Overview
In this unit, you will have the opportunity to practice nursing care for individuals, including those who are acutely unwell. You will apply the relevant Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Professional Standards and the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHS) in your practice as a nursing student. You will identify risk and recognise and respond appropriately to the needs of the patient in the simulated and clinical environments. You will review the concept of scope of practice using the Decision-Making Framework (DMF) (NMBA, 2020). You are required to participate in a compulsory three (3) day, 24-hour residential school or equivalent prior to attending professional experience placement for this unit. This unit includes a 120 hour block professional experience placement in a clinical care environment. You must meet specific mandatory health, safety and security requirements to be eligible to attend each professional experience placement. Professional experience placements may be limited in your community, and you may be placed in other locations. Please be prepared financially and personally to cover the costs of relocating for placements. Due to the limited availability of placements, some block placements have start and/or end dates that fall outside standard term dates.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisites: BMSC11010 NURS11170 or admission to CM77 Co-requisite: NURS12160 NURS12162
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a pass/fail (non-graded) unit. To pass the unit, you must pass all of the individual assessment tasks shown in the table above.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Sute Comments
The number of people in our residential school group was too big. Because of this large group size, the teachers were unable to circulate the room and give feedback and assistance to each of us. If I did not have an EN in my group I would have learnt very little. This left me feeling very unprepared for placement.
To ensure quality of learning is achieved, the number of residential school teaching staff could be reviewed. Conduct regular check ins with students throughout the day to ensure student learning needs are being met will enhance and facilitate student learning. This allows the student opportunities to speak up regarding what learning needs and skill practices they require and/or missed out on practising.
Feedback from Sute comments
Maybe needs to be recognition of experience for EN's. All the skills shown in the lab were everyday skills already used by most of the EN's
It is recommended that the prior experience and clinical competence of Endorsed Enrolled Nurses (ENs) be recognised within the structure of residential school activities.This has been recognised and the implementation of a new pathway for EN's has been recommended, ensuring that ENs are challenged and engaged and their learning opportunities are tailored to their skill development.
Feedback from Sute Comments
Residential school was rushed. Two teachers for a large volume of students and the content to get through is too much. We got shown a PCA's and syringe drivers briefly to then have it followed up with 'but we will touch more on them in PEP4.'• Then why are we talking about it now and taking up valuable time. We got shown airway adjuncts but then were shown how an intubation was done but we are never going to intubate someone? This all takes up valuable time that could be spent one something else. The Enrolled Nurses in the group were having to guide and support the none EN's because the teachers are so stretched. Then the EN's would get in trouble for not 'staying in the scope of an RN student'•. The EN's would get told at the beginning that 'you are an RN student, things have changed since you studied'• but then the teachers would show techniques of 'this is how I was trained in the 80's'• yet best practice techniques have changed since then. The teachers would get frustrated with silence of the room when asking questions but then also get frustrated when the EN's 'weren't letting others answer'•.
Prioritise content based on Unit Learning Outcomes by limiting content to skills and knowledge directly relevant to PEP2-level outcomes. Clarify expectations for EN Students transitioning to RN by delivering clear, consistent messaging about the role and scope of ENs in the context of RN training. Ensure teaching aligns with current best practice by providing all educators with ongoing training in current clinical procedures and teaching practices. Review and improve time allocation by evaluating the structure of the three-day residential school to ensure adequate time for essential skill development. Implementing these changes can enhance student learning outcomes, ensure consistency across campuses, and better support both new and experienced learners in their transition to registered nursing practice.
- Demonstrate evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, and decision-making to provide culturally safe, quality, person-centred care consistent with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Professional Standards and the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHS) at a second-year student nurse level of practice in simulated and clinical environments.
- Safely and accurately perform medication calculations and demonstrate safe administration of medicines in both the simulated environment and the clinical practice setting.
- Apply theoretical knowledge and demonstrate provision of safe, appropriate, and responsive quality nursing care for consumers, families, and the broader community.
