This unit of study provides an introduction to human anatomy and physiology. It includes an overview of cell and tissue structures, the skeletal system, nutrition, digestion and excretion. Human Biology looks at how our bodies respond to environmental stimuli with respect to the endocrine, nervous and immune systems. After discussion of reproduction and development, it concludes with an overview of modern studies in human genetics. This unit has four main components: lectures, practicals, workshops and HB Online activities; this unit of study provides a suitable foundation for intermediate biology units of study.

This is an introductory unit for students entering the health sciences. The unit will provide students with knowledge and understanding of key approaches to health and illness, patterns of health and disease at a national and international level, and how we measure health status in an individual, a community and a nation. Students will gain an understanding of who provides health care at the professional, community and family level, and the roles taken up by non-professionals in advocating for change through health-focused consumer and community-based support groups. Students will develop a range of core skills and competencies needed in the study and practice of health sciences and as a basis for working in health-related areas or for postgraduate study.

Psychology 1001 is a general introduction to the main topics and methods of psychology, and is the basis for advanced work as well as being of use to those not proceeding with the subject. Psychology 1001 covers the following areas: science and statistics in psychology; emotion; themes in the history of psychology; social psychology; personality theory; human development.

This unit will introduce students to the main social and economic factors associated with patterns of health in Australia and a global context and will explore the social, cultural and environmental processes involved in determining the similarities and disparities in the health of populations and peoples, drawing primarily on sociological approaches. Students will be introduced to a repertoire of key concepts for understanding these processes including class, gender, occupation, ethnicity, indigeneity, disability, inequality, globalisation, and the role of governments.

The unit of study comprises three modules: health care systems - provides foundational knowledge about the Australian health care system in an international context; approaches to health policy - introduces students to the key approaches and concepts in health policy analysis and applies them to contemporary challenges in Australian health policy; key challenges in health care resources and systems - outlines key challenges for analysis.

This unit of study will examine various biological processes to assist students in developing their understanding of human cellular structure and function and the contribution this makes to healthy body function. The role of pharmacotherapy and specific pharmacological interventions aimed at restoring or replacing the function of specific cells, tissues or organs affected by these pathological changes will be considered.

'This unit of study provides an opportunity for students to develop an understanding of professional nursing; 'what it is and what it is not' (Nightingale, 1859) and to observe and explore the roles and relationships among nurses, patients and other health professionals in a practice setting. The unit will introduce physical assessment, work health and safety and will equip nursing students to develop a 'toolkit' of fundamental nursing practice strategies and 'craft' skills. This will include a focus on working with patients across the lifespan and within different cultural groups. Students will be introduced to the cycle of practice thinking and patterns of knowing that underpin nursing practice.

The unit of study introduces students to the design and evaluation of research questions relating to health. Drawing on both qualitative and quantitative research methods, students will be introduced to key concepts relating to methodology; research design and research method.

The ways in which individual people subjectively experience illness and care, particularly nursing care, is the focus of this unit of study. The unit encourages students to think critically about their own attitudes, beliefs, and ideas about health, illness, and care, and to examine how these might have a bearing on the experiences of those in their care. Theories that inform understanding of what it is to be human are examined. Attention is drawn to such factors as embodiment, illness and the body, emotions arising in illness, issues of self-identity and social attitudes to illness and disability. The unit also introduces students to qualitative research methodologies that are used to explore illness experiences. A variety of illness experiences are then examined. With this knowledge, the nurse-patient relationship is then critically examined. From within a communication-based framework, students focus on ideas about therapeutic listening and use of self as well as the concept of knowledge transfer as it is relevant to nurse-patient interactions. Students also engage with contemporary debates about the nature of nurse-patient interactions and relationships today and explore the ways in which these might vary in different health care settings, and with people from different cultural backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The knowledge acquired in The Body, Its Function and Pharmacology will be used as a foundation for this unit of study. Basic cellular changes associated with normal function and disease of the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, musculoskeletal and immunological systems will be explored. Pharmacological interventions aimed at restoring or replacing the function of specific cells, tissues or organs affected by these pathological changes will be considered.

The main focus of this unit is on the social determinants of health through a critical analysis of the relationships between social factors (e. g, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, employment) and patterns of health and illness across the lifespan in contemporary Australia. The unit includes a module that introduces students to epidemiology, the study of causes and patterns of disease within defined populations. This unit is underpinned by the understanding that ideas and beliefs about health, illness and care are intrinsically connected to particular social and historical contexts. Some of these ideas and beliefs relevant to Australia today will be explored. The unit also introduces students to the study of cultural competence as it relates to health care in contemporary Australia.

