This unit was a work-integrated learning experience, and I predominantly learned off-campus (4 weeks/160 hours) within healthcare contexts. Positioned as a third-year unit at the consolidating stage of the course, it built upon all preceding units. The expectation was that I would draw upon previous knowledge and skills in practice to facilitate further development of both knowledge and skills. This preparation was crucial for successfully completing this capstone unit and delivering safe and effective care as a beginning-level registered nurse. Throughout this unit, my learning primarily took place in off-campus healthcare contexts. An in-depth understanding of the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice, National Health Priority Areas, Aged Care Standards, and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) standards was deemed essential to nursing practice.
Experiential learning took center stage in this unit, where I attended an extended period in the off-campus healthcare environment. The healthcare environments encompassed clinics and home-based, community, mental health, and acute-care facilities. In these settings, I took on advanced responsibilities related to coordinating and leading care for consumers, families, and the broader community.
Preparation for this unit involved reviewing theoretical concepts explored in previous units to facilitate their application in practice. To enhance learning support, I undertook a mandatory face-to-face simulation and engaged in online learning modules, requiring the application of problem-solving and clinical decision-making skills. There were also directives to revisit the safe and quality use of medicines and their administration.
A peer learning community of practice was established to foster active collaboration and provide additional support and engagement during off-campus placement. Clinical supervisors played a crucial role in facilitating and supporting the transfer of prior knowledge and skills to real-world contexts, aligning with the requirements to satisfactorily complete the Australian Nursing Standards Assessment Tool (ANSAT) at the level of a beginning registered nurse. Learning experiences focused on promoting the implementation of evidence-based scientific knowledge, communication, critical inquiry, digital literacy, and intra- and interprofessional collaboration as an ethical, socially inclusive, and culturally safe practitioner.
Attendance at an off-campus clinical placement was a requirement for this unit.
see https://www.qut.edu.au/courses/bachelor-of-nursing for full unit information
Learning outcomes
Demonstrate evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, and decision making to provide culturally safe, quality, person-centred care consistent with the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice and the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards at a beginner practitioner level.
Satisfactorily complete hi-fidelity simulation and engage with critical thinking and clinical reasoning in diverse and complex healthcare settings consistent with safe, person-centred care across the lifespan.
Coordinate and lead provision of care for consumers, families, and the broader community, under supervision.
Safely and accurately perform medication calculations and demonstrate safe administration of medicines in both the simulated environment and clinical practice setting
Projects
Project One
Recognising and responding to acute deterioration simulation and completion of a learning activity.
I undertook a simulation scenario within a team of four students. My performance was evaluated against performance criteria, both as a team and individually. If I did not meet the performance criteria, I was given one additional opportunity to demonstrate safe practice performance in another simulation assessment.
I engaged in face-to-face clinical simulation scenarios focusing on complex problems such as recognizing and responding to the rapidly deteriorating patient and team processes, including leadership capabilities. This required a collaborative approach in addressing problems and challenges within the given situation. The scenarios were designed to help me integrate concepts and principles necessary for practice as a beginning-level registered nurse, providing person-centered care in various clinical settings. I critically analyzed and addressed ongoing nursing care provision and implementation, incorporating experiential learning from real-world practice. Pre-briefing and de-briefing were included as fundamental components of the learning experience, along with completing a learning activity/ePortfolio entry directly related to the simulation.
Project Two
Critical Essay.
Undertaking a holistic analysis, I completed the online modules within the NSB334 unit that highlighted critical thinking and decision-making in diverse and complex healthcare situations.
I chose one case study from a list and wrote a critical essay addressing the following points in relation to my chosen case study:
1. I identified the comorbidities and related actual and potential disabilities associated with the person in the case study.
2. I described the determinants of health that may influence health outcomes for the person in the case study.
3. I critically discussed how the comorbidities and their health determinants introduced a risk of deterioration in their overall health and well-being.
4. I discussed and justified three secondary and/or tertiary health promotion strategies and supports for the patient's self-care management.
Project Three
Med+Safe.
The test questions centered on calculations and the development of knowledge and skills associated with medication administration and the quality use of medicines.
I provided evidence of successfully completing the required test in the Med+Safe application during the invigilated school-based assessment period.
Project Four
Practice performance – Clinical placement.
During my assigned clinical placements, I underwent assessment based on the demonstration of various skills related to providing safe, quality, person-centered care. My performance was evaluated in line with the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice and the Australian Nursing Standards Assessment Tool (ANSAT). It was necessary for me to demonstrate satisfactory achievement of the seven standards and their related criteria for this level. Throughout the clinical placement, I received formative verbal and written feedback on my progress.
Overall Grading
Mark: Satisfactory
Grade: Satisfactory
ANSAT: 5