Content in this unit incorporates a number of professional nursing requirements
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Decision-Making Framework (DMF) - Nursing
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Registered Nurse Standards for Practice
Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice
Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships
Maintains the capability for practice
Comprehensively conducts assessments
Develops a plan for nursing practice
Provides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice
Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Nursing Code of Conduct
Legal compliance
Person-centred practice
Cultural practice and respectful relationships
Professional behaviour
Research in health
Health and wellbeing
International Council of Nursing Code of Ethics for Nursing
Nurses and People
Nurses and Practice
Nurses and the Profession
Nurses and co-workers
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
Clinical governance
Partnering with consumers
Preventing and Controlling healthcare-associated infection
Medication safety
Comprehensive care
Communicating for safety
Blood management
Recognising and responding to acute deterioration
Patient Safety Competency Framework
Person-centred care
Therapeutic communication
Cultural competence
Teamwork and collaborative practice
Clinical reasoning
Evidence-based practice
Preventing, minimising and responding to adverse events
Infection prevention and control
Medication safety
Aged Care Quality Standards
Consumer dignity and choice
Ongoing assessment and planning with consumers
Personal care and clinical care
Services and supports for daily living
Organisation’s service environment
Feedback and complaints
Human resources
Organisation governance
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - In-class Test(s) - 0% | |||
| 2 - Professional Practice Placement - 0% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Textbooks
Skills in Clinical Nursing
- 2nd Australian Edition (2021)
- Authors: Berman, A., Snyder, S., Levett-Jones, T., Burton, T., & Harvey, N.
- Pearson Education Australia
- Melbourne Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
- ISBN: 9781488620690
Additional Textbook Information
IT Resources
You will need access to the following IT resources:
Computer
CQUniversity Student Email
Internet
Unit Website (Moodle)
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- MS Teams
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.birt@cqu.edu.au
t.channell@cqu.edu.au
w.augutis@cqu.edu.au
l.jackson@cqu.edu.au
r.legros@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 09 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Preparation for and/or attendance at on-campus clinical learning activities.
Professional experience placement
Chapter
Complete all pre-brief learning activities before you attend your assigned 24-hour on-campus learning sessions.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Welcome and unit introduction
Activity:
Check the Sonia platform for the dates and venues of on-campus learning sessions and professional experience placements.
Complete pre-placement activities as required by your placement facility.
Assessment:
Assessment 1 to be completed during your assigned on-campus learning sessions.
Assessment 2 to be completed during your professional experience placement.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Week 2
Begin Date: 16 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Preparation for and/or attendance at on-campus clinical learning activities.
Professional experience placement
Chapter
Complete all pre-brief learning activities before you attend your assigned 24-hour on-campus learning sessions.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity:
Attend scheduled on-campus learning sessions and professional experience placements.
Complete pre-placement activities as required by your placement facility.
Assessment:
Assessment 1 to be completed during your assigned on-campus learning sessions.
Assessment 2 to be completed during your professional experience placement.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Week 3
Begin Date: 23 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Preparation for and/or attendance at on-campus clinical learning activities.
Professional experience placement
Chapter
Complete all pre-brief learning activities before you attend your assigned 24-hour on-campus learning sessions.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity:
Attend scheduled on-campus learning sessions and professional experience placements.
Complete pre-placement activities as required by your placement facility.
Census Date is next week. If you are struggling, please contact your Unit Coordinator for help
Assessment:
Assessment 1 to be completed during your assigned on-campus learning sessions.
Assessment 2 to be completed during your professional experience placement.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Week 4
Begin Date: 30 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Preparation for and/or attendance at on-campus clinical learning activities.
Professional experience placement.
Chapter
Complete all pre-brief learning activities before you attend your assigned 24-hour on-campus learning sessions.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity:
Attend scheduled on-campus learning sessions and professional experience placements.
Complete pre-placement activities as required by your placement facility.
Assessment:
Assessment 1 to be completed during your assigned on-campus learning sessions.
Assessment 2 to be completed during your professional experience placement.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Please note census date is 31/03/2026
Week 5
Begin Date: 06 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Preparation for and/or attendance at on-campus clinical learning activities.
