The ability to undertake a focused and comprehensive patient assessment is fundamental to nursing practice. Conducting patient assessment allows nurses to gather the requisite information to make sound clinical judgements. With 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, mental health, social, ethnic and cultural dimensions 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 you will critically analyse approaches to research through examination of the philosophical and theoretical origins of the research traditions and knowledge generation in nursing and other health research. Conceptualisation of research questions, selection of research designs, governance of research and research evidence and knowledge translation in the clinical setting will be explored. Opportunities will be provided to engage in research design and translation with reference to clinical nursing situations.

This unit of study focuses on pathophysiological concepts and processes related to human responses to disease and illness. Using a conceptual approach, students will be provided with the opportunity to apply research findings to gain a deeper understanding of patient assessment information. The conceptual approach assists students to focus on clinical problems encountered across common disease categories and populations. This approach assists nurses in developing a systematic approach when making observations and formulating questions for further investigations about events or conditions that influence patient signs and symptoms. The application of these processes and concepts provides a knowledge base for registered nurses to improve clinical judgements and decision-making in the management of patients with complex changes in health status. Students will undertake a further period of supernumerary integrated professional practice (SIPP) (60 hours) verified by their approved supervisor concurrently while undertaking this unit of study.

The unit provides direction and mentorship in assisting students to develop their knowledge and skills in relation to the NMBA Nurse Practitioner Standards for Practice (NMBA 2014) which will therefore be suitable for demonstrating their future capability to practice as a nurse practitioner. Selected current clinical and professionally related topics including: clinical judgement and decision making in advanced practice, risk benefit and risk management, judicious referrals, interdisciplinary practice, health promotion and counselling skills and the ethical and legal considerations of practice as a future nurse practitioner, will be explored both within the classroom and during a specified period of supernumerary integrated professional practice (SIPP) with an approved clinical supervisor (senior clinician whose work relates to the student's clinical focus).

The Australian healthcare system is dynamic and continues to experience significant clinical, structural and socio-political transformations. The need for strong and effective leadership has never been more evident, particularly at the clinical interface. While the concept of leadership is not new, the provision of leadership in the clinical arena is now a central component of clinical practice for all health professionals and particularly nurses who, as a profession, comprise much of the health workforce. This unit is structured to enhance the students understanding of what it means to be a nurse leader. It provides a framework for exploring nursing leadership at a personal, clinical and organisational level. It aims to encourage students to take initiative and create supportive and compassionate clinical environments that deliver high quality, safe care to patients. This unit of study pursues a critical analysis of leadership and the context in which nursing leadership occurs. It covers a broad range of topics and is designed to provide students with a detailed understanding of the multiple and often conflicting contexts in which nursing leadership is situated.

This unit of study aims to empower the advanced practice nurse through an in depth knowledge and understanding of medications in relation to their actions on physiological and pathophysiological processes. Topics covered include pathophysiology, pharmacology and therapeutic principles to the management of common diseases. In NURS5088 these include; cardiovascular, renal, endocrine, infectious diseases, mental health and pain management. An emphasis is placed on the application of knowledge to evaluate and advise upon pharmacotherapy in clinical situations via complex case studies. Students will also apply professional problem solving skills to identify critical issues, conceptualise problems, use relevant information and formulate a range of solutions based on an evidence-based decision framework in relation to the provision of medicines or health advice.

This unit of study is a core unit for students completing the Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) and aims to prepare students to develop the knowledge and skills to conduct an advanced assessment and make an appropriate diagnosis as part of advanced and extended nursing practice. Diagnostic reasoning is the hallmark of an expert nurse practitioner. The ability to gather and judge the value of perceptual and clinical information to inform choices and provide benefit to patients with minimal risk of harm is at the heart of advanced practice nursing. Nurse practitioners are required to make effective practice decisions and use informed judgement, frequently in the context of uncertainty and for patients with complex health problems. Nurse practitioners are required to use effective communication strategies, including cross-cultural communication, with inter-professional colleagues, patients and the broader community. Students will undertake a period of supernumerary integrated professional practice (SIPP) (60 hours) verified by their approved supervisor concurrently while undertaking this unit of study.

With reference to one of the central objectives of Australia's National Medicines Policy, the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM), students will focus on developing skills related to selecting management options wisely considering the risk and benefit to the consumer, choosing suitable medicines if a medicine is considered necessary and using medicines safely and effectively. Students will explore the regulatory framework associated with medication management and focus on clinical pharmacological therapies relevant to their specialist area of practice as an advanced practitioner. Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) is one of the central objectives of Australia's National Medicines Policy and serves as a conceptual and practice framework for this unit of study. Quality Use of Medicines is defined as: considering and selecting the best management options for each individual wisely by considering both non-drug and drug options; choosing suitable medicines if a medicine is considered necessary so that the best available option is selected by taking into account the individual, the clinical condition, the risks and benefits, dosage and length of treatment required, any coexisting conditions, other therapies the individual may be taking, monitoring considerations, costs for the individual, the community and the health system as a whole, and ensuring medicines are used safely and effectively to get the best possible results by monitoring outcomes, minimising misuse, overuse and underuse and improving people's ability to solve problems related to medication.

This unit of study explores ways of expanding nursingpractice.Nursespractising at an advanced practice level incorporate professional leadership, education, research and support of systems into their practice. Their practice includes relevant expertise, critical thinking, complex decision-making, autonomous practice and is effective and safe. They work within a generalist or specialist context and they are responsible and accountable in managing people who have complex healthcare requirements. The characteristics for expanded nursing practice are shaped by the contexts in which nurses practice including organisational needs.Nursing practice isinformedbytheory, evidence, experiential learning,legislationand by relevant nursing professional bodies and associations. In order to expand practice, nurses need to have comprehensive knowledge, skillsand clinicalcompetence relevanttothe context of theirpractice, with the primary motivation to meet the healthcareneeds of people. Therefore, this unit will assist students to envisage possibilities for expanding nursing practice within existing professional, organisationaland legislative frameworks. As part of expanding the individual nurse’s repertoire, students will have the opportunity to further develop specialistknowledge and practice related to a specific practice topic.

This unit of study will assist students to extend their specialty­focused development of advanced and extended nursing practice through development of a professional portfolio. This unit of study will provide a framework within which students will have the opportunity to locate previous work, both academic and clinical that supports their capability to fulfil the role of the nurse practitioner in managing patients/clients within current policy and political contexts. The unit provides direction and mentorship in assisting students to develop their professional portfolio based on the Nursing and Midwifery Australia Nurse Practitioner Standards for Practice, and it will therefore be suitable for demonstrating their capability to practice as a nurse practitioner.