N8018 Critical and acute Proposed offering
Orthopaedic Nursing
From trauma to recovery, every movement matters.
Registered nurses in orthopaedic, trauma, rehabilitation and community settings.
Overview
Orthopaedic nursing focuses on preventing and treating musculoskeletal disorders and associated traumatic conditions. This specialty explores the impact of acute and chronic illness and the range of musculoskeletal dysfunction associated with trauma.
It emphasises assessment and management strategies across adult and paediatric settings, using case studies, multimedia and discussion forums in a virtual classroom.
Overview adapted from the official IHM Orthopaedic Nursing specialisation page.
Topics and themes
Themes highlighted in the published specialisation content. A detailed unit topic schedule is To be confirmed.
- 01
Prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders
- 02
Musculoskeletal dysfunction associated with trauma
- 03
Impact of acute and chronic illness
- 04
Assessment and management in adult and paediatric settings
- 05
Evidence-based orthopaedic nursing
Learning focus and outcomes
Unit learning outcomes: To be confirmed
Verbatim accredited learning outcomes for unit N8018 will be published once confirmed by IHM.
Parent specialisation learning focus
Listed on the official Graduate Certificate Orthopaedic Nursing page at award-specialisation level. Shown for context only; these are not the unit learning outcomes.
- 1Apply critical thinking processes, problem-solving abilities and effective communication to the evaluation and administration of nursing care delivered to patients within healthcare settings
- 2Critically review the roles, functions and the scope of practice
- 3Demonstrate leadership within a multidisciplinary healthcare team responsible for delivering excellent therapeutic treatment to patients
- 4Perform an assessment of the legal, ethical, social, cultural and political issues that influence the delivery of person-centred healthcare
- 5Recognise, evaluate and use evidence-based nursing strategies while caring for clients
Assessment
Assessment types and weightings for this micro-credential are To be confirmed. Under the proposal, micro-credential learners would complete the same assessment as students in the award unit.
For reference, the official GCAN pages describe assessment that can be completed entirely online, without attending an examination centre.
Duration, volume and delivery
- Duration
- To be confirmed
- Learning hours
- To be confirmed
- Delivery mode
- To be confirmed
The parent Graduate Certificate is delivered online. Course durations and fees published for the full award do not apply to an individual micro-credential.
Eligibility
- Proposed: current registration as a registered nurse.
- Proposed: domestic students and eligible non-student visa holders only. Not CRICOS registered and not available on a student visa.
- Parent-course qualification and English requirements are shown as reference on the requirements page. Standalone admission rules are subject to confirmation.
- Please ask IHM admissions to confirm any clinical access requirements relevant to orthopaedic nursing.
Credit and pathway
This micro-credential is proposed to be the same unit as N8018 Orthopaedics Nursing in the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing. In the award, this specialty is paired with N8019 Professional Reflection in Orthopaedics Nursing and the core unit N9001 Professional Issues and Policies in Nursing.
Credit into the parent award is expected to be assessed under the IHM Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy. The formal credit rule and any time limit are To be confirmed.
How to enrol
- 1
Read the common requirements and check the parent-course reference criteria.
- 2
Contact IHM to confirm this micro-credential is open, along with dates, fees and clinical access requirements.
- 3
Only once IHM confirms availability, follow their guidance to apply through the official portal.
This prototype does not submit enquiries or applications. Micro-credential availability must be confirmed with IHM.
Sources
Also in critical and acute
Critical Care Nursing
Anticipate the change before it arrives.
Registered nurses working in, or moving toward, ICU and high-acuity environments.
Based on unit N8004
Acute Care Nursing
Steady hands for the sudden and serious.
Registered nurses caring for patients with brief but serious conditions on busy acute wards.
Based on unit N8006
Emergency Nursing
Clear thinking at the front door of the hospital.
Registered nurses in emergency departments, urgent care and regional EDs.
Based on unit N8008