Intensive Care Nursing
Sydney Nursing School offers the following courses in intensive care nursing:
- Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing
- Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing
- Master of Intensive Care Nursing
Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing GG011
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing consists of two semesters of part-time study. Students are required to complete 24 credit points or four units of study as prescribed in the unit of study table related to this program.
Students may articulate from a graduate certificate into a master’s degree. Units studied at the graduate certificate level are, in most cases, credited towards the higher qualification.
Workload
The Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing may only be studied by local students in the part-time mode. Students generally undertake two units of study per semester. All units are offered in intensive on-campus mode with students required to attend study days and undertake e-learning and independent study. Assessment consists of written assignments, clinical assessments and examinations.
Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing GF024
Course overview
The Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing may be completed in one year of full-time study or two years part-time study. The graduate diploma consists of 48 credit points or eight units of study as prescribed in the unit of study table related to this program.
Workload
Students generally undertake two units of study per semester. All units are offered in intensive on-campus mode with students required to attend study days and undertake e-learning and independent study. Assessment consists of written assignments, clinical assessments and examinations.
Master of Intensive Care Nursing GC063
Course overview
The Master of Intensive Care Nursing consists of 60 credit points or nine units of study as prescribed in the unit of study table related to this program. This may be taken over 18 months of full-time study, or two and a half years of part-time study.
Workload
Students generally undertake four units of study per semester full time. Students studying part time will undertake two units of study per semester. In the final semester students will undertake a 12 credit point unit of study and will study part time. All units are offered in intensive on-campus mode with students required to attend study days and undertake e-learning and independent study. Assessment consists of written assignments, clinical assessments and examinations.
Unit of study table
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing GG011 |
|||
| Students in the Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing are required to complete 24 credit points from the following units of study: | |||
Core units |
|||
| NURS5012 Assessment and Clinical Judgement |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| NURS5059 Foundations of Clinical Practice |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| NURS5055 Intensive Care Nursing Practice |
6 | P NURS5052 or NURS5059 |
Semester 2 |
| NURS5060 Complexity of Critical Illness & Injury |
6 | P NURS5059 C NURS5054 or NURS5055 |
Semester 2 |
Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing GF024 |
|||
| Students in the Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing are required to complete 48 credit points. This includes 36 credit points of core units of study, and an additional 12 credit points of elective units of study, as follows: | |||
Core units |
|||
| NURS5012 Assessment and Clinical Judgement |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| NURS5059 Foundations of Clinical Practice |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| NURS5069 Research in Nursing and Health Care |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| NURS5074 Expanding Practice in the ICU and ED |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| NURS5055 Intensive Care Nursing Practice |
6 | P NURS5052 or NURS5059 |
Semester 2 |
| NURS5060 Complexity of Critical Illness & Injury |
6 | P NURS5059 C NURS5054 or NURS5055 |
Semester 2 |
Elective units |
|||
| Students must choose two (2) of the following options: | |||
| NURS5070 Creating a Culture of Safety and Quality |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| NURS5071 Strengthening Nursing Leadership |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| NURS5091 Simulation-Based Learning in Health |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Master of Intensive Care Nursing GC063 |
|||
| Students in the Master of Intensive Care Nursing are required to complete 60 credit points. This includes 36 credit points of core units of study, an additional 12 credit points of elective units of study, and one capstone option, as follows: | |||
Core units |
|||
| NURS5012 Assessment and Clinical Judgement |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| NURS5059 Foundations of Clinical Practice |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| NURS5069 Research in Nursing and Health Care |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| NURS5074 Expanding Practice in the ICU and ED |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| NURS5055 Intensive Care Nursing Practice |
6 | P NURS5052 or NURS5059 |
Semester 2 |
| NURS5060 Complexity of Critical Illness & Injury |
6 | P NURS5059 C NURS5054 or NURS5055 |
Semester 2 |
Elective units |
|||
| Students must choose two (2) of the following options. Students who intend to undertake NURS5080 Capstone (Thesis) are required to complete a research elective in place of one of these options and are advised to consult the Course Coordinator for advice regarding subject choice. | |||
| NURS5070 Creating a Culture of Safety and Quality |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| NURS5071 Strengthening Nursing Leadership |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| NURS5091 Simulation-Based Learning in Health |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Capstone options |
|||
| Students must chose one (1) of the following options: | |||
| NURS5078 Capstone (Work-based Project) |
12 | P 42 credit points Note: Department permission required for enrolmentin the following sessions:Semester 2, |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| NURS5080 Capstone (Thesis) |
12 | P NURS5069 Research in Nursing & Health Care Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Unit of study descriptions
NURS5012 Assessment and Clinical Judgement
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Assessment: 1x clinical assessment (20%) and 1x essay 2000wd (35%) and concept map, 1000wd report (45%) Campus: Mallett Street Mode of delivery: Distance Education/Intensive on Campus
The ability to undertake a focused and comprehensive patient assessment is fundamental to nursing practice. Undertaking patient assessment allows nurses to gather the requisite information to make sound clinical judgements thus this unit of study places an emphasis on the systematic collection of reliable and valid assessment data. This unit of study examines the knowledge, capabilities and clinical skills required to undertake comprehensive health assessment inclusive of physical and mental health status in complex clinical situations. Underpinning any patient assessment is a detailed understanding of normal physiological processes and the ways in which illness and injury alters these processes. In this unit of study students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to synthesise concepts of altered physiology and patient assessment with the implementation and evaluation of appropriate management strategies.
