Unit Outline

In this unit, you will apply an integrative approach to identifying and managing the symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment. Emphasising holistic care, you will address the physical, psychological and spiritual issues that impact the lives of those affected by cancer. You will explore the diverse needs of patients and the pivotal role of the nurse throughout all phases of the cancer continuum. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance your ability to provide evidence-informed, empathetic, patient-centred care and support optimal health outcomes.

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	Demonstrate increased knowledge and management of common symptoms and side effects associated with cancers and their treatments and apply understanding of the time sequence of treatment side effects.
2	Develop and implement strategies for cancer patients to cope and live with their cancer
3	Apply advanced holistic health promoting and patient education skills to the oncology patient, including evidence based approached to cancer nursing care.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

This unit has been redesigned to enhance engagement and support scaffolded learning. Interactive content and knowledge checks have been introduced throughout to help consolidate key concepts. A third assessment task has also been added, providing more opportunities for feedback and progressive skill development across the semester.

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:	Development of a patient resource	Week 5	30 %	LO1, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Development of a decision-making tool.	Week 8	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Care plan development	Week 12	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Development of a patient resource

Task Description:

You will create a patient resource explaining one complication of cancer or side effects of treatment.

Task Length:

1200 word equivalent

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Analyse the selected complication of cancer or side effects of its treatment to determine its underlying cause.	LO1
2	Propose management strategies to manage the selected complication of cancer or side effects of cancer treatment.	LO1
3	Facilitate patient understanding of oncology concepts to foster shared clinical decision-making.	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Development of a decision-making tool.

Task Description:

You will create an annotated visual, presenting a decision making tree focused on one side effect of cancer/cancer treatment or an oncological emergency.

Task Length:

1200 word equivalent

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Assess a patient to determine potential causes of the symptom.	LO1
2	Prioritise clinical goals to optimise quality of life.	LO2
3	Evaluate the holistic needs of a patient experiencing the side effect to inform decision making.	LO3
4	Critically reflect on the alignment of clinical priorities and needs of a patient experiencing a significant side effect.	LO1

Assessment Task 3: Care plan development

Task Description:

You will complete a comprehensive patient assessment utilising a combination of standardised and holistic assessment tools. Using the information gathered, you will develop a comprehensive care plan.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Analyse the primary issues identified during patient assessment to inform care plan development.	LO1, LO2
2	Evaluate goals of care related to patient needs identified during the assessment to inform clinical decision-making.	LO2, LO3
3	Propose interventions to support goals of care.	LO2
4	Critically reflect on how nurses can involve patients in clinical decision-making.	LO3
5	Demonstrate academic integrity and own voice to communicate oncology nursing knowledge to peers.	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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.