2nd ed.). Chatswood, NSW: Mosby Elsevier
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 23 June 2023