Nursing (Diploma of Health Sciences)

Anatomical organisation of the body and the relationships between body systems and cells. Human requirements for metabolism and life. The structure and function of the body. Basic control and interactions of the circulatory, respiratory, digestive and excretory systems. Primary defence against microorganisms. Mechanisms for growth, repair and reproduction.

An introduction to sociological and anthropological perspectives on health, illness and disability in society; biomedical and social models of health. Understanding of health and illness for nurses and allied health professionals in social and cultural contexts; traditional healing systems. Marginalised populations: understanding the intersections of cultural heritage, socio-economic status, gender, sexuality, and disability and their impact upon health. Cultural security, safety and competence. Health of migrants, refugees and internally displaced peoples; historical and contemporary context in Australia and globally. Humanitarian health care delivery and disaster relief; human rights, social justice and health; community development in national and international settings.

In this unit students will examine culture and diversity within local, national and global, Indigenous populations; impacts of specific policies and historical events on Indigenous Australians and their effects on health and health care access. Students will analyse health outcomes of Indigenous Australians and explore underlying social determinants, and how health professionals can work collaboratively/in consultation with Indigenous individuals, families, communities and organisations.

An integrated approach to the study of body systems correlating structure and function of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems together with their endocrine and neural control. Students will investigate the interaction of these systems in normal body functioning and in selected altered body states.

The unit builds on the foundations of clinical practice and continues to explore assessment and care of the stable person. Students apply nursing competency standards in selected clinical contexts. Topics covered include; cultural care, physical and mental health assessment; therapeutic communication with people in a range of settings, including changes in cognition and perception; wound assessment and care planning; and principles of primary health care; health screening and health promotion across the life span. Students apply best practice nursing care to support wellbeing and person-centred care. Medication preparation, administration, dosage calculations, legislative control and applied pharmacology in the context of the stable person is reinforced.

Nursing practice development. Nursing history. Reflective practice. Regulatory practice – Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, Australian Nurses and Midwifery Accreditation Council and Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Introduction to nursing processes, scope of practice and decision making framework. Introduction to physical and mental health assessment across the lifespan, including consideration of child development and healthy ageing. Apply a functional health approach to subjective data collection and documentation. Development of baseline assessment skills, and introduction to standard precautions, including hand hygiene. Communication theory and application in nursing practice. Development of problem solving; the use of Clinical Practice Assessment Tool. Introduction to medication mathematics. Fundamental/basic nursing care based on current best practice, quality outcomes, patient self care/independence. Manual handling.