NURS5055 Intensive Care Nursing Practice
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Prerequisites: NURS5052 or NURS5059 Assessment: 2x 1500wd assignments (10%, 30%) and 1x 2.5hr exam (50%) and online modules (10%) and satisfactory completion of clinical assessment tasks Campus: Mallett Street Mode of delivery: Distance Education/Intensive on Campus
Critical illness is associated with rapidly changing clinical presentations consequently nurses providing care for the critically ill must integrate complex physiological knowledge with advanced assessment skills in order to make sound clinical decisions. In this unit of study students will explore a variety of clinical presentations including those associated with single and multiple organ failure; traumatic injury; and chronic and complex illness. Management of these clinical conditions will be explored, specifically focusing on the evidence-base of interventions and their influence on patient outcome. Critical illness is also associated with short and longer term consequences for psychosocial wellbeing of both the patient and their family. As such, an emphasis will be placed on the experience of critical illness, psychosocial recovery and the influence of critical illness on the family unit.
NURS5059 Foundations of Clinical Practice
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Assessment: 2500wd essay (30%) and 2hr exam (50%) and online activities (20%) Campus: Mallett Street Mode of delivery: Distance Education/Intensive on Campus
Increasing patient acuity in the hospital environment requires a sound understanding of alterations to normal physiological processes which assists nurses to make decisions about patient assessment and management. Within this unit of study an emphasis will be placed on exploring alterations to key physiological concepts and the associated patient assessment and management. Within in the context of these altered physiological states the acquisition of clinical assessment data, such as that obtained from laboratory and diagnostic testing, will be interpreted and applied to specific patient clinical presentations. Strategies to support physiological function and manage complex clinical presentations will be examined with students undertaking critical appraisal of treatment guidelines.
NURS5060 Complexity of Critical Illness & Injury
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Prerequisites: NURS5059 Corequisites: NURS5054 or NURS5055 Assessment: poster (50%) and 2500wd portfolio (50%) and satisfactory completion of clinical assessment tasks Campus: Mallett Street Mode of delivery: Distance Education/Intensive on Campus
Patients who experience severe traumatic injury or episodes of critical illness require advanced assessment and management in the pre-hospital phase, during transport to and stabilisation in the emergency department, and ongoing care in the intensive care unit. The critical illness/injury trajectory is complex and interdependent and effective care at each stage requires an appreciation of the care which has been provided as well as an understanding of potential ongoing management of the patient. In this unit of study we will examine the critical illness/injury trajectory from physiological and psychosocial perspectives. An evidence-based approach to patient management will focus on collaborative decision-making and the ways in which synthesised evidence informs patient care. This unit of study allows students to consolidate theoretical underpinnings of their practice and demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills and attributes required to care for critically ill or injured patients through the completion of clinical assessments.
NURS5069 Research in Nursing and Health Care
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Assessment: 2 x online activities (20%) and 2x assignments (80%) Campus: Mallett Street Mode of delivery: Distance Education/Intensive on Campus
This unit of study will examine and critique established and emerging ways of researching nursing and health care through discussion of the philosophical and theoretical origins of the research traditions and knowledge generation in nursing research. Conceptualisation of research questions, selection of research designs, governance of research and research utilisation in the clinical setting will be explored. Opportunities will be provided to engage in the research process with reference to clinically related situations.
NURS5070 Creating a Culture of Safety and Quality
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Assessment: 1x 2500wd essay (45%) and 1x 3500wd case study (55%) Campus: Mallett Street Mode of delivery: Distance Education/Intensive on Campus
This unit of study pursues a critical analysis of the theoretical constructs and practical applications underpinning good clinical governance in health care organisations.
Many studies identify the factors influencing a culture of safety and quality in the clinical environment and most concur with six main domains: the safety climate, teamwork, perceptions of management, working conditions, job satisfaction and stress recognition. These factors and how to influence them positively will be examined in this unit of study utilising a better practice (quality/continuity of care/health outcomes/governance) framework.
