Program Overview

Unit of Study NRS00612 - Intraoperative Assisting and Nursing Care

Unit Snapshot

• Unit type: PG Coursework Unit
• Credit points: 12
• AQF level: 9
• Level of learning: Advanced
• Former School/College: Former School of Health and Human Sciences
• Pre-requisites: NRS00611 - Preoperative Assessment and Planning
• Enrolment information: N/A

Unit Description

Explores the intraoperative assisting phase and enables students to expand their knowledge and skills in the areas of positioning, skin preparation, draping, retraction, provision of haemostasis, tissue handling, provision of specific instruments, equipment and supplies, suturing and wound closure with the added support of a surgeon mentor in a work setting. Students are also given the opportunity to apply these principles to a selected area of surgical specialty.

Unit Content

• Introduction of the PNSA role in the intraoperative phase
• Review of the principles of anaesthesia and the role of the PNSA in the phase
• Review of the requirements for proficiency in first assisting
• The role of the PNSA in positioning the patient
• The role of the PNSA in skin preparation and draping
• Review of surgical skills related to the role of the first assistant
• Recognition of surgical complications and hazards and their management
• Conclusion

Availabilities

Learning Outcomes and Graduate Attributes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

On Completion of This Unit, Students Should Be Able To:

1. Analyse the PNSA role and procedures in the intraoperative assisting phase
   • GA1: Intellectual rigour
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
   • GA5: Lifelong learning
2. Develop advanced skills and knowledge in intraoperative nursing and assisting activities
   • GA1: Intellectual rigour
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
   • GA5: Lifelong learning
3. Apply general principles of intraoperative assisting to a selected area of surgical specialty
   • GA1: Intellectual rigour
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
   • GA5: Lifelong learning
4. Critically reflect upon newly acquired skills and knowledge and how these may be further advanced in clinical practice.
   • GA1: Intellectual rigour
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
   • GA5: Lifelong learning

Prescribed Learning Resources

Session 1

• Prescribed Texts: No prescribed texts.
• Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

Graduate Attributes

• GA1: Intellectual rigour - A commitment to excellence in all scholarly and intellectual activities, including critical judgement.
• GA2: Creativity - An ability to develop creative and effective responses to intellectual, professional and social challenges.
• GA3: Ethical practice - A commitment to sustainability and high ethical standards in social and professional practices.
• GA4: Knowledge of a discipline - Command of a discipline to enable a smooth transition and contribution to professional and community settings.
• GA5: Lifelong learning - The ability to be responsive to change, to be inquiring and reflective in practice, through information literacy and autonomous, self-managed learning.
• GA6: Communication and social skills - The ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals, and within teams, in professional and community settings.
• GA7: Cultural competence - An ability to engage with diverse cultural and Indigenous perspectives in both global and local settings.