Introduction to High Acuity Nursing and Midwifery

Postgraduate | 2026

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area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
NURS 5067
Course ID icon
Course ID
207790
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
12
Course level icon
Course level
5
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
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

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.

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A