Professional experience placement.
Chapter
Complete all pre-brief learning activities before you attend your assigned 24-hour on-campus learning sessions.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity:
Attend scheduled on-campus learning sessions and professional experience placements.
Complete pre-placement activities as required by your placement facility.
Assessment:
Assessment 1 to be completed during your assigned on-campus learning sessions.
Assessment 2 to be completed during your professional experience placement.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Week 6
Begin Date: 13 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Preparation for and/or attendance at on-campus clinical learning activities.
Professional experience placement.
Chapter
Complete all pre-brief learning activities before you attend your assigned 24-hour on-campus learning sessions.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity:
Attend scheduled on-campus learning sessions and professional experience placements.
Complete pre-placement activities as required by your placement facility.
Assessment:
Assessment 1 to be completed during your assigned on-campus learning sessions.
Assessment 2 to be completed during your professional experience placement.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 20 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Preparation for and/or attendance at on-campus clinical learning activities.
Professional experience placement.
Chapter
Complete all pre-brief learning activities before you attend your assigned 24-hour on-campus learning sessions.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity:
Attend scheduled on-campus learning sessions and professional experience placements.
Complete pre-placement activities as required by your placement facility.
Assessment:
Assessment 1 to be completed during your assigned on-campus learning sessions.
Assessment 2 to be completed during your professional experience placement.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Week 7
Begin Date: 27 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Preparation for and/or attendance at on-campus clinical learning activities.
Professional experience placement.
Chapter
Complete all pre-brief learning activities before you attend your assigned 24-hour on-campus learning sessions.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity:
Attend scheduled on-campus learning sessions and professional experience placements.
Complete pre-placement activities as required by your placement facility.
Assessment:
Assessment 1 to be completed during your assigned on-campus learning sessions.
Assessment 2 to be completed during your professional experience placement.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Week 8
Begin Date: 04 May 2026Module/Topic
Preparation for and/or attendance at on-campus clinical learning activities.
Professional experience placement.
Chapter
Complete all pre-brief learning activities before you attend your assigned 24-hour on-campus learning sessions.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity:
Attend scheduled on-campus learning sessions and professional experience placements.
Complete pre-placement activities as required by your placement facility.
Assessment:
Assessment 1 to be completed during your assigned on-campus learning sessions.
Assessment 2 to be completed during your professional experience placement.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Week 9
Begin Date: 11 May 2026Module/Topic
Preparation for and/or attendance at on-campus clinical learning activities.
Professional experience placement.
Chapter
Complete all pre-brief learning activities before you attend your assigned 24-hour on-campus learning sessions.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity:
Attend scheduled on-campus learning sessions and professional experience placements.
Complete pre-placement activities as required by your placement facility.
Assessment:
Assessment 1 to be completed during your assigned on-campus learning sessions.
Assessment 2 to be completed during your professional experience placement.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Week 10
Begin Date: 18 May 2026Module/Topic
Preparation for and/or attendance at on-campus clinical learning activities.
Professional experience placement.
Chapter
Complete all pre-brief learning activities before you attend your assigned 24-hour on-campus learning sessions.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity:
Attend scheduled on-campus learning sessions and professional experience placements.
Complete pre-placement activities as required by your placement facility.
Assessment:
Assessment 1 to be completed during your assigned on-campus learning sessions.
Assessment 2 to be completed during your professional experience placement.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Week 11
Begin Date: 25 May 2026Module/Topic
Professional experience placement.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity:
Attend scheduled professional experience placements.
Complete pre-placement activities as required by your placement facility.
Assessment:
Assessment 2 to be completed during your professional experience placement.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experiences in this unit. The survey opens Week 11 and closes one week before release of grades
Week 12
Begin Date: 01 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Professional experience placement.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment:
Assessment 2 to be completed during your professional experience placement.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – Please complete the unit evaluation survey.
