Surgical Nursing (4cr)

Objectives (course unit)

The student
- is able to plan, implement and evaluate pre- and post-operative nursing of surgical patients under supervision in multidisciplinary teams, by using evidence-based knowledge;
- is able to recognise the meaning of falling ill for human beings and their families
- is able to guide and support people and families in issues concerning health promotion, in different stages of illness and in self-care by using the principles of rehabilitative nursing;
- masters the principles and methods of infection control in surgical nursing;
- understands the meaning of patient safety in surgical nursing.

Content (course unit)

- surgical nursing

Prerequisites (course unit)

30 ects of initial stage studies completed

Location and time

VIrtual, Moodle-based learning environment. The course will commence in week 36/2017, and the estimated time for the course is 8-9 weeks.

Exam schedules

The evaluation is based on the online courses' assignments and tests, also the individual work and peer review is part of the evaluation. The final credit is based on the results of the assignments and tasks.
There will be a clinical calculation test also, that needs to be passed.

Assessment methods and criteria

The course will be evaluated Failed / Satisfactory 1 - Excellent 5.
Clinical calculation pass/failed.
The grade for the course will be given as an average of all compulsory tasks/tests.
To pass the course successfully, all the tasks and tests need to be achieved in given time.
In order to pass the tasks/tests, the answers cannot show or present such action, which would cause danger, harm, injury or death to the patient.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Virtual, Moodle-based online course. The orientation session is in a class room if so agreed. During the course there is a possibility to blended learning, combining virtual learning with class room learning. This information will be given in Tabula course, once the course is commenced in September 2017.
This course will include independent and group assignments, web-based tests and independent study.

Learning materials

Hinkle, J.L & Cheever, K.H : Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 13th Edition. Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. OR
Hinkle, J.L & Cheever, K.H : Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 12th Edition. Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Other additional material given during the course.
The course literature will be updated in Tabula at the beginning of the course, and will be added in the course details in September 2017.

Student workload

The course is 4 ECTS. 1 ECTS is 27 hours of student work. The total work is 108 hours of student's work.

Content scheduling

Specific objectives and contents of the course
The student:
- becomes familiar with the nature of surgical nursing process and the care path of surgical patient
- becomes aware/familiar with the most important functional disorders caused by different surgical diseases/injuries and the problems they may cause to adult patients health
- understands the possible influences of surgical conditions and procedures for patient's health, coping in daily living, and their influence to patient's family
- will be able to to establish a constructive nursing relationship with the patient, guide surgical patients and their families during the care process using evidenced based knowledge, and acquire skills to support patients in self care
- masters the essential clinical nursing methods and procedures in pre- and postoperative nursing care
- will be able to document and give information (written and oral) in order to secure the continuity of care
Specific contents of the course
- the nature of surgical nursing
- infection control and prevention with surgical patients
- pre-operative nursing care
- post-operative nursing care
- surgical wound care
- surgical patient's parenteral hydration/nutrition
- pain management with surgical patients
- special features in the care of the elderly surgical patients
- special features in the care of cancer patients and their family members
- guidance with surgical patients
* nursing care of the patient with a tracheostomy
* nursing care of the patient with a stoma
* nursing care of the patient with a cast
- Surgical patient's anxiety and fear

Completion alternatives

Only English online course.

International connections

The course is in English, and is offered also for international nursing students.

Further information

Tamk students must have completed 30 ECTS of the early-stage studies before commencing the course. Exchange students may participate if they are 2nd/3rd year students.

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student does not reach the criteria set for passed evaluation. The assignments and tests show such activities, which may cause danger, harm, injury or death to the patient.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student:
understands different stages of surgical patient's care path
understands the nursing process with surgical patients
knows the most common illnesses requiring surgical care and knows how they affect patient's health
can guide surgical patient and his/her relatives during the care process
knows the most common care methods in patient's pre- and postoperative care
knows the meaning of documentation and spoken reporting in patient's care

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student:
knows different stages of surgical patient's care path
understands the nursing process with surgical patients
knows the most essential and common illnesses requiring surgical care and knows how they effect patient's health, coping in daily living and the influence on patient's relatives.
can guide with reasoning surgical patient and his/her relatives during the care process
masters the most common care methods in patient's pre- and postoperative care
understands the meaning of documentation and spoken reporting in patient's care

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student:
knows different stages of surgical patient's care path in different area's of health care system
understands the nursing process with surgical patients
knows the most essential and common illnesses requiring surgical care and understands how they effect patient's health, coping in daily living and the influence on patient's relatives
can guide with reasoning, using patient-centred method, surgical patient and his/her relatives during the care process, using evidence-based knowledge and information
masters the most essential and common care methods in patient's pre- and postoperative care, and understands the cause and effect -relations in care
understands the meaning of documentation and spoken reporting in patient's care