Introduction to High Acuity Nursing and Midwifery

Postgraduate | 2026

Course page banner
Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your study will be 100% online
100% online
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
NURS 5067
Course ID icon
Course ID
207790
Campus icon
Campus
Online
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
12
Course owner
Course owner
Sch of Nursing and Midwifery
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Terry Friebe
Course level icon
Course level
5
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

This course will provide Registered Nurses and Midwives with the introductory knowledge and skills to recognise and respond to patients/women with the potential for clinical deterioration. The course incorporates evidence based care and offers the following sub-streams: intensive care; cardiac care; emergency; neonatal care; and high dependency. Across each of the specialty areas the content is similar; however, the tutorials (virtual classrooms), discussion forums, case studies, and clinical management will vary in relation to relevant clinical. Weekly topics will include respiratory, cardiac, neurological and renal considerations; a comprehensive patient/woman assessment; discussion of the underlying pathophysiology; recognition and management of clinical deterioration; management of a patient/woman with advanced care needs requiring high acuity support; clinical decision making; and legal and ethical aspects of nursing and midwifery care (NB: neonatal sub-stream provides a modified course format reflective of the needs of the neonate and the woman).

Course learning outcomes

  • Evaluate the physical, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual impact of critical illness on the patient/person and their family.
  • Demonstrate integrated comprehensive assessment and clinical decision making in nursing and midwifery management of patients/persons with high acuity needs
  • Apply specialist knowledge in recognising and responding to clinical deterioration of a high acuity and/or critically ill patient/person.
  • Implement competent advanced life support for a high acuity and/or critically ill patient/person.
  • Integrate best available evidence in the management of high acuity and/or critically ill patients/persons.
  • Synthesise knowledge of ethical practice in the nursing and midwifery management of high acuity and/or critically ill patients/persons.
  • Critically analyse the use of technology in the management of high acuity and/or critically ill patients/persons.

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Online

Class number
Class number 20179
Section
Section 01OL
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Online ,
Notes:
Acute Nursing Class
Class number
Class number 29461
Section
Section 02OL
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Online ,
Notes:
Acute Midwifery Class

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Online

Class number
Class number 50159
Section
Section 01OL
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 29
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Online ,
Notes:
Acute Nursing
Class number
Class number 59475
Section
Section 02OL
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Online ,
Notes:
Neonatal

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed NURS5172 Introduction to High Acuity Nursing and Midwifery at the University of South Australia

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.