SYKKPRA21MB Nursing Patients with Acute, Critical and Chronic Diseases 1 Course description

This course teaches students about patients and next-of-kin in an acute, critical and chronic context, and what the nurse’s areas of responsibility entail. Students will learn to communicate with patients and next-of-kin in situations of stress and crisis. Systematic mapping and assessment, nursing of somatic diseases, pre and postoperative nursing and competent drug administration are also part of the course. You will complete 8 weeks of practical training in this course.

The course will teach students about the history, underlying philosophy, evidence-based practice, cultural understanding and professional ethics of the nursing profession, as well as knowledge about the state and municipalities, and health and social policy. This forms the basis for nurses’ duties in the municipal and specialist health services.

To start this course, you must have passed:

• SYKP/SYKP1010 Foundations of Nursing 1, 15 credits.
• SYKK/SYKP1110 Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, 15 credits.
• SYKK/SYKPPRA10 Foundations of Nursing 2, 15 credits.

or equivalent.*

* For year group 2023 at OsloMet, the equivalent is:

• Approved work requirements from SYKK/SYKP1300 Pharmacology and Drug Administration, 5 credits.

Passed course:

• SYKP/SYKP1000 Theoretical Foundations of Nursing/Foundations of Nursing 1, 13 credits.
• SYKK/SYKP1100 Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, 12 credits.
• SYKK/SYKP1200 Microbiology and Infection Control, 5 credits.
• SYKK/SYKPPRA10 Fundamentals of Nursing/Foundations of Nursing 2, 15 credits.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can describe the patients’ subjective experiences of disease and suffering and the importance of hope amidst serious illness
• can describe an account of nursing care for medical or surgical treatment
• is familiar with various documentation systems in nursing
• can describe the phenomena pain, treatment of pain and pain relief
• can describe measures to preserve life and health in the event of major accidents and in crisis and disaster situations

Skills

The student

• can systematically map and assess the patient's resources, problems and needs as well as implement measures, and evaluate and document effects (the nursing process)
• can describe for and perform person-centered nursing related to the current patient situation
• can use current clinical mapping and communication tools and be able to justify measures in the practice of nursing
• can document in clinical documentation systems using standardised terminology
• can carry out and assessing relevant nursing procedures
• can apply relevant medical technology in the practical performance of nursing
• can recognise stress and crisis situations in the event of loss and disease and adapting communication based on this
• can communicate with patients and next-of-kin adapted to the level of development/cognitive function and the condition
• can masters HRL and general first aid according to the ABCDE principle
• can implement measures in the event of sub-acute and acute incidents
• can identify ethical dilemmas in practice and reflect on different choices of action

General competence

The student

• can integrate knowledge from pathophysiology and pharmacology in the performance of nursing
• can reflect on responsible drug administration at an individual and systematic level
• can demonstrate responsibility, engagement, independence and can follow professional ethical guidelines when encountering patients, next-of-kin and colleagues
• can reflect on his/her own professional practice and progression
• can reflect on how culture and a cultural understanding can be significant in assessments, planning, performance and evaluation of nursing

The student submits a thesis that investigates a research question using one or several relevant research methodologies.

Practical training has requirements for attendance 90 %. The student fills in a self-presentation for the start of the practice and self-assessment for the mid- and final assessment. Other compulsory activities included in the assessment of practice are:

• Courses in first aid.
• Courses in blood test.
• SF-unit.
• Individual assignment, scope of 1,500 words (+/- 10 %).

Assessment in practical training.

The assessment takes its point of departure in given criteria based on learning outcomes for the course, criteria for failing the practical training, criteria for suitability assessment and compulsory activities carried throughout the practical training. Students’ practical training can only be assessed if their attendance is sufficiently high (90%). For more information, see the general part of the programme description about the assessment of practical training.

If the student has failed the practical training, the whole practical training course must be retaken. This includes associated requirements.

A student who has completed his or her qualification has the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has advanced knowledge of

• research designs relevant to the investigation of a particular research question
• a particular area of social or health policy of relevance to their degree
• relevant research literature on the subject matter of the master-s thesis
• theories and methodological approaches relevant for the chosen subject matter
• basic conceptual tools needed to understand an critically examine relevant social research

Skills

The student can

• conduct a review of the state of scientific knowledge related to a research question in social policy
• conduct a limited, independent research project under supervision
• choose a methodology that is relevant for a specific welfare research question
• apply research methods in a reflective manner
• critically evaluate relevant quantitative or qualitative methods used in reports, books or articles investigating a particular welfare policy problem

General Competence

The student can

• read and critically assess academic literature
• present specialised knowledge and research findings in the form of academic writing
• apply advanced skills and knowledge in the field of social welfare policy
• evaluate issues related to the academic, professional and research ethics

At the end of the second semester, a two page project description must be submitted and approved before the student gets a supervisor. A master's thesis preparation seminar will help the student to produce the two page project description.

A supervisor will be appointed by the programme director. Supervision is a crucial component in the preparation of the thesis. The supervisor is to assist the student when he or she is acquiring the necessary and relevant knowledge, as well as, when collecting and analysing data. The supervisor must ensure that the student-s research activity comply with accepted ethical standards within social research, including standards defined by the Norwegian Data Protection Official and the National Committees for Research Ethics in the Social Sciences and the Humanities

Every student is entitled to approximately 10 hours of face-to-face consultation, individually or in groups, or the equivalent if part of the supervision is conducted via email. Two students co-writing will together receive 15 hours of face-to-face consulation.

An agreement between the student and the supervisor must be signed by both parties to ensure that rights and obligations are understood. The student and the supervisor may request a substitute if either party fails to meet the obligations outlined in the agreement.

The research work (analysis of qualitative and/or quantitative data or a literature review) is conducted during the fourth semester. Students are encouraged to carry out their data collection abroad.

Contact lecturer approves the exam after recommendation from practical training supervisor. The final decision on whether to award a pass or fail grade is made by the university.

Admission to the programme.