This unit of study complements Introduction to Nursing Practice and further develops the understanding of clinical judgement in practice and the role of nursing in assisting those experiencing hospitalisation. Such assistance includes but is not limited to: maintenance of appropriate fluid status, infection control, oral medications, effective levels of oxygenation and pain relief. This knowledge will be extended to incorporate the experience of caring for patients when the body fails to function as expected, and particularly where surgery is required. This unit of study will further develop skills in physical assessment, communication, and documentation and introduce students to medication administration.

This unit of study complements Illness Experience and Nursing Care, focusing on the responses of individuals and others to disruption to health. This unit of study aims to address issues surrounding acute nursing practices for various patients with common health care needs. Nursing practices associated with: the restoration and maintenance of oxygenation, ventilation and circulation; metabolism and elimination; consciousness and regulation; and movement and protection, are expanded upon using the framework for practice thinking. A life span approach will be used throughout with a focus on how diseases manifest and are treated differently as they occur at different life stages. In this unit of study students will further develop comprehensive health assessment skills and their understandings of accurate medication administration.

This unit of study is based on the principle that knowledge of mental health and illness and skills related to working with people with compromised mental health, are essential for all nurses. The unit of study is underpinned by a biopsychosocial or whole-person approach that privileges the individual experience of those with mental health problems. Students are introduced to the constructs of mental health and wellbeing and mental illness and how these apply across the life span alongside cultural and gender influences. Using the context of a whole-person approach, students will explore the role of the nurse in promoting mental health, preventing mental health problems and minimising negative effects of mental illness for individuals and their family/carers. Mental health and illness are explored in relation to determinants of health/risk and protective factors; the stress-vulnerability model, prevalent and low-prevalent mental health problems (for example depression and schizophrenia) and the varied manifestations of symptoms, including mood, anxiety, and psychotic symptoms. Current evidence for nursing care, psychotherapeutic interventions and physical treatment approaches are addressed in relation to symptom management and promotion of mental health and wellbeing. Consumer and carer perspectives will inform and further strengthen students' understandings. Comorbid physical health conditions and/or poor physical health are common for people experiencing mental health problems regardless of age or diagnosis. In addition, high co-occurrence of substance use is an area of significant concern for this population. These issues increase the complexity and burden of illness. Comorbid conditions and their implications are broadly addressed and the nursing management of comorbid conditions is considered. The nurse's effective use of self and the therapeutic nurse/client relationship are core aspects of nursing practice with mental health consumers that are addressed from both a theoretical and practical perspective. Students will consider how to develop and demonstrate requisite interpersonal communication skills and will develop foundational assessment and interviewing skills. The care continuum in mental health and the scope of nursing practice in a range of mental health and ethico-legal contexts are addressed with the overall aim of promoting nursing practice that supports effective outcomes for mental health consumers and their family/carers across community, primary and acute care settings.

This unit of study addresses nursing practices designed to meet the needs of individuals and families who are either living with long-term health conditions or terminal illness. A lifespan approach, childhood to old age, will provide an overview. An emphasis is placed on an holistic approach to nursing care, irrespective of setting. Continuity of care provision between hospital and community is emphasised using a case management model of care. The dynamics of self management for persons living with chronic conditions will be highlighted. Common chronic conditions in the Australian population will be identified together with their lifestyle and biomedical risk factors. Mental health issues will be addressed where appropriate, and chronic pain, its impact and management will be discussed as many chronic conditions have pain as a component. Co-morbidities, particularly within the care of elderly persons, will be explored. The importance of community engagement in addressing issues associated with chronic conditions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities will be studied. Palliative nursing skills will be a focus, including symptom management and psychosocial care which facilitate a peaceful and dignified death.

This unit of study extends the students understanding of acute illness and introduces them to the complex challenges of caring for critically ill and physiologically unstable patients in high acuity settings. An important component of this unit of study is the understanding of the nursing assessment and management required when caring for patients with rapidly changing clinical conditions. Using a systematic approach to patient assessment students will develop nursing practices and interventions designed to meet the needs of these patients. In this context, specific clinical situations will be identified which include caring for patients with altered circulation, trauma, and severe sepsis. This unit also explores the high acuity environment and the technological monitoring devices that can be used to assist in the management of these acutely ill patients. It builds on knowledge and capabilities developed in NURS 5084 Nursing the Acutely Ill Person

