Our facilities include fully equipped nursing laboratories that simulate the type of physical environment that students will experience as they move beyond the campus for clinical placements and patient care. An interactive virtual health environment provides an additional learning aid that students can use at home.

Nursing skills

The scenarios developed reflect the student’s year level and curriculum topics. First year students are introduced to basic care scenarios such as providing hygiene, toileting, patient handling, colostomy care, bedmaking, medication administration, basic CPR, aseptic technique, suture removal, patient assessment, Pressure Area Care, urinalysis, taking vital signs, documentation and standard precautions.

The scenarios become increasingly complex as the students progress to years two and three to include clinical skills associated with intramuscular injections, drug reconstitution, intravenous therapy, syringe drivers and infusion pumps. Students learn which infusion line goes with each pump, and the correct procedure for the administration of an intravenous medication.

They become proficient in Patient Controlled Analgesia, complex aseptic technique, mental health assessment, tracheostomy care, suctioning of lung secretions, insertion of naso-gastric tube, cardiac care, arrhythmia interpretation, chest drain management, IDC insertion, nasogastric tube insertion and management, PEG tubes, Central Venous Catheters, epidurals, blood glucose monitoring, urinary catheterisation (male and female), identification of breast lumps, palpation of uterus, care of central line, insertion of airways and advanced CPR. Students also carry out blood transfusions using red food dye.

Actors are commonly used for mental health practicals in which the actors simulate the symptoms of various mental illnesses for student assessment. Students also have the chance to train in pre-operative discussion about deep breathing and leg exercises with scripted students and volunteers.

Australian Catholic University’s (ACU) Bachelor of Nursing aims to prepare students as professional nurses who can work in a variety of health-care organisations and community settings. The course includes studies related to:

caring
safety and advocacy in practice
clinical skill development
safety and advocacy in practice
clinical skill development
and focuses on the National Health Priorities.

Course Description and How to Apply

For more information, please contact one of our offices

Last Updated: 29 September 2012

PDF