NURSING 743 : Nurse Practitioner Advanced Practicum

Medical and Health Sciences

2024 Semester One (1243) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Synthesises advanced clinical decision making within the Nurse Practitioner competency framework and prepares for autonomous clinical practice.

Course Overview

This course is the first of a two-course clinical practicum experience for students on the Nurse Practitioner educational pathway (Nursing 743 followed by Nursing 740). This year-long practicum experience (a minimum of 250 hours of direct clinical supervision in each course for a total of 500 over the year) provides the mentored clinical practice experience needed to refine essential advanced nursing practice skills. This includes the integration of previously learned skills and knowledge such as advanced assessment, bio-science, pharmacology and clinical speciality knowledge. Practical experience is crucial for the development of advanced nursing skills in health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, differential diagnoses and the development of treatment plan(s) that include pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. This experience enables the application of clinical knowledge along with the opportunity to critique their practice in an appropriate, supported clinical and academic framework. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: NURSING 785

Course Contacts

Course Administrator Matt Baker Matthew.baker@auckland.ac.nz 
Course Coordinator Angela Jackson, Nurse Practitioner a.jackson@auckland.ac.nz
Course Director Associate Professor Rachael Walker, Nurse Practitioner rachael.walker@auckland.ac.nz



Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Master of Nursing

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Articulate and discuss their area of Nurse Practitioner practice; providing evidence of their clinical expertise within the specific area of Nurse Practitioner practice that meets the Nurse Practitioner competencies as stated by Nursing Council of New Zealand. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3)
  2. Demonstrate achievement in Nurse Practitioner competencies that include the performance of systematic advanced health assessments (history taking, psychosocial assessment with cultural sensitivity), focused or comprehensive physical examination, differential diagnosis, treatment and care planning, implementation of care, evaluation of care and appropriate revision of care plan when needed. (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
  3. Articulate and demonstrate evidence-based clinical judgement which is presented logically and systematically to formulate differential diagnoses of common health problems within their area of clinical practice, demonstrating responsiveness to Maori and capacity to eliminate health inequities. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 4.1 and 4.2)
  4. Synthesise knowledge for advanced practice, including anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, bio-chemistry, and pharmacotherapeutics, with implementation into the client-specific therapeutic plan of care (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 6.1 and 6.2)
  5. Communicate, consult and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team as the patient/client requires, including safe prescribing of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments under supervision (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 6.1 and 7.1)
  6. Demonstrate the leadership skills required to manage complex clients. Demonstrate leadership in quality assurance practices, case/peer review etc (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3)
  7. Identify, critique and evaluate primary evidence to support clinical decision making (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1 and 4.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Quizzes 10% Individual Coursework
Case Study 15% Individual Coursework
Case Study 25% Individual Coursework
Presentation 25% Individual Examination
Clinical exam 25% Individual Examination
Clinical competency assessment Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Quizzes
Case Study
Case Study
Presentation
Clinical exam
Clinical competency assessment

As this practicum leads to registration for a scope of practice, the minimum pass mark is 65% average for all graded assessments. All course work learning activities must be passed. The Final Clinical Exam must be passed at a grade of 65% or higher to pass the course. 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 30 hours of lectures, 70 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 50 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.  In addition a minimum of 150 hours of clinically mentored practicum.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience or Online

This course is offered in two delivery modes:

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars/tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The course will include live online events including group discussions/tutorial.
Attendance on campus is required for the exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a block delivery.

Online

Attendance is required at scheduled online activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
The course will include live online events including group lectures and these will be recorded.
Attendance on campus is required for the exam.
Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement throughout the course.
This course runs to the University semester/quarter timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Stern, S. D., Cifu, A. S., & Altkorn, D. (2020). Symptom to diagnosis: an evidence-based guide. 4th Ed. Lange.
Talley, N. J. and S. O'Connor (2017). Clinical examination: a systematic guide to physical diagnosis. Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia: Elsevier.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

The study days encouraged engagement with other NP interns.  
The practicum year is very challenging, it is important to get the clinical mentorship expectations clear prior to the beginning of the course. 

Other Information

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) practicum year includes two courses, Nursing 743 and Nursing 740.
Entry requirements for Nursing 743 and Nursing 740 include:
a) Applicants must have completed a minimum of three years’ equivalent full-time practice within the last five years, with at least one of the three years in full-time practice in New Zealand and within the area of practice that the NP will register.
b) Have already completed the pre-requisite courses that include pathophysiology, pharmacology and advanced health assessment. The practicum courses should be the final courses in a Master of Nursing programme or may be completed following completion of a Master of Nursing programme.
c) Be a New Zealand citizen or hold a Permanent New Zealand residency.
d) Applicants must be a registered nurse with a current New Zealand practicing certificate and be in good standing with the Council.
e) Have indemnity insurance.
f) Have identified and have access to two areas of clinical practice in which to develop the advanced skills and knowledge required for nurse practitioner practice. One area should be relevant to her/his intended area of prescribing practice and the other area should broaden her/his clinical practice. One experience must be with a clinical mentor who is also a nurse practitioner.
g) Have demonstrated leadership and teaching capabilities required by the NP competencies. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 02/11/2023 08:55 a.m.