Nursing practice involves complex and demanding work, influenced by large bureaucracies and challenging healthcare environments in a constant state of flux. Nurses can empower their practice and thrive in the workplace as health professionals and leaders, by developing the key strategy of resilience. This unit of study is framed by the construct of 'health professional resilience', characterised by the capacity to withstand the negative effects and significant change enhanced by individual and environmental protective factors and research-informed decision making.
The unit is designed to: 1) assist students to prepare for transition into the nursing workforce and therefore inform their management of future transitions and changes throughout their nursing career, and 2) to understand and respond to internal and external influences on current practice and professional issues, particularly those relevant to leadership development. Following an introduction to resources to inform leadership decisions, the unit examines key elements of the regulation of health care professionals, using nursing as the example. These elements include registration components, professional-ethical standards, professional competence and practice evaluation.
The unit also addresses key characteristics of resilience in the healthcare workplace, with a focus on emotional intelligence required by nurses to take a leadership role in coordination of nursing and health care, and to develop effective clinical nurse-patient, intra-professional and interdisciplinary relationships.

The fundamental rights and freedoms we enjoy as Australians are universal. Australia has affirmed, within our support for fundamental rights and freedoms, 'that Indigenous peoples are equal to all other peoples, while recognising the right of all peoples to be different, to consider themselves different, and to be respected as such' (UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples). Nurses play a pivotal role in ensuring that the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are maintained throughout the health sector. The challenge for nursing is how, in a diverse society, do we navigate the translation of rights to reality? Culturally valid understandings must shape the provision of services and must guide assessment, care and management of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's health (Purdie, Dudgeon and Walker, 2009). Subject content explores the practice of cultural competence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The subject covers topics such as contemporary Indigenous health and the ways in which historical circumstances have had, and continue to have, an impact on the health of Indigenous peoples. The unit will focus primarily on the health of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples, but will also briefly explore the health of Indigenous populations in other comparable western nations. Students will explore in some depth the most significant social determinants of health as these relate to the health of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island populations. The unit will also focus on the relationship between access to health care services and health outcomes for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples, and the concept of cultural diversity in relation to the provision of health care services to people from Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island backgrounds.

Increasingly complex and chronic health conditions are being managed in the community. This unit of study examines the major concepts and principles of community health nursing including self-care, continuity of care, primary health care, health promotion/illness prevention, community assessment, family assessment, and home care. Approaches to the provision of nursing care for people of all ages with acute, chronic, or life threatening illness in settings where they live will be examined. Particular attention will be given to case management and the home visit process: its therapeutic nature, communication skills and safety issues. Areas of specialisation within community health will also be discussed, and the nurse's role in health promotion and disease prevention will be explored with special consideration given to aboriginal, and child and adolescent health. Epidemiological concepts and methodologies integral to community health nursing are explored. Students will undertake a community assessment of a chosen local government area using a 'community profile' approach. They also examine a public health problem in relation to the local government area, with the role of the community nurse in addressing the public health problem. Community clinical placements will provide students with the opportunity to consolidate and integrate theoretical knowledge and community nursing practice.

This unit of study critically analyses the Australian health-care system, with an emphasis on its structure, funding arrangements, and the ways in which it is influenced by contemporary ideologies and economic and political factors. The unit focuses on current political issues and debates (including those concerning nursing and other health professionals) and the ways in which these affect health policy and the delivery of care in Australia and globally. The unit has a particular focus on issues of access and equity, resource allocation, and multidisciplinary teamwork. The Australian health care system is compared with other OECD country systems to help students to think critically about the effectiveness of the Australian system in global terms. The unit explores the role of nurses as global citizens and the role of the profession in its global context.

This unit of study builds on foundational research and inquiry methods introduced within the context of the pre-requisite units to prepare students to recognise the quality and appropriateness of research for translation into nursing knowledge and practice. The process of inquiry is reviewed in relation to clinical questioning, selection of appropriate study designs and literature, consideration of patient and family values and the organisational, ethical and policy environment. Research methods are examined within the context of judging the quality and appropriateness of published research findings for application to practice. Students will be introduced to evidence implementation frameworks that are inclusive of evaluation research techniques.

This unit of study extends students' knowledge and skills in a clinical nursing environment of their choice in preparation for practice as a registered nurse. It provides students the opportunity to consolidate prior learning and expands their knowledge base across a variety of health care settings for example: aged care, palliative care, mental health, perioperative, high acuity, paediatrics or primary health care. The framework of the nursing practice thinking cycle will guide the teaching learning strategies and focus on clinical decision making in a range of settings.

