This unit of study is designed to deepen the clinical knowledge related to the care of the older person with a strong focus on promoting quality of life, choice and maintaining dignity. This is the last core unit in the course, so it builds on the existing knowledge to explore, consolidate, and apply clinical knowledge of acute and chronic conditions that affect older people within a variety of healthcare settings.
The Aged Care Act 2024, along with its strengthened Quality Standards, places a strong emphasis on the clinical care of older people, ensuring it is safe, high-quality, and person-centred. The unit further aims to support the nurses to develop their role and advance their clinical skills, both as autonomous clinicians and members of the multidisciplinary team within the healthcare environment.
Whether you work in residential aged care homes, community settings or in the acute sector, this unit will equip you with the clinical skills, critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills needed to provide high-quality, person-centred care for older Australians.
| Clinical Issues in the Care of the Older Person | |
| Unit of study code | 055 |
| Availability | Graduate Certificate in Aged Care Nursing |
| Term | APRIL, OCTOBER |
| Pre-requisite | 054 – Assessment of the Older Person |
| EFTSL | 0.125 FTE |
| Credit points | 6 |
| Mode of study | Online |
| Hours of study | 150 |
| Fee* | Tier A |
| Prescribed texts | N/A |
| Co-ordinated by | Elizabeth Moran e: elizabeth.moran@acn.edu.au |
| Content | Intended learning outcomes for this subject/program
After completing this subject, the learner will be able to:- |
Assessment Tasks | ||
| Type of assessment
Note the completed assessment item (e.g. Assessment 1: Online discussion) |
Weighting
(% of total marks) |
When assessed – academic week
(e.g. Week 8) |
||
| Theme 1: Quality of life | a) examine the concept of dignity of risk and the diverse needs of older people to ensure a comprehensive approach to healthcare | Assessment 1: Online discussions | 10% | 2, 7 |
| Theme 2: Common clinical presentations – 1 | b) analyse the nursing management strategies associated with both common and complex issues in the older person | Assessment 2: Analysis of care | 40% | 6 |
| Theme 3: Common clinical presentations – 2 | c) evaluate the needs of the older person to provide holistic, person-centred nursing care based on current evidence | Assessment 3: Fishbone diagram | 10% | 9 |
| Theme 4: Common clinical presentations – 3 | d) explore the legal and ethical issues associated with multifactorial health needs of the older person in the aged care environment | Assessment 4: Policy critique | 40% | 10 |
| Theme 5: Common clinical presentations – 4 | e) reflect on the nurse’s role in promoting cultural safety, equity and inclusion in aged care | |||
Clinical Issues in the Care of the Older Person (055) is a Tier A unit.
| Tier structure | Member price (10% discount) | Non-member price |
|---|---|---|
| Tier A - Standard Unit | $2,880 | $3,200 |
| Tier B - Clinical Placement Unit | $4,680 | $5,200 |
*Fees are subject to change without notice.
