Unit Outline
CNA520
Cardiovascular Nursing 3
Semester 2, 2025
Jacqueline Colgan
School of Nursing
College of Health and Medicine
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B
Unit Coordinator
Jacqueline Colgan
Email: Jacqueline.Colgan@utas.edu.au
 
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
This unit focuses on understanding the theoretical principles of caring for the person experiencing acute or chronic cardiac, cardiovascular or thoracic conditions. Students will apply their understanding of the pathophysiological nature of disease states, including clinical diagnostics, with a particular emphasis on contemporary interventional modalities for the management of acute coronary syndrome and cardiac failure. Case based learning will guide knowledge development in relation to cardiovascular and thoracic conditions.
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 theories related to caring for patients with acute or chronic cardiac or cardiothoracic conditions.
2
Provide evidence of the ability to critically analyse and respond to common investigations for example, cardiac catheterisations, electrocardiography, echocardiography or laboratory results using evidence-based research.
3
Critically analyse the evidence-based recommendations that support nursing care of people with cardiovascular and cardiothoracic conditions.
Alterations as a result of student feedback
Unit content has been updated and assessment resources amended for semester 2 delivery.
 
 
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:
Discussion Post and Essay
Week 6
35 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:
Portfolio
Week 10
25 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:
Essay
Week 13
40 %
LO1, LO3
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Discussion Post and Essay
Task Description:
This activity is broken into two parts.
1) Part A requires you to select a theme area and enter into discussion within a group.
2) Activity part B Submit a Summary paper.

Due Dates: Part A: Opens Week 4 and closes Week 6
Part B: Week 7
Task Length:
1400 words equivalent.
Due Date:
Week 6
Weight:
35 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Clarifies the topic and outlines the relevance
LO1, LO3
2
Collates the literature into a clear timeline of research/evidence-based outcomes
LO1, LO2, LO3
3
Critically analyses the evidence incorporating contemporary research/evidence-based papers
LO1, LO2, LO3
4
Summarises the key elements and how they link to the physiology justifying claims
LO1, LO2, LO3
5
Communicates clearly and succinctly using the current APA Style where appropriate.
LO1, LO3
 
Assessment Task 2: Portfolio
Task Description:
You are required to actively participate in the content-based learning activities throughout this unit and develop a portfolio that demonstrates self-reflection and the ability to take and evidence-informed approach in critically analysing and responding to common cardiovascular investigations.
Task Length:
1000 words equivalent
Due Date:
Week 10
Weight:
25 %
 
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Actively participate in unit online learning opportunities.
LO1, LO2, LO3
2
Analyse common cardiovascular investigations using evidence-informed practice.
LO2, LO3
3
Reflect on newly acquired cardiovascular nursing knowledge and how it has impacted your practice.
LO1, LO2, LO3
4
Communicate clearly and succinctly using the current APA Style.
LO2, LO3
 
Assessment Task 3: Essay
Task Description:
This assessment requires you to write an essay exploring one of two topics which relate to cardiovascular or thoracic conditions.
Topics are provided in the MyLO site.
Task Length:
1600 words
Due Date:
Week 13
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the essay themes.
LO1, LO3
2
Develop a scholarly essay which discusses, explains, analyses, interprets or evaluates the themes in an organised and coherent manner.
LO1, LO3
3
Present a logical conclusion of the salient points of the essay themes and the significance for nursing practice/theory.
LO1, LO3
4
Integrate research from quality academic sources in a scholarly essay.
LO1, LO3
5
Communicate clearly and succinctly using the current APA Style where appropriate.
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.
 
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
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.
 
Recommended reading materials
Jennings, C., Astin, F., Fitzsimons, D., Lambrinou, E., Neubeck, L., & Thompson, D. R. (Eds.). (2022). ESC textbook of cardiovascular nursing (Online ed.). Oxford University Press.
Perpetua, E.M., & Keegan, P.A. (2021). Cardiac nursing (7th Ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Olson, K. (Ed.). (2021). Oxford handbook of cardiac nursing (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
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