Program Overview

Unit of Study NRS00610 - The Role of the Perioperative Nurse - Surgeon's Assistant

Unit Snapshot

• Unit type: PG Coursework Unit
• Credit points: 12
• AQF level: 9
• Level of learning: Introductory
• Former School/College: Former School of Health and Human Sciences
• Enrolment information: Must have either (a) Perioperative Nursing Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate of Perioperative Nursing plus 3 years experience as a Perioperative nurse, OR (b) 5 years experience as a Perioperative Nurse.

Unit Description

Introduces the experienced perioperative nurse to the advanced role of the Perioperative Nurse as Surgeon's Assistant (PN-SA) and the scope of practice. Students will also review their skills and understanding of core principles underpinning standards of practice in asepsis, occupational health and safety, medico-legal and epidemiological issues related to perioperative nursing.

Unit Content

• Introduction to the role of the PNSA in advanced perioperative care
• Scope of practice
• Anatomy and physiology review
• Medico-legal issues
• Occupational health and safety issues
• Communications relevant to team members
• Principles of tissue handling
• Principles of asepsis, infection control and epidemiology

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 critically reflect upon their own existing perioperative nursing practice in the light of new issues and opportunities presented by the role
   • GA1: Intellectual rigour
   • GA3: Ethical practice
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
2. Revise and demonstrate core skills and knowledge of anatomy and physiology, asepsis, and infection control relative to the PNSA
   • GA1: Intellectual rigour
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
3. Analyse and explain key medico-legal and occupational health and safety issues as they impact upon the PNSA role in perioperative settings.
   • GA1: Intellectual rigour
   • GA3: Ethical practice
   • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

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.