Overview
This unit introduces you to the important role of communication in nursing practice and strategies to effectively communicate as a nurse. You will explore types of communication and communication strategies that are relevant to different health contexts, including mental health. Oral, electronic, and written communication skills, including effective listening, therapeutic relationships, and the importance of cultural and diversity awareness when undertaking care, will be explained in this unit. In particular, you will examine your own strengths in communication and how you can utilise these to manage future clinical challenges. Throughout this unit, you will review the relationship between communication and professional conduct, reflecting on key components and considerations in nursing communication within the interdisciplinary health care team.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Must be enrolled in CL91 Bachelor of Nursing or CG41 Start Uni Now.
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 graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
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 Staff feedback Student Feedback - Email, SUTE
Increased staff workload due to Moodle error while registering student groups.
This resulted in an increased staff workload. Remove compulsory group work for assignments for term 2.
Feedback from Student feedback - Verbal, Email, SUTE
Students felt group work assisted in deeper learning and understanding on the content.
Students in term 2 will be encouraged to form groups to continue to receive this benefit.
Feedback from Student feedback - SUTE, Verbal, Email
Students felt the portfolio focused on too much reflection.
Portfolio tasks changed from practical activities in groups and individual reflection to theoretical individual activities.
- Explore the fundamental role of communication in nursing practice as informed by professional standards.
- Explain communication strategies that enable effective professional relationships.
- Determine communication strategies to facilitate effective communication in individual and group contexts.
- Examine your communication strengths and identify communication strategies you may consider for future nursing practice.
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 (NMBA) Registered Nurse Standards for Practice
Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice
Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships
Maintains the capability for 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
Person-centred practice
Cultural practice and respectful relationships
Professional behaviour
Health and wellbeing
International Council of Nurses Code of Ethics for Nurses
Nurses and People
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
Partnering with consumers
Comprehensive care
Communicating for safety
Nurses and Practice
Patient Safety Competency Framework
Person-centred care
Therapeutic communication
Cultural competence
Teamwork and collaborative practice
Evidence-based practice
Preventing, minimising and responding to adverse events
Nurses and the Profession
Aged Care Quality Standards
Consumer dignity and choice
Ongoing assessment and planning with consumer
Personal care and clinical care
Services and supports for daily living
Organisation’s service environment
Feedback and complaints
Human resources
Organisational governance
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 40% | ||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 60% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 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
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Academic Learning Centre services
- CQUniversity library literature search tools
- Zoom account (Free)
- Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop
- CQUniversity Library Resources
- Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
- CQUniversity Library search engines for research articles
- CQUniversity Library Nursing/Midwifery/Social Work Resources
- Australian Standards (through CQU library)
- Word processing, spreadsheeting and PowerPoint software
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.
c.mcgoldrick@cqu.edu.au
d.p.richards@cqu.edu.au
d.pope@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 09 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Being a nurse - being a person
Chapter
Review the Moodle site and click on all the links.
Find out what is in Student Support.
Find out how to find the Library.
Click on the link and learn what is in the Academic Learning Centre.
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Welcome and Unit Introduction.
Weekly lecture/tutorial.
Activity: Access the General Discussion page and introduce yourself to your colleagues by providing your name and maybe why you are studying this unit and course.
Assessments: Review the assessment tasks and make a study plan.
Foundations of Academic Integrity Program: Complete your annual program.
Announcements and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Week 2
Begin Date: 16 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Getting your message across
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Recorded Lecture, Tutorial covering unit content and assessments.
Assessment 1 Quizzes – Start preparing for your quizzes by completing the weekly knowledge checks and activities.
Assessment 2 – Start your literature searching and preparing assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 3
Begin Date: 23 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Are you hearing me?
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Recorded Lecture, Tutorial regarding unit content and assessments.
Census Date is next week. If you are struggling, please contact your Unit Coordinator for help.
Assessment 1 – Start preparing for your quizzes by completing the weekly knowledge checks and activities.
Assessment 2 – Read the literature to identify the credibility of the evidence and continue preparing your assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 4
Begin Date: 30 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Recognising this is hard - responding to a person in distress
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Recorded Lecture, Tutorial regarding unit content and assessments.
Census Date – Tuesday Week 4
Assessment 1 -Continue preparing for your quizzes by completing the weekly knowledge checks and activities.
Assessment 2 – Read the literature to identify the credibility of the evidence and continue preparing your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 5
Begin Date: 06 Apr 2026Module/Topic
The power of non-verbal communication
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Recorded Lecture, Tutorial regarding unit content.
Assessment 1 - Quiz A is due this week. Continue preparing for your quizzes by completing the weekly knowledge checks and activities.
