Unit Outline

This unit focuses on developing perioperative clinical skills based on Australian College of Perioperative Nurses (ACORN) principles of practice. Successful completion of this unit enable you to deliver person-centred care within the context of the perioperative environment.

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.	Critically analyse safe work practices and workplace hazards within the perioperative setting.
2.	Critically evaluate person-centred care priorities during the perioperative continuum of care and apply these to practice.
3.	Apply the Australian College of Perioperative Nurses (ACORN) Standards for Perioperative Nursing and achieve ACORN Practical Clinical Skills Competencies within the perioperative environment.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

No alterations have been made as a result of student feedback.

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:	Clinical Practice Portfolio	See the MyLO site for the due date	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Clinical Safety Report	Week 7	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Clinical Practice Portfolio

Task Description:

This assessment task provides an opportunity to showcase your skill development over the semester and reflect your learning and will be presented in a clinical practice portfolio.

Task Length:

Equivalent to 2000 words.

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Tasks performed as part of the clinical practice portfolio demonstrate alignment with professional standards within the perioperative setting.	LO2, LO3
2	Evidence presented in the clinical practice portfolio is supported by research and practice guidelines demonstrating links between theory, and practice.	LO3
3	Communicate clearly and succinctly using the current APA Style.	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Clinical Safety Report

Task Description:

This assessment task requires you to critically analyse an actual or potential safety issue (can be patient or staff) in your clinical setting.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identifies the safety issue (actual or potential) relevant to your clinical setting and the implications for perioperative nursing practice.	LO1, LO3
2	Analyses the issue in the context of ACORN standards, contemporary scholarly literature and evidence-informed guidelines.	LO1, LO3
3	Proposes strategies for controlling the risk to ensure patient and staff safety.	LO1, LO3
4	Discusses the implications of your analysis for your practice setting.	LO1, LO2, LO3
5	Communicate clearly and succinctly using the current APA Style.	LO1, 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 and 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.

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

Rothrock, J. (2023). Alexander’s Care of the Patient in Surgery (17th ed.). Mosby.

Sutherland-Fraser, S., Davies, M., Gillespie, B., & Lockwood, B. (Eds.). (2022). Perioperative nursing: An introductory text. Elsevier Australia.

Available via the unit reading list on MyLO. Loan copies only available.

Australian College of Perioperative Nurses. (2023). The new ACORN standards: 2023 standards for safe and quality care in the perioperative environment (SSQCPE) for organizations (vol.3).

Australian College of Perioperative Nurses. (2023). The new ACORN standards: 2023 professional practice standards for perioperative nurses (PPSPN) for organisations (vol.4).

Available via the unit reading on MyLO as an online resource.