Overview
This unit provides you with advanced knowledge of contemporary nursing practice in the Australian healthcare industry. You will examine current legislation, registration standards and scope of practice documents in order to organise and delegate safe and effective healthcare for individuals, families and groups. Ethical and legal considerations that arise from working in the nursing profession will be critically analysed and you will consider ethical, professional and self-management implications for practice. You will be encouraged to demonstrate sound judgement in applying legal and ethical frameworks in a simulated activity. You will critically evaluate the use of evidence-informed practice in nursing and will examine its significance in clinical leadership. This allows you to design and communicate a quality improvement plan in a simulated health setting.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Students must be enrolled in either: CH79 Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-Entry) orCL02 Graduate Certificate in Nursing (International Registered Nurse Entry)
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 2 - 2025
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 Postgraduate 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 Survey on teams
66% of students strongly agreed the lecturer's teaching methods were effective with another 33% agreed the lecturer's teaching methods were effective.
Continue with current teaching methodology
Feedback from data smart
Another excellent unit. Content and teaching were relevant, well organised and effective. The weekly classes prepared us well for the quiz. I appreciate that it was referred to as a quiz and not an exam. It lightened the pressure. Having the time, we did for the quiz was excellent as it gave me the chance to actually think about the questions, refer to notes and references, and then answer. Thinking critically doesn't happen instantly so having that time is important.
Continue to discuss assessment pieces in class and develop strategies for learning.
Feedback from data smart
By not being able to attend the scheduled time for the lecture due work commitments I felt this to be a disadvantage to the ability to understand the content fully as the group members that did attend the lectures were able to discuss the content at hand.
Emphasise the relevance of creating groups among students in teams for those who cannot attend workshops.
- Apply legal and ethical frameworks and professional codes and guidelines to nursing practice
- Delegate nursing care in an appropriate manner, to optimise patient outcomes in simulated scenarios
- Evaluate sources of evidence in order to design an evidence-informed nursing care plan
- Apply the principles of clinical leadership to construct a best-practice change concept.
The unit learning outcomes are linked to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's "Registered Nurses Standards for Practice".
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||
| 2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 50% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | ||||
| 2 - Communication | ||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | ||||
| 4 - Research | ||||
| 5 - Self-management | ||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | ||||
| 7 - Leadership | ||||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Camera and microphone for attending Zoom tutorials
- Laptop/Computer
- Microsoft Teams (both microphone and webcam capability)
- Zoom access for weekly meetings
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.
s.ohlin@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Over the next three weeks, we will comprehensively review and build upon your knowledge of evidence-informed practice and knowledge translation.
Chapter
- The person-centred care framework
- NSQHS Standard 2
- Essentials of care
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please see a detailed weekly schedule in Moodle
Module/Topic
This class will delve further into your research question and Person-centred/Inspirational motivation and coaching conceptual framework.
There is an ALC class timed for 1200.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Team discussion: Person-centred/Inspirational motivation and coaching conceptual framework.
Module/Topic
This week we extend your knowledge of person-centered care, practice development, and Inspirational motivation and coaching conceptual framework.
Chapter
- Searching for the evidence
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
This week concentrate on your knowledge of evidence-informed practice and knowledge translation.
There is a combined ALC class in the afternoon
Chapter
- Analysing the Evidence
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 feedback ( not mandatory) is due
Census April 1st
Module/Topic
We continue to extend on your knowledge of evidence-informed practice and knowledge translation.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
This is a designated vacation week. Enjoy a well-earned rest.
Chapter
There is no work this week.
Events and Submissions/Topic
There is no work this week.
Module/Topic
Over the next two weeks, we will comprehensively review and build upon your knowledge of the nursing scope of practice and delegation. This week will focus on the scope of practice of the healthcare team.
Chapter
- Healthcare team Scope of Practice
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Over the next weeks, we will build upon your knowledge of nursing law, professional guidelines and ethics.
- Code of conduct
- scope of practice and focus on delegation.
Chapter
- Delegation
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
This is a combined ALC class. Please check the schedule.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
No class.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
We finish our review and ethical and legal frameworks by focusing on nursing and the law.
Chapter
3. Working Legally
4. Consolidation activity
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Please fill in the "have your say" email evaluations for this unit.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
Unit Code: NURS20160
Unit Title: The Nurse Professional
Assessment 1
Type: Written assessment (with oral presentation)
Due date:
Week 4 Feedback: 4 pm (AEST) Wednesday 6th August 2025, Person-centred care Transformational conceptual framework, and a nursing care topic research question (PICO /PEO), and submit one article for formative feedback.