Assessment 2 – Continue preparing your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 6
Begin Date: 13 Apr 2026Module/Topic
The impact of the external environment and communication
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Recorded Lecture, Tutorial regarding unit content.
Assessment 1 - Continue preparing for your quizzes by completing the weekly knowledge checks and activities.
Assessment 2 – Continue preparing your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 20 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Break Week
Chapter
Please use this mid-term break as an opportunity to rest and recover. Enjoy your break!
Events and Submissions/Topic
No timetabled learning activities. Please use this week to progress your assessments.
Week 7
Begin Date: 27 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Appearances
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Recorded Lecture, Tutorial regarding unit content and assessments.
Assessment 1 - Continue preparing for your quizzes by completing the weekly knowledge checks and activities.
Assessment 2 – Continue preparing your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Mandatory Check closing date, Monday Week 10-18th May
Week 8
Begin Date: 04 May 2026Module/Topic
What's in a word?
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Recorded Lecture, Tutorial regarding unit content and assessments.
Assessment 1 - Continue preparing for your quizzes by completing the weekly knowledge checks and activities.
Assessment 2 – Continue preparing your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity. Check the originality of your assessment through Turnitin and make relevant changes to your assessment after reviewing your originality report
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Mandatory Check closing date, Monday Week 10-18th May.
Week 9
Begin Date: 11 May 2026Module/Topic
My patient is sick!
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Recorded Lecture, Tutorial regarding unit content and assessments.
Assessment 1 - Continue preparing for your quizzes by completing the weekly knowledge checks and activities.
Assessment 2 – Check your assessment and make relevant changes to your assessment prior to submission in Week 10.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Mandatory Check closing date, Monday Week 10-18th May.
Week 10
Begin Date: 18 May 2026Module/Topic
Communication with children and families
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Recorded Lecture, Tutorial regarding unit content and assessments.
Assessment 1 - Continue preparing for your quizzes by completing the weekly knowledge checks and activities.
Assessment 2 – Check your assessment and make relevant changes to your assessment prior to submission this week.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Mandatory Check closing date, Monday Week 10-18th May.
Written assessment Due: Week 10 Wednesday (20 May 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 11
Begin Date: 25 May 2026Module/Topic
Diverse Communication needs and first look at Borton's Reflective Model
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Recorded Lecture, Tutorial regarding unit content and assessments.
Assessment 1 - Continue preparing for your quizzes by completing the weekly knowledge checks and activities.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
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
Preparing for Placement - The final frontier
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom/Teams – Recorded Lecture, Tutorial regarding unit content and assessments.
Assessment 1 - Continue preparing for your quizzes by completing the weekly knowledge checks and activities.
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – Please complete the unit evaluation survey. AND Congratulations on completing this unit. Don’t forget to check your unit enrolments for next term.
Remember Assessment 1 Quiz B due Week 13.
Exam Week
Begin Date: 08 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
As this unit is offered online, 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 Online Quiz(zes)
You will complete the online quizzes to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of Effective Communication in the Health Care Environment.
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 cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
· For a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
2
Other
Assessment 1 Quiz A is due Week 5: Quiz opens: 00:01 hour (AEST) Monday 6th April 2026. Quiz closes: 23:59 hour (AEST) Wednesday 8th April 2026. Assessment 1 Quiz B Due Week 13: Quiz opens: 00:01 hour (AEST) Monday 8th June 2026. Quiz closes: 23:59 hour (AEST) Wednesday 10th June 2026.
Quiz results will be available immediately after the attempt is completed.
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Explore the fundamental role of communication in nursing practice as informed by professional standards.
- Explain communication strategies that enable effective professional relationships.
- Determine communication strategies to facilitate effective communication in individual and group contexts.
- Examine your communication strengths and identify communication strategies you may consider for future nursing practice.
2 Written Assessment
You must explore the foundational role of communication in nursing, examine professional standards, and reflect on your own communication strengths and areas for development. It supports the development of effective communication strategies in individual and group contexts, fostering professional relationships in healthcare settings
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. CQUniversity Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft CoPilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly. You are permitted to use technology or tools that assist with spelling, grammar or formatting.
Level of GenAI Use Allowed: Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Extensions
Extensions to this assessment are available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
· You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
· For a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 10 Wednesday (20 May 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Results for this assessment will be made available on 4 pm (AEST) Wednesday 10th June 2026
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more details on how marks will be assigned.
- Explore the fundamental role of communication in nursing practice as informed by professional standards.
- Explain communication strategies that enable effective professional relationships.
- Determine communication strategies to facilitate effective communication in individual and group contexts.
- Examine your communication strengths and identify communication strategies you may consider for future nursing practice.
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?
