Unit Outline

This unit is designed to be experiential and practice focused. It will build upon theoretical knowledge introduced in CNA532 and focus on the complex healthcare needs of patients requiring specialised anaesthetic and immediate postanaesthetic (Stage 1) nursing care. The practice skills required to address complex nursing situations in the anaesthetic and postanaesthetic care unit will be covered. You will examine complications and emergencies requiring nursing intervention, coordination and management during the patient’s anaesthetic and immediate postanaesthetic (Stage 1) phase of their perioperative journey.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Utilise specialist knowledge to assess and manage complex health care needs of patients requiring anaesthetic and immediate postanaesthetic nursing care.
2.	Critically analyse best evidence practice in perianaesthesia nursing to enhance patient care.
3.	Assess various complications and emergencies requiring nursing intervention, coordination and management to determine course of action.
4.	Critically reflect on peri-anaesthesia nursing practice, identifying strengths and areas for improvement in relation to current practices and standards for the industry.
5.	Rationalise clinical decision process, including risk assessment, risk mitigation, and the outcome of these management strategies, in a variety of complex situations relating to peri-anaesthesia nursing.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

This unit has been completely redeveloped by clinical experts in consultation with educational designers, including review of intended learning outcomes, unit description, assessment tasks and learning content.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Action Plan	Week 5	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Professional Portfolio	Week 7	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	Presentation: Interactive Oral Presentation	Week 12	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Action Plan

Task Description:

You are required to evaluate your knowledge and skills against professional practice standards and guidelines to detect areas of strength and areas that need improvement. You should select at least one area for improvement and prepare an Action Plan on how you intend to fill this gap by applying evidence-based practice.

Task Length:

800 words

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and articulate specific areas of alignment and areas of gap in your personal skills and knowledge based on ACORN's expected standards.	LO1
2	Develop a clear and structured action plan outlining strategies to address identified gaps in professional skills and knowledge, as well as proficiency in areas where improvement is needed.	LO2
3	Utilise evidence-based practice principles to inform the selection of strategies and interventions outlined in the action plan.	LO3
4	Critically reflect on the implications of identified gaps in professional skills and knowledge for patient care and safety.	LO4
5	Communicate the action plan effectively using clear, concise language and appropriate professional terminology.	LO5

Assessment Task 2: Professional Portfolio

Task Description:

You are required to create and maintain a professional portfolio throughout your study whereby you gather evidence of your ability to complete clinical skills as well as reflect on learnings from your own practice in the field.

Due Weeks: 7, 10, 13.

Task Length:

1600 words

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Provide evidence of competence in performing nursing assessments, interventions, and procedures required for perianaesthesia nursing.	LO1
2	Apply theoretical knowledge and principles learned in academic coursework to evaluate practical, real-world scenarios encountered in nursing practice.	LO2
3	Critically appraise research literature and apply evidence-based guidelines and protocols in clinical decision-making.	LO3
4	Engage in reflective practice to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented strategies and interventions in addressing identified gaps.	LO4
5	Demonstrates professionalism in written communication, adhering to conventions of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting.	LO5

Assessment Task 3: Presentation: Interactive Oral Presentation

Task Description:

You will present a real-life case based on specific criteria and have to provide the rationale for the assessment, management, and risk mitigation you undertook, as well as any challenges you faced and what you did as a result. You will have to respond to follow-up questions from teaching staff in relation to your decisions.

Task Length:

10 -15 minutes (equivalent to 1600 words)

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Outline relevant details of a real-life case, including patient demographics, medical history, presenting symptoms, and clinical findings to contextualise the case and facilitate understanding among the audience.	LO1
2	Apply critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills to analyse the patient's condition, identify potential health issues, and formulate differential diagnoses.	LO2
3	Justify the selection of assessment techniques, diagnostic tests, and interventions based on evidence-based practice and professional guidelines.	LO3
4	Reflect on key learning points, challenges, and insights gained from the case presentation, identifying areas for personal and professional growth, including any ethical issues.	LO4
5	Communicate technical and medical information in a clear, concise, and accessible manner, using language that is understandable to non-medical audiences.	LO5

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

There are no required textbooks for this unit.

Required Readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator via the Reading List link in MyLO, or the unit Reading List on the University Library website.