Unit Outline

In this unit, you will explore the science of neonatology and examine the theoretical basis of pathophysiology, therapeutic intervention and evidence-informed practice essential to delivering care for complex and critically ill neonates and growing preterm neonates. You will examine aspects of prematurity, or problematic adaptation to extrauterine life, and the consequential pathophysiological processes which may arise. Acute and chronic variations of health, as well as the diverse needs of premature and term newborns and neonates, are analysed

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	Apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology to deliver evidence-informed, holistic care for complex and critically ill and preterm neonates.
2	Rationalise management of complex and critically unwell neonates based on interpretation of clinical investigations and evidence-informed literature.
3	Use evidenced-informed literature to analyse and evaluate the clinical management of the complex and critically unwell neonates.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Amendments were made to:
1. unit content to meet the needs of knowledge for delivering current neonatal care,

2. assessment tasks - description, criteria, length, weighting and due weeks all updated to better align with students’ needs and ability to demonstrate knowledge and achievement of Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs),
3. reading lists to align with current evidence for delivering current neonatal care.

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:	Case Study	Week 5	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Case Study	Week 9	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Practice Evaluation	Week 13	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Case Study

Task Description:

For this assessment activity you are asked to analyse and interpret a neonatal case scenario which incorporates theory related to respiratory and cardiovascular conditions including acid-base balance and thermoregulation.

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Analyse pathophysiological processes and alterations to anatomy and physiology of systems in preterm or critically unwell neonates.	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Critically analyse and process information related to clinical investigations.	LO2, LO3
3	Identify and rationalise clinical priorities related to the presenting neonate’s health condition, supported with evidence.	LO2, LO3
4	Establish the goals of care and prioritise nursing management supported with evidence.	LO2, LO3
5	Communicate in a professional academic style using discipline-specific language while adhering to the current APA Style.	LO1, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Case Study

Task Description:

For this assessment activity you are asked to analyse and interpret a neonatal case scenario which incorporates theory related to glucose homeostasis, endocrine, nephrology, fluid homeostasis, gastrointestinal and haematological conditions.

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply knowledge of the alterations to anatomy and physiology of the systems of preterm or critically unwell neonates to explain pathophysiological processes.	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Critically analyse and process information related to clinical investigations.	LO2, LO3
3	Identify and rationalise clinical priorities related to the presenting neonate’s health condition, supported with evidence.	LO2, LO3
4	Establish the goals of care and prioritise nursing management supported with evidence.	LO2, LO3
5	Communicate in a professional academic style using discipline specific language while adhering to the current APA Style.	LO1, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Practice Evaluation

Task Description:

For this assessment activity, you will be required to explore current evidence to evaluate current practices related to neonatal neurological conditions, pain, stress, infection, skin or retinopathy of prematurity.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Communicate the nature of the topic to be investigated and explain the basis and reasoning for choosing this topic.	LO1, LO3
2	Relate and integrate relevant anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology knowledge from the literature to provide critical analysis and synthesis of the evidence to build an informed opinion of the practice you have evaluated.	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Summarise the findings and provide recommendations for nursing practice.	LO1, LO3
4	Communicate in a professional academic style using discipline specific language while adhering to the current APA Style.	LO1, 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.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

Kain, V., & Mannix, T. (2022). Neonatal care for nurses and midwives: Principles for practice (2nd ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences

The resources below are available via the Reading List link in MyLO, or the unit Reading List on the University Library website.

Gardner, S., Carter, B., Enzman-Hines, M., & Niermeyer, S. (Eds.). (2020). Merenstein and Gardner’s handbook for neonatal intensive care nursing: An interprofessional approach (9th ed.). Elsevier.

Kenner, C., Altimier, L., D. & Boykova, M. V. (Eds.). (2020). Comprehensive neonatal nursing care. (6th ed.). Springer Publishing Company.

Verklan, M. T., Walden, M., & Forest, S. (Eds.). (2020). Core curriculum for neonatal intensive care nursing (6th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.