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Complex Care unit (NUR353)

Location: Cradle Coast, Hobart, Launceston, Sydney

Introduction

The focus of Complex Care is on recognition of acute deterioration, urgency of care, patient management and pharmacology for patients with complex and acute diagnoses. Complex Care synthesises your knowledge of disease states to acute deterioration and examines the implications of deterioration to body systems and patient outcomes across the lifespan. You will apply clinical reasoning skills and are required to recognise, interpret, analyse and record data relevant to the acutely deteriorating patient, in accordance with the NSQHS Standards and evidence-informed practice. 

Summary

Unit name Complex Care
Unit code NUR353
Credit points 12.5
College/School Health
School of Nursing
Discipline Nursing
Coordinator Mrs Catherine Teare
Available as an elective? No
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Advanced

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Cradle Coast Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Cradle Coast Block 4 - Other This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Hobart Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Hobart Block 4 - Other This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Launceston Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Launceston Block 4 - Other This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Sydney Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Sydney Block 4 - Other This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Block 4 - Other 16/08/2027 21/09/2027 30/09/2027 24/10/2027
Semester 1 22/02/2027 16/03/2027 19/04/2027 13/06/2027

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply the framework of clinical reasoning and person-centred care in the recognition of urgency of care.
  • Determine the indication and quality of use of medications in the context of acute patient states.
  • Apply knowledge of the relationship between pathophysiology of disease and indication for specific interventions.
  • Evaluate the role of the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice and the NSQHS Standards in the context of caring for acute and complex patients.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
060301 $613.00 $613.00 not applicable
  • Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
  • HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

NUR239 Nursing Practice 2 and (CXA144 Pathophysiology for Health Care or CXA240 Pathophysiology for Health Care 1)

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

Semester: 3 hour practical, 6 times per semester. 35 minute Test - OSCA. 

Block 4 - Other: 3 hour practical, 6 times per semester. 35 minute Test - OSCA

AssessmentQuiz Series (20%)|Nursing Care Plan (40%)|Objective Structured Clinical Assessment (OSCA) (40%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Amerman, EC. (2019). Human Anatomy & Physiology (2nd Global Edition), Pearson Education.

Recommended

Tiziani, A. (ed). (2022).  Harvard's Nursing Guide to Drugs (11th ed). Elsevier. 

LeMone, P., Bauldoff, G., Gubrud-Howe, P., Carno, M.-A., Levett-Jones, T., Dwyer, T., Moxham, L., Reid-Searl, K., Berry, K., & Carville, K. (2023). LeMone and Burke’s Medical-Surgical Nursing. (5th ed.). Pearson Education Australia.

Bullock, S., & Manias, E. (2022). Fundamentals of Pharmacology (9th ed). Pearson.

Recommended Readings will be provided via the unit Reading List on the University Library website.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.