Overview
Covers bioscience and pharmacology informing registered nurse practice. Provides registered nurses with legal, ethical, prescribing and drug administration frameworks as described by the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
This paper covers key aspects of pharmacology, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotheraputics, with application to clinical practice clearly drawn. Participants have the opportunity to focus particular clinical interests in written assignment work and demonstrate application of pharmacological knowledge in the written examination. The content of the paper addresses selected prescribing competencies for advanced nursing practice as set out by the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ).
About this paper
| Paper title | Nursing - Applied Pharmacology |
|---|---|
| Subject | Nursing |
| EFTS | 0.25 |
| Points | 30 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 (16 February 2026 - 26 June 2026)
(Distance learning)
Semester 1 (16 February 2026 - 26 June 2026) (Distance learning) Semester 2 (Distance learning) Semester 2 (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching, and involves in-person assessment |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching, and involves in-person assessment |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching, and involves in-person assessment |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching, and involves in-person assessment |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $3,353.00 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- NURX 416
- Limited to
- MAdvNP, MHealSc, PGCertHealSc, PGDipHealSc
- Eligibility
The applicant will:
- Have registration as a nurse from a three-year programme or course, congruent with the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance (HPCA) Act 2003.
- Hold a current Practising Certificate.
- Contact
- nursingstudies.uoc@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- Teaching staff
Convenor: Georgina Casey
Secondary Convenor: Raisa Joensuu
- Paper Structure
The purpose of this paper is to provide registered nurses with a depth of understanding in pharmacology that allows for effective application within clinical practice. This may inform preparations for advanced nursing practice, including roles in which prescribing may be part of that practice.
The applied pharmacology paper integrates and extends health science knowledge, in particular, pathophysiology and pharmacotherapeutics. Learning activities emphasise the essential concerns of clinical pharmacology and promote the development of evidence- informed clinical reasoning involving the complex interaction between the patient and therapeutic drug interventions.
This paper will challenge students to explore and critically evaluate key aspects of rational, safe and effective use of medicines. Academic skill development will be advanced and evaluated through two assessment pieces.
- Teaching Arrangements
This Distance Learning paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching.
Three 2-day study blocks with a further exam day.
Enrolment information and course documentation will be sent to students two weeks prior to the start date of the first study block.
- Textbooks
Course Text:Knights, K., Darroch, S., Rowland, A., & Bushell, M. (2022). Pharmacology for Health Professionals (6th ed.). Australia: Elsevier. [previous editions may be used]
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course the student will be able to:
- Explain key pharmacological concepts including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, antimicrobial stewardship, adverse drug reactions and therapeutic drug monitoring, relating these to best practice in pharmacotherapeutics.
- Critically analyse and integrate pharmacological concepts with developmental, pathophysiological, genetic, environmental and socio-cultural factors as part of advanced clinical practice.
- Critique and apply research evidence and clinical guidelines to support evidence-informed, person-centred clinical reasoning in the evaluation of drug regimes
- Evaluate factors contributing to misuse of medicines and substance use disorders associated with specific drugs.
- Appraise current practices associated with high-risk medicines and adverse drug events.
- Identify legal, ethical, economic and regulatory concepts relevant to clinical practice in pharmacotherapeutics
Overview
Covers bioscience and pharmacology informing registered nurse practice. Provides registered nurses with legal, ethical, prescribing and drug administration frameworks as described by the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
This paper covers key aspects of pharmacology, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics, with application to clinical practice clearly drawn. Participants have the opportunity to focus on particular clinical interests in written assignment work and demonstrate application of pharmacological knowledge in the written examination. The content of the paper addresses selected prescribing competencies for advanced nursing practice as set out by the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ).
About this paper
| Paper title | Nursing - Applied Pharmacology |
|---|---|
| Subject | Nursing |
| EFTS | 0.25 |
| Points | 30 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1
(Distance learning)
Semester 1 (Distance learning) Semester 2 (Distance learning) Semester 2 (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is a combination of remote and in-person teaching |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- NURX 416
- Limited to
- MAdvNP, MHealSc, PGCertHealSc, PGDipHealSc
- Eligibility
The applicant will:
- Have registration as a nurse from a three-year programme or course, congruent with the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance (HPCA) Act 2003.
- Hold a current Practising Certificate.
- Contact
- nursingstudies.uoc@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- Teaching staff
Convener: Georgina Casey
- Paper Structure
The purpose of this paper is to provide registered nurses with a depth of understanding in pharmacology that allows for effective application within clinical practice. This may inform preparations for advanced nursing practice, including roles in which prescribing may be part of that practice.
The applied pharmacology paper integrates and extends health science knowledge, in particular, pathophysiology and pharmacotherapeutics. Learning activities emphasise the essential concerns of clinical pharmacology and promote the development of evidence-informed clinical reasoning involving the complex interaction between the patient and therapeutic drug interventions.
This paper will challenge students to explore and critically evaluate key aspects of rational, safe and effective use of medicines. Academic skill development will be advanced and evaluated through two assessment pieces.
- Teaching Arrangements
This paper is delivered via in-person teaching only.
You must be available to attend all study blocks and the online examination.
Study blocks: 3 two-day study blocks
Enrolment information and course documentation will be sent to students two weeks prior to the start date of the first study block.
- Textbooks
There is no set text for this paper. Readings will be advised.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course the student will be able to:
- Explain key pharmacological concepts including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, antimicrobial stewardship, adverse drug reactions and therapeutic drug monitoring, relating these to best practice in pharmacotherapeutics.
- Critically analyse and integrate pharmacological concepts with developmental, pathophysiological, genetic, environmental and socio-cultural factors as part of advanced clinical practice.
- Critique and apply research evidence and clinical guidelines to support evidence-informed, person-centred clinical reasoning in the evaluation of drug regimes
- Evaluate factors contributing to patient engagement with drug therapy, misuse of medicines and substance use disorders.
- Appraise current practices associated with high-risk medicines and adverse drug events.
- Identify legal, ethical, economic and regulatory concepts relevant to clinical practice in pharmacotherapeutics