LEARNING CONTRACT
Details of task:
Students are required to develop 2 learning contracts that describe their personal learning objectives for the semester. Support will be given during on campus sessions to assist development of the learning contracts.
Word limit: 1,500 words Value: 20%
Learning Contract A
Value 10%
Requirements:
Feedback from our clinical partners has revealed that students on consolidation placement often need to improve their knowledge of pharmacology and pathophysiology. This part of the learning contract is designed to prepare you as best as possible in these areas before you commence your placement. We have provided dedicated time and resources in this unit to allow you to work on your individual needs. You should refer to your shift reports and summative clinical assessment, particularly from your semester 2 placement to help you with this activity.
Learning contract A requires you to develop a plan to identify objectives and achievable strategies to allow you to develop your knowledge in:
Areas of pharmacology that you have identified as needing further revision and study
Areas of pathophysiology that you have identified as needing further revision and study
An area of specific interest in nursing
You should then use this plan to guide your self-directed activities prior to commencing placement.
It is suggested that you identify a minimum of 2 and maximum of 3 goals. Complete one template for each of your goals. You are required to write learning objectives that you wish to achieve that are relevant to your goal. These need to be specific, measurable and achievable so that they guide and focus your learning. To assist you in developing these, refer to brief taxonomy below and select from these verbs to write your objectives. Develop a minimum of 3, but no more than 5 objectives.
Domain Verb Knowledge arrange, define, label, list, name, order, relate, state Comprehension classify, describe, discuss, explain, identify, locate, select, Application apply, choose, interpret, sketch, solve, Analysis analyse, appraise, calculate, categorize, compare, contrast, criticize, differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, examine Synthesis arrange, construct, create, develop, organize, plan, prepare, propose, Evaluation appraise, argue, assess, attach, compare, defend, estimate, select, support, Ref: Bloom, B. 1984 Taxonomy of Educational Objectives Boston: Allyn and Bacon, Boston, MA Your learning goals and objectives form the initial learning contract submission. The reflective component of your learning contract must be completed and resubmitted with your Professional Portfolio assessment requirement on Sunday 28 February.
Learning contract B
Value: 10%
Requirements: Students are required to develop a learning contract for their upcoming consolidation clinical placement.
For learning contract B your learning objectives should be framed within the domains of the NMBA National Competency Standards for the Registered Nurse:
Professional Practice:
This relates to the professional, legal and ethical responsibilities which require demonstration of a satisfactory knowledge base, accountability for practice, functioning in accordance with legislation affecting nursing and health care, and the protection of individual and group rights.
Critical Thinking and Analysis:
This relates to self – appraisal, professional development, and the value of evidence and research for practice. Reflecting on practice, feelings and beliefs and the consequences of these for individuals/groups is an important professional benchmark.
Provision and Coordination of Care:
This domain relates to the coordination, organization and provision of nursing care that includes the assessment of individuals /groups, planning, implementation and evaluation of care.
Collaborative and Therapeutic Practice:
This relates to establishing, sustaining and concluding professional relationships with individuals/groups. This also contains those competencies that relate to the nurse understanding their contribution to the interdisciplinary health care team.
You are expected to refer to your clinical summative assessments from previous clinical units and the objectives of this unit to develop at least five specific learning objectives that you aim to achieve during consolidation placement. Each learning objective needs to describe an observable behaviour.
Each learning objective should have a standard by which it can be measured and the context in which the objective is to be performed.
An example is provided below:
NMBA Competency Domain Competency Standards Learning Objective Strategy(ies) to achieve the learning objective
Provision and Coordination of Care 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 Conduct an accurate nursing assessment for each patient being cared for during the shift. • Perform a primary and secondary assessment on each patient during shift. Assessment will include reference to information sources including direct observations, patient history, charts and notes.
• Assess specific issues pertaining to each patient as per their care plan such as maintaining a fluid balance chart or taking a daily weight.