The aim of this unit of study is to bridge the gap in understanding the post-colonial impact on the health of Indigenous Australians today. It explores how imposed policies have contributed to the disadvantage experienced by Indigenous Australians and how this has been perpetuated through the generations contributing to the high incidences of various health conditions. The unit of study will also provide students with avenues of Best Practice in closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people for effective health service delivery.

This unit of study focuses on ethics and law in relation to the Australian health system. Fundamental ethical principles applied to ethical issues in health and health research are covered. Medico-legal aspects of health and health services will be explored. Particular areas of focus include mental health, health complaints, reproductive technologies, the start and end of life, disability, public health and genetic technology. Students will develop their own ethical thinking and an understanding of professionally acceptable behaviours appropriate to practice in a wide range of health professions. Learning is interactive and scenarios are used to develop ethical thinking. Students get to write a research report on an ethical and legal issue of their choosing.

This unit introduces students to a range of practice and research issues in rural health care. Topics covered include: the nature and variety of rural settings; special populations and cultural safety; rural health needs and access to health services; relevant models of health service delivery; and the rural health workforce and inter-professional practice.

Cultural practices, disease patterns and healthcare systems are vastly different in different countries around the globe. This unit provides students with the opportunity to gain international experience in a health services setting in a developing country. Students will participate in a 4-6 week health or care placement with a community-based organisation in South or Southeast Asia. Countries where students can be placed include Vietnam, Cambodia, India and Nepal. As part of the unit, you will be expected to participate in local development programs, live within the community that you are visiting, and document and reflect on key health and development issues facing local populations. The unit will require you to demonstrate cultural sensitivity and an ability to adapt to new environments, a capacity for critical reflection and awareness of complex global health and development issues.

Poor mental health poses a major challenge to our society, and health care professionals, among others, are charged with 'making a difference'. To do so, they need to be equipped with the most up-to-date knowledge of effective mental health approaches and interventions. This unit will overview major mental health conditions and significant social, philosophical, and historical influences on health care service delivery and reform to provide a context for contemporary rehabilitation practice. Students will be introduced to the goals, values and guiding principles of psychiatric rehabilitation and to practices that aim to address the culture of stigma and low expectations by society of people with mental health conditions. Rehabilitation interventions that have demonstrated efficacy in promoting recovery by reducing obstacles to participation for people with mental health conditions will be examined. Local and international research underpinning best practice in rehabilitation management and service delivery will be reviewed and consumer perspectives and experiences explored.

This unit of study introduces students to the key theories, principles and frameworks underpinning health promotion. Students will critically examine lifestyle/behavioural and socio-ecological approaches, models of community participation, and settings approaches. Students will develop an appreciation that effective health promotion involves actions that are aimed, not only at increasing the knowledge and skills of individuals, but also actions to strengthen community action and to create living and working environments that support health. Students will develop knowledge in the application of health promotion programs in diverse populations and settings, including Indigenous, CALD and rural groups. Students will consider how health promotion fits within the broader health context, and the ways in which health promotion practitioners work collaboratively with communities, work places, schools, government and other health professionals to improve the health of populations. The theoretical and applied skills that students develop will prepare students for careers in health promotion practice and research.

The aim of this unit of study is to bridge the gap in understanding the post-colonial impact on the health of Indigenous Australians today. It explores how imposed policies have contributed to the disadvantage experienced by Indigenous Australians and how this has been perpetuated through the generations contributing to the high incidences of various health conditions. The unit of study will also provide students with avenues of Best Practice in closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people for effective health service delivery.

This unit of study offers students an insight into the larger picture of how a nation sets priorities for health services. The importance of evidence-based health policy development in planning health services will be highlighted. Strategies for increasing the cost-effectiveness of health services will be covered. Issues of communication and advocacy in health are portrayed. Students will gain skills in health service needs assessment, measuring cost-effectiveness, macroeconomic evaluation of health services and systems and health equity assessment. It is envisaged that students will develop a capacity to understand the concept of health policy and its relevance to the delivery of health care services and to take a problem-oriented approach to analysing and evaluating current policy provisions and strategies in the Australian context.

This unit examines theoretical and practical issues confronting global health professionals, especially in low resource settings. The unit introduces students to: a) historical, political and economic forces that influence the health of populations around the world and contribute to international health inequities; and b) international health practices, including key actors and initiatives, as well as challenges and strategies for working in post-colonial and cross-cultural contexts. Examples of topics covered include health, poverty and inequality, globalisation and trade, foreign aid and development assistance. The unit also provides an introductory overview of contemporary international health challenges such as humanitarian crises and climate change. Students will undertake an in-depth study of a global health issue, exploring the context in which it emerged and the forces that propel it, and advocate for actions to improve the issue in a specific local context and population group.

