NURSPRAC 711 - Pain Nursing Specialty Nursing

This course draws on evidence from biomedical and social science research to equip nurses for the care and treatment of patients experiencing pain. Students will be expected to integrate evidence from a range of sources and apply this to the practice of nursing patients with pain.

Restriction: NURSING 730 

Aims of the course

This course aims to give nurses the opportunity to extend their specialty knowledge in caring for clients in specialty clinical areas. The focus is on 2 main areas:

• Scientific concepts and pathophysiological process
• Application of specialty knowledge and skill to client care

Learning outcomes

Within a defined area of specialty nursing practice, nurses will:

• Apply an understanding of pathophysiological/physiological processes of specific disease states contributing to individual clients/ client groups pain experience
• Demonstrate the care of clients with complex issues associated with pain and specific health care needs including client learning and the development of overall client health care plans relating to pain management
• Demonstrate competency in pain management assessment skills
• Demonstrate understanding of the use of pharmacological and non‐pharmacological approaches to pain management
• Analyse the impact of illness and health care experience on the client/family
• Evaluate the ethical and legal parameters of current nursing practice
• Demonstrate understanding of scientific concepts and pathophysiological processes within the context of pain management
• Increase their knowledge and use of applied science in caring for clients experiencing pain
• Apply this knowledge to clients signs, symptoms and presentation of pain
• Relate the use and interpretations of diagnostic tests/tools for example: verbal rating scale or brief pain inventory
• Develop an understanding of social, economic and political factors related to pain management
• Apply concepts such as caring, ethics, advocacy to clients and the management of their pain