Many studies identify the factors influencing a culture of safety and quality in the clinical environment and most concur with six main domains: the safety climate, teamwork, perceptions of management, working conditions, job satisfaction and stress recognition. These factors and how to influence them positively will be examined in this unit of study utilising a better practice (quality/continuity of care/health outcomes/governance) framework.
NURS5071 Strengthening Nursing Leadership
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Assessment: 3000wd essay (50%) and assignment 1500wd (30%) and 1200wd reflection (20%) Campus: Mallett Street Mode of delivery: Distance Education/Intensive on Campus
The need for leadership across all clinical disciplines has been shown to be integral to safe practice and strong staff morale. Providing a clear and unambiguous framework for practice and fostering skills in moral stewardship are known to enable personal growth and strong clinical care. This unit explores a range of issues for clinicians including their legal and ethical obligations, concepts of accountability and collegiality, and strategies to increase resilience and emotional intelligence. It aims to equip nurses to take initiative, create supportive and sustaining clinical environments, have the courage of their convictions, and to celebrate curiosity.
NURS5074 Expanding Practice in the ICU and ED
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Assessment: 1x 2000wd essay (40%) and 1x learning contract (60%) Campus: Mallett Street Mode of delivery: Distance Education/Intensive on Campus
Nurses working in leadership positions within emergency departments and intensive care units provide care to groups of patients and their families. In doing so nurses must incorporate individual need with the requirements of the department/unit, hospital and area health service. The provision of coordinated care to critically ill and/or injured patients is supported by organisational structures at the hospital and area health service level, which are guided by NSW Department of Health Intensive Care and Emergency Department Planning services.
Professional bodies such as the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN) and the College of Emergency Nurses Australasia (CENA) also inform practice. In this unit of study students will explore ways in which government and professional bodies provide information that supports decision-making regarding the provision of care to critically ill and injured patients. Additionally, students will be encouraged to expand their clinical and theoretical repertoire by developing an in-depth understanding of a specific practice issue in intensive care and/or emergency nursing practice.
Professional bodies such as the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN) and the College of Emergency Nurses Australasia (CENA) also inform practice. In this unit of study students will explore ways in which government and professional bodies provide information that supports decision-making regarding the provision of care to critically ill and injured patients. Additionally, students will be encouraged to expand their clinical and theoretical repertoire by developing an in-depth understanding of a specific practice issue in intensive care and/or emergency nursing practice.
NURS5078 Capstone (Work-based Project)
Credit points: 12 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Prerequisites: 42 credit points Assessment: Presentation (5%) reflective portfolio 2 x 3000wd (35%, 40%) and presentation (20%) Campus: Mallett Street Mode of delivery: Distance Education/Intensive on Campus
Note: Department permission required for enrolmentin the following sessions:Semester 2
This unit of study will assist students to extend their development of a critically informed personal/professional position on the many issues impacting clinical nursing practice with which, as potential senior clinicians, they will continue to engage and to further develop the skills required to argue that position effectively within current clinical contexts and climates. The unit will provide a framework within which students will explore selected current clinical and professionally related situations from several perspectives. These may include those of tertiary and professional education, local, state and federal government policy development and implementation, management, and industry, workforce and regulatory perspectives. Students will also negotiate and participate in a period of partnered clinical observation with senior nurse clinicians whose work relates to the student's clinical focus, to develop a personal portfolio which will incorporate the work undertaken during the award and extend to include guided reflection on their observation and understanding of advanced practice roles in nursing.
NURS5080 Capstone (Thesis)
Credit points: 12 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Prerequisites: NURS5069 Research in Nursing & Health Care Assessment: 20000wd thesis (100%) Campus: Mallett Street Mode of delivery: Distance Education/Intensive on Campus
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit of study will provide an opportunity for students with an interest in research to conduct an in-depth exploration of a topic of professional relevance. The independent work required to develop the thesis will be undertaken under the guidance of a supervisor. The thesis will be assessed in a manner suitable for determining equivalence to work undertaken during an Honours program. Completion of high level work will therefore assist students wishing to apply for Australian Postgraduate Awards to support PhD candidature when the Capstone is completed as part of the 60 credit point master's degree. It is anticipated that a student's thesis topic will have been identified during the pre-requisite units of study and students are advised to indicate their interest in undertaking the research capstone to the Director of Postgraduate Studies as they complete the first pre-requisite unit of study NURS5069 Research in Nursing & Health Care so that specific academic advice can be provided.