Week 6: 4 pm (AEST) Wednesday 27th August 2025
Extensions: Available as per policy
The 72-hour grace period applies for this assessment
Return date: 17 September 2025 (Week 9)
Weighting: 50%
Length: 2000 words (this is in addition to the 1065 words of the word template)
Unit Coordinator: Simone Ohlin
Learning Outcomes Assessed
- Evaluate sources of evidence to design an evidence-informed nursing care plan.
- Apply the principles of clinical leadership to construct a best practice change concept.
Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your understanding of evaluating the evidence and applying the principles of clinical leadership to construct a best practice change concept.
Instructions
Please use the assessment template provided and follow the steps below to complete your assessment task:
Step 1: Produce a drawing (utilising the concept of transformational leadership, then combine transformational leadership and the person-centred care framework (conceptual framework).
Step 2: Using the PICO/PEO framework, create a research question, search for relevant articles using the nursing databases and conduct a small review of literature to explore “best practice” for a patient in an aspect of ONE (1)of the following topics:
A: Sleep deprivation of patients in a paediatric acute care hospital ward
B: Surgical hand preparation. To scrub or to rub
C: Management of intravenous devices
Step 3: Explain how you would use your conceptual framework to integrate your research findings into a clinical environment by recording a 5–8-minute in-service for your nursing colleagues to help them design an evidence-informed nursing care plan.
Actions
Using the template provided in Moodle, complete a small (5-article) review of the literature on nursing care from your choice of topic from above. You will learn how to perform the review during your studies. The lecturer will support you through tutorials, and you will submit sections of your assessment periodically. In this process, you will use the template to undertake the following steps:
1. Create a diagram of a person-centred/Transformational conceptual framework.
2. Create a research question from ONE (1) of the topics. Using PEO/PICO.
3. Undertake a database search.
4. Select five articles and evaluate the evidence presented in each article.
5. Applying the principles of clinical leadership and best practice in change management, utilise the evidence gained from your research to create and record a 5–8-minute in-service for your nursing colleagues to help them design an evidence-informed nursing care plan. You must upload a reference list in your template.
Literature and references
In this assessment, use at least 10 contemporary references (7 years or less) to support your discussion. You may also use seminal scholarly literature where relevant. Suitable references include peer-reviewed journal articles as well as textbooks and credible websites. When sourcing information, consider the five elements of quality reference: currency, authority, relevance, objectivity, and coverage. Grey literature sourced from the internet must be from reputable websites such as government, university, or peak national bodies: for example, the Australian College of Nursing, the Australian Association of Social Workers, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Note that websites such as StatPearls, Life in the Fastlane, and Wikipedia are not suitable for this assessment task. Lecture notes are not primary sources of evidence and should not be used in this assessment. All resources, other than web pages and grey literature, must be sourced from the CQUniversity library.
Requirements
- Use a conventional and legible size 12 font, such as Times New Roman, with 2.0 line spacing and 2.54 cm page margins (the standard pre-set margin in Microsoft Word).
- All questions in the Instructions of this assessment must be attempted and clearly answered to pass this assessment task.
- Write in the third-person perspective
- Use formal academic, discipline specific, professional and inclusive language.
- Use Microsoft Word English (Australia) spelling and grammar checker.
- Paraphrase, summarise or quote information acknowledging the original source (referencing) to avoid plagiarism.
- Use essay structure.
- Follow academic writing conventions: spell out contractions in full; introduce abbreviations and acronyms; spell out numbers for zero through nine and use numerals for numbers 10 and above.
- All work submitted must be your own work.
- Start your reference list on a separate page to the body of your assessment.
- Use the seventh edition American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style. The CQUniversity Academic Learning Centre has an online APA
- Referencing Style Guide.
- The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. The word count excludes the reference list but includes in-text references and direct quotations
Resources
- You can use unit-provided materials and other credible sources (e.g., journal articles and books) to reference your argument. The quality and credibility of your sources are important.
- We recommend that you access your discipline-specific Nursing Resource Guide.
- You may like to manage your citations and reference list. Information on how to use academic referencing software (EndNote) is available at the CQUniversity Library website, should you wish to learn how to use it.
- For academic writing and referencing information, please go to the Academic Learning Centre Moodle site. The Academic Communication section has many helpful resources, including information for students with English as a second language.
- You may wish to submit a draft to Studiosity.
