Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:35 AM AWST

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Apply nursing practice in the critical care setting

Apply nursing practice in the critical care setting

Unit of competency
National Code
HLTENN021
State Code
AVZ96
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
08/12/2015
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
22/06/2016
Field of Education
060309 - Critical Care Nursing
Original Release Date
22/06/2016
Nominal Hours
70
Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to practise within the critical care environment. Enrolled nurses working in critical care nursing need to hold and apply in-depth knowledge, effectively integrate theory and practice, and make reliable clinical assessments and judgements.This unit applies to enrolled nurses, registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, seeking specialisation in enrolled nurse work that is carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses, and under direct or indirect supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia regulatory authority legislative requirements.The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Apply theoretical concepts and principles in providing critical care nursing
  • 1.1 Identify the person’s current health status and limitations and their medications and therapeutic regimes in the critical care setting with the person, family or carer
  • 1.2 Identify factors impacting the person’s health status and report to the registered nurse significant alterations in the person’s health status
  • 1.3 Identify and respond to the psychosocial needs of the person in the critical care environment
  • 1.4 Identify and apply a systems approach to nursing care
2. Contribute to interdisciplinary health care team in caring for a person in the critical care environment
  • 2.1 Identify role of specialist nursing and medical services in care of the person in the critical care environment and work effectively with others
  • 2.2 Collaborate with interdisciplinary health care team in partnership with the person, family or carer to maintain continuity of nursing care planning
  • 2.3 Identify factors relevant to the person’s situation, giving consideration to physical, psychological, social and economic impacts
  • 2.4 Review care plan and data collected, and communicate to relevant members of the interdisciplinary health care team
  • 2.5 Recognise the person’s choices and any advance care planning, and advocate for the rights and responsibilities of the person in critical care
3. Perform complex nursing interventions to assist a person in critical care to attain and maintain optimal health
  • 3.1 Manage nursing workload according to a person’s needs and re-prioritise care activities for the person rapidly when circumstances change
  • 3.2 Undertake appropriate pre-, intra- and post-diagnostic procedures in line with scope of practice and organisation policy and procedures, and in collaboration with the registered nurse
  • 3.3 Respond rapidly to adverse and emergency events applying knowledge of pathophysiology and using problem-solving approaches in line with organisation policy and procedures and within scope of practice
  • 3.4 Identify when the acuity of a person’s critical care needs is beyond own skill and knowledge, and refer promptly to registered nurse and relevant interdisciplinary health care team members
4. Develop own practice in the critical care nursing environment
  • 4.1 Make appropriate proposals for nursing interventions in consultation with registered nurse to promote improved outcomes for the person and their condition
  • 4.2 Evaluate nursing interventions provided and evaluate the outcomes against evidence-based best practice in critical care nursing
  • 4.3 Recognise symptoms of stress and professional burnout in self, peers and colleagues, and refer to appropriate services within organisation policies and procedures and scope of practice
  • 4.4 Seek out opportunities and participate in professional development, acquiring knowledge to guide own practice and acting as a resource for colleagues
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
D8232 HLTEN607B Practise in the critical care environment Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
ODI77 HLTENN053 Apply nursing practice in the critical care setting Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
AZA2 HLT64115 Advanced Diploma of Nursing Qualification