Congratulations on completing this unit. Don’t forget to check your unit enrolments for next term
Exam Week
Begin Date: 08 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Professional experience placement.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment:
Assessment 2 to be completed during your professional experience placement.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Professional experience placement.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment:
Assessment 2 to be completed during your professional experience placement.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
As this unit is offered face-to-face, students are asked to prepare their own individual study plan to undertake self-led and self-directed study throughout the term. A key to your success is a strategic self-directed approach to learning and regular contact with your Unit Coordinator/s. Please check the Announcements and Discussion forums at least twice a week – there will be regular announcements about assessments and unit resources throughout the term and reviewing this information is essential to unit knowledge and your success. CQUniversity communicates with students through CQUniversity email. We recommend that you access your CQUniversity email at least twice a week so that you do not miss vital information about your studies.
1 In-class Test(s)
You will demonstrate your ability to perform basic maths, medication calculations, and your understanding of medication safety.
You have a maximum of three attempts to complete the quiz. Each attempt will be held on a different day of residential school. If you require an additional attempt, you must undertake remediation by completing a learning package and practice quiz prior to subsequent attempts. These learning packages are available on the Maths Central platform on Nursing Central. It is your responsibility to complete this between each attempt.
Instructions: Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity: You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. No Generative AI use is permitted in the completion of this assignment. You must not use AI tools or technology to produce substantive content. You are permitted to use technology or tools that assist with spelling, grammar or formatting.
Level of GenAI use allowed: Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Extensions: Extensions to this assessment are not available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment
Minimum Pass Criteria:
- You must achieve 100% to pass this assessment.
- You must pass this assessment to progress to professional experience placement.
- To pass this unit, you are required to achieve a pass grade in both assessments.
- Supplementary assessment is not available as per policy for Work Integrated Learning Units.
Day 1 of on-campus learning sessions (re-attempts may be offered on day 2 and/or day 3 of on- campus learning sessions). Extensions: Not available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment
Results for the quiz will be available immediately after the attempt is complete.
Assessment Criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Demonstrate evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, and decision-making to provide culturally safe, quality, person-centred care consistent with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Professional Standards and the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHS) at a second-year student nurse level of practice in simulated and clinical environments.
- Safely and accurately perform medication calculations and demonstrate safe administration of medicines in both the simulated environment and the clinical practice setting.
2 Professional Practice Placement
You will demonstrate your ability to successfully embed learning from this unit into Professional Nursing Placement as a second year Bachelor of Nursing student. Your Professional Nursing Placement (PNP) is assessed via the Australian Nurse Standards Assessment Tool (ANSAT). The ANSAT provides a platform for you and your assessor to record, reflect on and discuss your clinical learning and your clinical practice in line with the Registered nurse standards for practice.
Your assessment is undertaken with a registered nurse from your placement. All documentation is contained in SONIA. Therefore, there are a number of important steps you need to undertake to ensure that your assessment is completed.
Instructions: Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity: You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. No Generative AI use is permitted in the completion of this assignment. You must not use AI tools or technology to produce substantive content. You are permitted to use technology or tools that assist with spelling, grammar or formatting.
Level of GenAI use allowed: Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Extensions: Extensions to this assessment are not available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment
Minimum Pass Criteria:
- You must achieve a minimum grade of 3 for all ANSAT criteria to pass this assessment.
- To pass this unit, you are required to achieve a pass grade in all assessments
- Supplementary assessment is not available as per policy for Work Integrated Learning Units.
Three days after the completion of your placement. Extensions for assessment 2 are not available as per policy and that the 72-hour grace period does not apply to assessment 2.
Seven days after submission date
Assessment Criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Demonstrate evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, and decision-making to provide culturally safe, quality, person-centred care consistent with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Professional Standards and the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHS) at a second-year student nurse level of practice in simulated and clinical environments.
- Safely and accurately perform medication calculations and demonstrate safe administration of medicines in both the simulated environment and the clinical practice setting.
- Apply theoretical knowledge and demonstrate provision of safe, appropriate, and responsive quality nursing care for consumers, families, and the broader community.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
