Program Overview

Course Overview

The Essentials of Professional Communication course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and principles of interpersonal communication, guiding them to develop verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills in various healthcare contexts.

Course Description

Effective professional communication is an essential requirement for today's registered nurse caring for the Australian population. This course explores therapeutic and person-centred communication, including those with special needs and/or in challenging situations, promoting quality care and patient safety. The course prepares students to communicate with patients, healthcare professionals, academics, and peers, providing opportunities to practice communication skills through case studies informed by the National Health Priority Areas.

Course Content

The course is divided into three modules:

• Module 1: Communication process
• Module 2: Therapeutic communication
• Module 3: Intraprofessional and Interprofessional communication

Enrolment Rules

This course is available to students in the following program:

• 40298: 240 units, Bachelor of Nursing This course is not available to students who have completed the following course:
• NURS1201: 20 units, Foundations of Professional Practice 1B

Enrolment Requirements

Assumed Knowledge

Students must be active in the Bachelor of Nursing program.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate effective communication skills in oral, digital, and written communication, including fundamental academic literacy skills.
2. Explain how therapeutic communication contributes to the development of safe person-centred nurse-patient relationships.
3. Identify appropriate communication strategies for people from different cultures, people with special needs, and challenging communication situations.
4. Apply effective intraprofessional and interprofessional communication strategies in simulated healthcare scenarios.

Availability

The course is available in:

• Semester 1: MIX-CAL-SEM1 (Callaghan, Blended Learning) and MIX-GOSF-SEM1 (Gosford, Blended Learning)
• Trimester 2: MIX-CAL-TRI2 (Callaghan, Blended Learning) and MIX-GOSF-TRI2 (Gosford, Blended Learning)

Contact Hours

The course consists of:

• Lecture: 1 hour per week, 12 weeks, online
• Self-Directed Learning: 6 hours per week, 12 weeks, self-directed
• Tutorial: 2 hours per week, 12 weeks, face-to-face on campus

Assessments

The course includes the following assessments:

• Quiz: 20%, summative, individual
• Written Assessment: 30%, summative, individual
• Viva Voce: 50%, summative, individual

Course Details

• Study level: Undergraduate
• Course level: 1000-level
• Units: 10
• College: College of Health, Medicine, and Wellbeing
• School: School of Nursing and Midwifery