- Submit at least one draft of your assignment before the due date to review your Turnitin Similarity Score before uploading your final submission. Instructions are available here.
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.
- The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) and Level 3 (AI Collaboration) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
-
- Gen AI content is used to generate ideas and general structures.
- Gen AI content editing.
- Checking spelling and grammar.
-
- CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
- Any use of Gen AI software:
- Must be cited in the relevant sections
- Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
- You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Submission
Submit your assessment via the unit Moodle site in Microsoft Word format only.
Upload your video using the instructions in Moodle.
Late penalties of 5% per day of the available mark may be applied as per the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Contact TASAC if you experience technical issues submitting your assessment:
Phone toll-free 1300 666 620
Marking Criteria
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more details on how marks will be assigned. Assessment re-attempt is not available for this Assessment task.
Minimum Pass Criteria
You must achieve a minimum grade of 50% to pass this assessment.
In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 6 Wednesday (27 Aug 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 9 Wednesday (17 Sept 2025)
No Assessment Criteria
- Evaluate sources of evidence in order to design an evidence-informed nursing care plan
- Apply the principles of clinical leadership to construct a best-practice change concept.
2 Online Quiz(zes)
Unit Code: NURS20160
Unit Title: The Nurse Professional
Assessment 2
Type: Online quiz
Week 10
Quiz opens: 00:01 hour (AEST) Wednesday 24th September 2025 (Week 10)
Quiz closes: 23:59 hours (AEST) Wednesday 24th September 2025 (Week 10)
Length: 25 multiple choice questions
Extensions: Not available as per policy
The 72-hour grace period does not apply for this assessment
Return to students: Results for the quiz will be available immediately after the attempt is complete
Permitted attempts: One (1) attempt
Weighting: 50%
Completion time: 45 minutes
Unit Coordinator: Simone Ohlin
Learning Outcomes Assessed
- Apply legal and ethical frameworks and professional codes and guidelines to nursing practice.
- Delegate nursing care in an appropriate manner, to optimise patient outcomes in simulated scenarios.
Aim
The aim of this assessment is to test your knowledge, application of knowledge to practice and critical thinking concerning:
- The Code of Conduct for Nurses
- The ICN Code of Ethics
- The Registered Nurse Standards for Practice
- The NMBA Decision-making Framework for Nursing and Midwifery
- Mandatory reporting
Instructions:
- You will be completing an online quiz.
- Quiz questions are drawn from a bank and will be randomised.
- The quiz contains 5 scenarios. Each scenario has 5 multiple-choice quiz questions. Therefore, there are 25 multiple choice quiz questions. Each question is worth 1 point. Marks are not deducted for incorrect answers.
- Access the quiz via the Assessment tile portal on the Unit Moodle site.
- This is an open-book quiz. You can refer to your learning materials at any time during your attempt. However, students should be familiar with the content as time limits apply.
- You have a maximum of 45 minutes to complete the Quiz
- You have a maximum of one (1) attempt.
- You must complete the quiz in one attempt. The quiz will automatically close at the end of the allocated time, and will submit your result even if you have not finished.
- Once you have commenced your quiz, you cannot log out. Please do not refresh or reload your screen as this may close your quiz and record your result.
- If you have any technical issues let the unit coordinators know immediately. You are required to take a screenshot or photo of the issue and email it to the unit coordinators as soon as possible. We will assist you with resolving the issue or refer you to TaSAC for further assistance (toll-free phone number 1300 666 620).
Requirements
You will need:
- Computer access with a reliable internet connection.
- Moodle login and password details.
- Your learning materials to access during the quiz.
Academic Integrity
- You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completing this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
- The use of any generative artificial intelligence is not permitted as per Level 1 (No AI) in the AI Assessment scale tool indicators
Submission
- You will complete this quiz online.
- Click submit at the end of the quiz.
- Click submit at the end of the quiz and your answers will be automatically submitted.
- Assessment re-attempt is not available for this assessment.
Marking Criteria
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned. Assessment re-attempt is not available for this Assessment task.
Minimum Pass Criteria
- You must achieve a minimum grade of 50% in this assessment.
- In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
1
Other
Week 10 Wednesday (24 Sept 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Quiz opens at 0001 and closes at 1159pm
Week 10 Friday (26 Sept 2025)
No Assessment Criteria
- Apply legal and ethical frameworks and professional codes and guidelines to nursing practice
- Delegate nursing care in an appropriate manner, to optimise patient outcomes in simulated scenarios
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?