NURS5091 Simulation-Based Learning in Health
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Assessment: 2500w essay (40%) and learning contract (60%) Campus: Mallett Street Mode of delivery: On-line
The use of simulation (the process of mimicking reality in an environment that can be manipulated to reflect real clinical situations) is an educational tool that is becoming increasingly prevalent in health care practice and education. Simulation activities have strong relevance to a broad range of learner levels across health professions providing a safe and controlled learning environment. Simulation can be used in task or situational training areas in order to train clinicians to anticipate certain situations and develop capability to react appropriately. Additionally, simulation has the potential to create a dynamic interprofessional learning environment, facilitating the process of learning through assessment, decision making, evaluation and error prevention or correction within the healthcare team.
This unit of study will provide learners with the opportunity to critically examine the current literature related to the instructional use of simulation in health education and practice. They will become familiar with evolving theoretical frameworks associated with the use of simulation in education and explore concepts related to technical and non-technical skill development such as: participant consent and confidentiality, levels and types of fidelity, models of instruction/tuition, immersive and non-immersive scenarios, virtual reality simulation, debriefing, participant assessment and translation to practice. Students will be encouraged to further expand their clinical and theoretical repertoire by developing a simulated learning experience, based on best evidence, and linked to education outcomes.
This unit of study will provide learners with the opportunity to critically examine the current literature related to the instructional use of simulation in health education and practice. They will become familiar with evolving theoretical frameworks associated with the use of simulation in education and explore concepts related to technical and non-technical skill development such as: participant consent and confidentiality, levels and types of fidelity, models of instruction/tuition, immersive and non-immersive scenarios, virtual reality simulation, debriefing, participant assessment and translation to practice. Students will be encouraged to further expand their clinical and theoretical repertoire by developing a simulated learning experience, based on best evidence, and linked to education outcomes.
Degree resolutions
Master of Intensive Care Nursing
These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the University policy on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.
Course resolutions
1 Course codes
|
Code |
Course title |
|---|---|
|
GG011 |
Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing |
|
GF024 |
Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing |
|
GC063 |
Master of Intensive Care Nursing |
2 Attendance pattern
0.
The attendance pattern for this course is full time or part time according to candidate choice, except for the Graduate Certificate which is part time only.
3 Master's type
0.
The master's degree in these resolutions is an advanced learning master's course, as defined by the Coursework Rule.
4 Embedded courses in this sequence
(2)
Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any of the courses in this sequence. Only the longest award completed will be conferred.
5 Admission to candidature
(1)
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants in the order in which complete applications are received, according to the following admission criteria.
(2)
Admission to each course requires the applicant to be registered to practise nursing in an Australian state or territory, or country in which they reside, and satisfy the English language proficiency requirements detailed in the faculty resolutions. In addition to these requirements, domestic applicants are required to be working in intensive care nursing and provide a statement of support from their supervisor or Nursing Unit Manager in order to undertake the required clinical assessments. International applicants are required to have a minimum of one year's experience in Intensive Care Nursing and provide a statement of support from a relevant clinical area in order to undertake the required clinical assessments. Specific admission criteria for each course are below.
(c)
In exceptional circumstances the dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the faculty, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.
(c)
completion of the requirements of the embedded graduate certificate in this discipline from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification.
(d)
In exceptional circumstances the dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the faculty, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.
(a)
a pre-registration nursing degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification with a credit average; or
(b)
a graduate diploma in a nursing discipline from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification; or
(c)
completion of the requirements of the embedded graduate certificate or graduate diploma without graduating in this discipline from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification.
(6)
Qualifications used as the basis of admission must have been completed less than ten years prior to application. Qualifications older than ten years will be considered subject to the applicant providing further information substantiating appropriate continuing education and development. In these cases, admission will be at the discretion of the dean.
6 Requirements for award
(1)
The units of study that may be taken for the courses are set out in the Units of Study table for Intensive Care Nursing.
(2)
To qualify for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing a candidate must complete 24 credit points of core units of study.
(3)
To qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing a candidate must complete 48 credit points of core units of study.
(4)
To qualify for the award of the Master of Intensive Care Nursing a candidate must complete 60 credit points, including:
(5)
Candidates are required to attend clinical simulation and fieldwork as prescribed. Where appropriate, the faculty may require individual candidates to undertake further or remedial theoretical, clinical or practical study in addition to the above requirements.
7 Time limits
(1)
A candidate must complete all the requirements for the Graduate Certificate within two and a half calendar years of first enrolment, including periods of suspension.
(2)
A candidate must complete all the requirements for the Graduate Diploma within four calendar years of first enrolment, including periods of suspension.
(3)
A candidate must complete all the requirements for the Master's degree within five calendar years of first enrolment, including periods of suspension.
8 Course transfer
0.
A candidate for the master's degree or graduate diploma may elect to discontinue study and graduate with a shorter award from this embedded sequence, with the approval of the Dean, and provided the requirements of the shorter award have been met.
9 Transitional provisions
(1)
These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2011 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2011 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2011 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed by 1 January, 2016. The faculty may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.