01. Assess patients with complex acute and chronic illness

Activities:

You should be able to: a. Use a range of data collection strategies and tools b. Describe specific situations and contexts which influence the choice of data collection tools and strategies. c. Prioritise a range of assessment strategies for assessing complex acute and chronic illnesses.

02. Analyse and interpret assessment data

Activities:

You should be able to: a. Interpret assessment data in terms of the underlying pathology b. Discriminate between relevant and irrelevant health assessment data c. Identify patient health problems based on assessment data d. Prioritise patient health problems.

03. Design a treatment plan for adults with complex acute and chronic illness in acute care settings

Activities:

You should be able to: a. Identify and critique relevant research literature on selected nursing interventions b. Identify and use relevant nursing clinical standards for nursing practices and interventions c. Plan goal directed and prioritised nursing interventions and state measurable and realistic outcomes d. Collaborate with the patient, family and health care team to plan care e. Analyse the bio-psychosocial impact that an acute hospital admission may have on a patient and their carer, and the consequent discharge planning strategies required.

04. Relate pharmacology knowledge to the areas of complex surgical and medical nursing care for patients with multiple health needs

Activities:

You should be able to: a. Identify potential health risks and complications for patients arising from the commonly prescribed medications for multiple health problems b. Discuss the major issues surrounding polypharmacy in the context of multiple health problems and competing therapies c. Safely administer medications prescribed for a patient with multiple health problems according to quality guidelines d. Monitor and evaluate the response a patient with multiple health problems has to prescribed medications e. Document according to guidelines and report adverse events.

05. Implement individualised care for adults with complex acute and chronic illness

Activities:

You should be able to: a. Identify significant changes in the patient's situation and take appropriate action b. Implement the care within a reasonable timeframe c. Modify the ongoing treatment plan according to individual needs.

06. Communicate effectively in the clinical setting

Activities:

You should be able to: d. Relate therapeutically with the patient, family and significant others e. Relate professionally with health team members f. Ensure confidentiality of patient information g. Establish and maintain accurate clear patient records within a legal and ethical framework h. Discuss the major issues involved in the discharge plan for each patient i. Provide feedback to the clinical supervisor and other health care workers regarding patient progress j. Describe available services and resources that provide support and health education to patients and their families in acute settings.

07. Further develop your nursing identity

Activities:

You should be able to: a. Incorporate legal and ethical principles of practice into planning and implementation of care b. Identify own clinical learning objectives c. Respond positively and appropriately to challenges arising in the conduct of nursing activities and clinical learning situations d. Accept responsibility and accountability for own clinical practice e. Demonstrate awareness of own values, attitudes and behaviours, and the effect on others f. Use feedback from peers and supervisor to appropriately improve clinical practice g. Practice within own qualifications and experience.