NURSPRAC 717 : Practicum for RN Designated Prescribers

Medical and Health Sciences

2020 Semester One (1203) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Prepares registered nurses to apply for prescribing rights as Designated Prescribers. Provides nurses with the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in the application of pharmacotherapeutic concepts to prescribing as a designated prescriber. This includes direct supervision of prescribing activities in the clinical area and the ability to work closely and effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Course Overview

This course aims to develop nurses’ capability to practice at an advanced level with strong knowledge and skills in the application of pharmacology and therapeutics to the treatment of common conditions as a designated prescriber. The practicum includes direct clinical supervision of clinical practice and prescribing activities by a prescribing mentor (Senior Doctor or NP). The registered nurses will utilise advanced skills in the management of common conditions including skilful deliberation of risk and benefit considerations for prescriptive and non-prescriptive approaches to patient management. This role requires the RN to work closely and effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: NURSING 742, 773, 785

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Master of Nursing

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Critically analyse clinical assessment findings in relation to underlying pathophysiological and psychological processes. Generate solutions to clinical problems based on appropriate clinical guidelines and evidence. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  2. Critically analyse pharmacotherapeutic information and demonstrate the ability to discuss the indications, contraindications and alternatives for common classes of drugs utilised in the treatment long term and common conditions (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  3. Demonstrate the ability to identify contraindications, effects and drug interactions associated with the use of prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines and devices (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.2 and 6.3)
  4. Critically evaluate the causes of microbial resistance and the importance of incorporating non-pharmacological strategies and knowledge of local resistance patterns into prescribing practices (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.2 and 6.3)
  5. Develop effective relationships and communication with other prescribers, patients and other members of the health care team (Capability 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  6. Demonstrate willingness to seek guidance or refer when patient concerns are outside the scope of an RN designated prescriber to maintain professional and regulatory boundaries for practice (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.2 and 6.3)
  7. Demonstrate the ability to recognise situations of drug misuse and drug seeking and take appropriate action. (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  8. Demonstrate the achievement of the Nursing Council Competencies for RN Delegated Prescribers in common and long-term conditions (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Test/quiz 25% Individual Test
Case Studies 50% Individual Coursework
Presentation 25% Individual Examination
Competency assessment Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Test/quiz
Case Studies
Presentation
Competency assessment

Learning Resources

Canvas is the learning management system which will be used to:
  •  Access the Course Outline and course information
  •  Access to required and additional readings
  •  Access to information to support and develop academic writing
  •  Discussion of topical issues or questions raised during the course
  •  General notices and course information.

Course Contacts

Jane Wilkinson-Course Co-Ordinator j.wilkinson@auckland.ac.nz
Matt Baker-Course Administrator matthew.baker@auckland.ac.nz
Sandra Oster, Nurse Practitioner, Course Director s.oster@auckland.ac.nz

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 30hours of lectures,  60 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 60 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.  An additional 150 hours for mentored clinical practice for RN designated prescribing.

Other Information

Eligibility for the RN designated prescribing practicum requires a signed commitment from your employer and an appropriate authorised prescribing mentor. To obtain the course admission documentation, please email Matthew.Baker@auckland.ac.nz 
Please refer to the Nursing Council of New Zealand website for further information for employers and clinical mentors for preparation for the practicum course and requirements for registration as an RN designated prescriber.

Digital 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.

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 against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

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 at 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.

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 feedback reflects the challenges of implementing the expanded responsibilities for RN prescribing within the workplace.  There is a need for a significant amount of self-directed study to assure safe prescribing practice.   

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 you may be asked to submit your 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. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 13/01/2020 10:20 a.m.