Teaching Family Nursing To Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Review Of Australian Curricula

Abstract

Background Nursing education programs continue to adapt to current health-care trends which include higher acuity clients, early discharge, short-stay procedures and an increasing reliance on community-based care. Families are considered an integral part of the wellbeing and recovery of patients in all settings. Australian Family Nurses have developed innovative practice, tools and education approaches that facilitate client and family partnership in healthcare, yet there is limited evidence that these best practice strategies are taught in Nursing Schools. Methods-(Educational Focus) This study reviewed Australian University Nursing curricula to identify where Family Nursing was being taught as a named subject rather than integrated throughout curricula. A designated Family Nursing subject builds knowledge about family nursing theory and the importance of including family as a unit-of-care across the lifespan during both healthy development and episodes of illness. Learning about Family Assessment Models (FAMs) provides a theoretical approach to understanding family development, structure and functioning as students learn to identify family strengths. This knowledge supports the development of meaningful partnerships with families and contributes to co-designed family interventions. Results There have been significant changes to curricula across Australia over the last decade with most Nursing Schools choosing to incorporate family-focused care into broader subjects rather than continuing to include a stand-alone subject. This review found just four of the 28 reviewed curricula included a named Family Nursing subject. Whilst most curricula identified the importance of family-focussed care in specific subjects or electives, learning outcomes related to acute paediatrics, primary health care, First Peoples Health or care of older persons. Conclusions Teaching undergraduate nursing students about family as a unit-of-care within a named Family Nursing subject supports application of theory to practice. Students are supported to understand both health promotion and heath restoration within a social context in relation to healthy family function.