In this unit of study, students will explore: the nature of various disabilities across the lifespan; factors which affect the participation of persons with lifelong disability in everyday activities; understand the roles and responsibilities of health professionals who work with children, adolescents, and adults with lifelong disabilities and their families; and the main interventions provided. Students will have the opportunity to hear directly from people living with a disability, and stakeholders and experts including allied health professional. It is expected that through a combination of face-to-face teaching and online learning activities, this unit will assist students in preparing to work with individuals with lifelong disabilities in a range of workplace settings. It is expected that through a combination of face-to-face teaching and online learning activities, this unit will assist students in preparing to work with individuals with lifelong disabilities in a range of workplace settings.

Cultural practices, disease patterns and healthcare systems are vastly different in different countries around the globe. This unit provides students with the opportunity to gain international experience in a health services setting in a developing country. Students will participate in a 4-6 week health or care placement with a community-based organisation in South or Southeast Asia. Countries where students can be placed include Vietnam, Cambodia, India and Nepal. As part of the unit, you will be expected to participate in local development programs, live within the community that you are visiting, and document and reflect on key health and development issues facing local populations. The unit will require you to demonstrate cultural sensitivity and an ability to adapt to new environments, a capacity for critical reflection and awareness of complex global health and development issues.

This unit introduces students to issues relating to a major public health problem: the misuse of alcohol and other addictive drugs. The unit introduces students to two major aspects of this area: issues relating to the development of health prevention/health promotion policy, covering the philosophies of harm minimisation and zero tolerance; approaches to rehabilitation and treatment of those overusing both alcohol and other drugs. The unit commences with an analysis of public health policy approaches to the rehabilitation and treatment of people overusing alcohol and other harmful drugs. Students will be required to undertake an exercise involving an analysis of the effectiveness of the two major policy approaches to the problem of drug overuse and abuse: harm reduction and zero tolerance. They will be required to examine the evidence supporting these two approaches to public health policy. In the second part of the unit students will study the major therapeutic approaches to treatment and rehabilitation. This will include familiarisation with Alcoholics Anonymous, clinically based approaches including transactional analysis and other group therapy oriented approaches, the various behavioural therapies, therapeutic communities, methadone maintenance, needle exchange and recent trails in safe injection facilities. They will become familiar with the nature of services offered, the role of the various health professionals in these services and the nature of effective treatment and rehabilitation outcomes.

Evidence-based health care is the conscientious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individuals or the delivery of health services. This unit will introduce you to evidence based health care by developing your understanding of knowledge and evidence, and critical appraisal skills to inform your decision making in health care policy and practice.

This unit is designed to assist students understand the principles of writing a research proposal, applicable for either project planning or evaluation within health or for further research (eg Honours). Students will be introduced to the key components of preparing and writing up a proposal: purpose of the research and question(s) to be addressed; reviewing existing literature on the topic; deciding on a research methodology and methods used to collect data; proposing an approach for data analysis; identifying ethical issues and working through the process of applying for ethics approval; providing a clear plan and timeline for each stage of the research. At the completion of this unit, students will have planned, orally presented and written up a research proposal. This unit of study is recommended for students who wish to undertake Honours after completion of the pass degree.

This unit teaches about the research process from development of a research question to study design, quantitative data analysis, and interpretation of outcomes in the context of theory and practical applications. You will learn about concepts and logic that apply to quantitative research in general, with an emphasis on issues and types of studies most relevant in health research. As either an individual or group exercise, you will perform most aspects of the research process using examples given to you or created by you, and will receive comprehensive feedback along the way. The unit will prepare you to critically evaluate research findings in your future career, and to engage in further research training should you wish to do so. Skills you are expected to develop include succinct academic writing, simple data analysis using SPSS, and developing ideas in the context of teamwork.

This unit of study has three aims: to build on core units of study offered in First Year and Second Year to provide critical appraisal skills in reading and utilising qualitative research related to health behaviour and health care; to understand the theoretical orientation of contemporary qualitative health research methods; and to develop skills in undertaking qualitative research methods. With a focus on applying critical and theoretical knowledge, the unit has a practical orientation and students will gain experience in techniques of observation, document analysis, in-depth interviewing and focus group interviews.