Unit Outline
CNA573
Contemporary Renal Replacement Therapy
Semester 2, 2024
Deborah Fortnum
School of Nursing
College of Health and Medicine
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
Deborah Fortnum
Email: Deborah.Fortnum@utas.edu.au
 

What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
This unit will address specialty nursing practices in a range of renal replacement technologies. The skills involved will include physiological and clinical aspects as they relate to the student's practice environment and patient population.
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
Discuss the spectrum of treatment options available to clients with end stage renal disease (ESRD).
2
Critically analyse clinical practice in renal replacement therapies.
3
Reflect on your own practice as a nephrology nurse in terms of current best practices for achieving optimal ESRD client outcomes.
Alterations as a result of student feedback
Regular monitoring and review have been undertaken.
 
 

Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
Online
Individual Study
Individual self-directed learning - 10 hours per week.
10
StudyPeriod 13 times
Online Class
Online webinar - 3 x 1 hour
1
Study Period 3 times
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
 
 
 

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:
Online Discussion
Week 4
30 %
LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:
Clinical Scenarios
Week 6
40 %
LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 3:
Clinical Skill Assessment and Reflection
Week 13
30 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Online Discussion
Task Description:
This online forum will develop your understanding of all aspects of supportive care, from decision making to the end of life.

Participate in an online discussion forum on topics related to supportive care.
Task Length:
1000 words (4 x 250 word posts)
Due Date:
Week 4
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Analyse issues affecting best practice in renal replacement therapies based on contemporary research literature.
LO1, LO2
2
Actively participate in the discussion forum, engaging with at least two other students.
LO1, LO2
3
Communicates clearly and succinctly using the current APA Style.
LO1, LO2
 
Assessment Task 2: Clinical Scenarios
Task Description:
This assessment task aims to give you an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of Renal Transplant and Peritoneal Dialysis or Haemodialysis nursing.

In this assessment task, you will focus on two provided clinical scenarios in the form of written questions:
Part a: transplantation scenario
Part b: your choice of either Peritoneal Dialysis or Haemodialysis scenario.

Week Due: Part a - Week 6
Part b - Week 12
Task Length:
1800 words
Due Date:
Week 6
Weight:
40 %
 
 

CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Discuss appropriate clinical practice for the particular case scenario.
LO1, LO2
2
Critique key practice issues supported by scholarly literature.
LO1, LO2
3
Communicates clearly and succinctly using the current APA Style.
LO1, LO2
 
Assessment Task 3: Clinical Skill Assessment and Reflection
Task Description:
This practical activity and reflection will illustrate your professional development in nephrology nursing practice, particularly Haemodialysis or Peritoneal dialysis, over the semester.

You are to undertake a workplace clinical assessment by your agreed in-practice support person. This will include a written summary of your critical reflections on the knowledge developed during this semester and how your practice has changed
Task Length:
Clinical Skill Assessment + 1200 words reflection
Due Date:
Week 13
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Mandatory. Complete required clinical skill assessments based on the rating scale provided, validated by your clinical support person.
LO1, LO2, LO3
2
Reflect on your own practice as a registered nurse caring for a client receiving renal replacement therapy.
LO2, LO3
3
Critically analyse your clinical practice compared to evidence-based practice for achieving optimal client outcomes.
LO2, LO3
4
Critique key practice issues supported by scholarly literature.
LO2, LO3
5
Communicates clearly and succinctly using the current APA Style.
LO2, LO3
 
 
 

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
You will need access to at least one of the following text (available via the library reading list):
Thomas, N (ed.) 2019, Renal Nursing, 5th edn., John Wiley, West Sussex, UK
Bodin, S (Ed.) 2017, Contemporary Nephrology Nursing, (3rd edn.) American Nephrology Nurses' Association - available via unit reading list under Texts.
Taal, M, Brenner, B, & Rector, F, (Eds.) 2020, Brenner & Rector's the Kidney [electronic resource] - available via unit reading list under Texts
 
Recommended reading materials
Recommended 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.
 
Other required resources