Undergraduate - UnitNUR1003 - Nursing, society and culture

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Offered	Not offered in 2012
Coordinator(s)	Dr Pamela Wood (Gippsland), Dr Joy Lyneham (Peninsula)

Synopsis

This unit introduces the student to the concept of culture from a sociological perspective. Social determinants of health, supported by epidemiological evidence, will be explored taking into account the influence of gender, family, and ethnicity on health outcomes. The concept of values and ethical principles within healthcare communities will be introduced. Using critical thinking processes students will evaluate the influence that the 'socialisation of nursing' phenomena has on the defining characteristics of the Australian nursing workforce culture. The forces of globalisation on healthcare in the future and the nursing profession will be discussed.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit, it is expected that the student will be able to:

1. discuss the demographics of the Australian population from an epidemiological perspective;
2. appreciate the influence aging, gender and ethnicity exert on social determinants of health;
3. demonstrate the ability to appraise social and ethical wellbeing within the context of equity and cultural safety;
4. describe the role of the nurse as a member of the multidisciplinary team in the health service industry;
5. discuss the influence that globalization will effect on nursing workforce culture;
6. describe the concepts of wellness and illness as they are applied to the community, individuals and the Australian health care system;
7. discuss the role of community, culture and religion in influencing health care practice; and
8. conceptualize values as the foundation of health ethics

Discuss the judgment and application of ethical principles to ethical issues in health care.

Assessment

Written Assignment (2500 words): 40%
Three (3) online, short answer, quizzes: 60% (20% per quiz)

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Joy Lyneham

Contact hours

Workload requirement: This unit will be offered as on campus flexible delivery mode consisting of three (3) hours lectures per week supported with one (1) hour of online guided learning activities per week for 12 weeks.