1. Home
  2. Communication Skills for Nurses and Midwives [NUM1102]

School: Nursing and Midwifery

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for Semester 1 2020 Units. Students will be notified of all approved modifications by Unit Coordinators via email and Unit Blackboard sites. Where changes have been made, these are designed to ensure that you still meet the unit learning outcomes in the context of our adjusted teaching and learning arrangements.

  • Unit Title

    Communication Skills for Nurses and Midwives

  • Unit Code

    NUM1102

  • Year

    2020

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Deborah SUNDIN

Description

This unit introduces students to interpersonal and professional modes of communication and conduct that support effective and efficient functioning of patients/clients, colleagues and institutions. Oral, electronic and written communication skills, including effective listening, therapeutic relationships and the importance of being culturally aware when undertaking care, are a feature of this unit. Students will simulate patient/client interviews to develop their skills in questioning and interviewing techniques, and patient/client teaching. Academic literacy will be introduced as a foundation to successful professional discourse. The relationship between communication and professional conduct as a service provider and contributor to the health care community are central constructs in this unit.

Prerequisite Rule

Only students studying courses C33, Y61, or Y76 can enrol in this unit.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded NCS1102

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the importance and application of cultural awareness when undertaking care.
  2. Demonstrate effective, questioning, active listening verbal and non-verbal communication within a patient/client interaction.
  3. Demonstrate effective written communication appropriate to professional standards.
  4. Explain the importance of a therapeutic relationship when undertaking care.
  5. Identify the principles related to patient/client education.

Unit Content

  1. Verbal and non-verbal communication.
  2. Interviewing skills, active listening, questioning and feedback.
  3. Development of therapeutic relationship.
  4. Culturally competent nursing practice.
  5. Effective and sensitive communication with vulnerable populations.
  6. The principles of patient/client education.
  7. Critically reflective practice.
  8. Inter-professional communication.
  9. The use of social media and information technology in professional communication.
  10. Management of patient/client complaints.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 116 x 2 hour lectureNot Offered13 x 2 hour lecture
Semester 110 x 2 hour tutorialNot Offered13 x 2 hour tutorial
Semester 1Not OfferedNot Offered12 x 1 hour workshop
Semester 215 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 2 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Interactive learning activities (18 hours), tutorials (18 hours), online materials.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentPatient/client interview with reflective essay40%
EssayPatient/client education essay20%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentPatient/client interview with reflective essay40%
EssayPatient/client education essay20%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%

Core Reading(s)

  • Birks, M., Chapman, Y. S., & Davis, J. (2015). Professional and Therapeutic Communication. Oxford. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ecu/detail.action?docID=5402099
  • Birks, M., Davis, J., & Chapman, Y. B. (2020). Professional and Therapeutic Communication eBook (2nd ed., pp. 1–437). Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.ecu.edu.au/login?url=https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ecu/detail.action?docID=6154049

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

NUM1102|1|1

School: Nursing and Midwifery

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for this unit. All assessment changes will be published by 27 July 2020. All students are reminded to check handbook at the beginning of semester to ensure they have the correct outline.

  • Unit Title

    Communication Skills for Nurses and Midwives

  • Unit Code

    NUM1102

  • Year

    2020

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Deborah SUNDIN

Description

This unit introduces students to interpersonal and professional modes of communication and conduct that support effective and efficient functioning of patients/clients, colleagues and institutions. Oral, electronic and written communication skills, including effective listening, therapeutic relationships and the importance of being culturally aware when undertaking care, are a feature of this unit. Students will simulate patient/client interviews to develop their skills in questioning and interviewing techniques, and patient/client teaching. Academic literacy will be introduced as a foundation to successful professional discourse. The relationship between communication and professional conduct as a service provider and contributor to the health care community are central constructs in this unit.

Prerequisite Rule

Only students studying courses C33, Y61, or Y76 can enrol in this unit.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded NCS1102

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the importance and application of cultural awareness when undertaking care.
  2. Demonstrate effective, questioning, active listening verbal and non-verbal communication within a patient/client interaction.
  3. Demonstrate effective written communication appropriate to professional standards.
  4. Explain the importance of a therapeutic relationship when undertaking care.
  5. Identify the principles related to patient/client education.

Unit Content

  1. Verbal and non-verbal communication.
  2. Interviewing skills, active listening, questioning and feedback.
  3. Development of therapeutic relationship.
  4. Culturally competent nursing practice.
  5. Effective and sensitive communication with vulnerable populations.
  6. The principles of patient/client education.
  7. Critically reflective practice.
  8. Inter-professional communication.
  9. The use of social media and information technology in professional communication.
  10. Management of patient/client complaints.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 116 x 2 hour lectureNot Offered13 x 2 hour lecture
Semester 110 x 2 hour tutorialNot Offered13 x 2 hour tutorial
Semester 1Not OfferedNot Offered12 x 1 hour workshop
Semester 215 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 2 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Interactive learning activities (18 hours), tutorials (18 hours), online materials.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentPatient/client interview with reflective essay40%
EssayPatient/client education essay20%
TestEnd of semester test40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentPatient/client interview with reflective essay40%
EssayPatient/client education essay20%
TestEnd of semester test40%

Core Reading(s)

  • Birks, M., Chapman, Y. S., & Davis, J. (2015). Professional and Therapeutic Communication. Oxford. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ecu/detail.action?docID=5402099
  • Birks, M., Davis, J., & Chapman, Y. B. (2020). Professional and Therapeutic Communication eBook (2nd ed., pp. 1–437). Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.ecu.edu.au/login?url=https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ecu/detail.action?docID=6154049
  • Birks, M., Davis, J., & Chapman, Y. B. (2020). Professional and Therapeutic Communication eBook (2nd ed., pp. 1–437). Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.ecu.edu.au/login?url=https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ecu/detail.action?docID=6154049

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

NUM1102|1|2