CQUniversity Unit Profile
NURS20169 Nursing and Clinical Governance
Nursing and Clinical Governance
All details in this unit profile for NURS20169 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

In this unit you will have the opportunity to explore clinical governance, its application to nursing and the health care setting. You will apply a specific governance framework to your clinical setting and evaluate its effectiveness. You will also examine the use of clinical audits as part of a quality improvement cycle as a means for measuring clinical effectiveness and improving patient care.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 8
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 7
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in CL22 Master of Clinical Nursing or CL16 Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing to undertake this unit. Pre-requisite: NURS20170.

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

Online

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).

Class and Assessment Overview

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Workplace Project
Weighting: 60%
2. Presentation
Weighting: 40%

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.

Previous Student Feedback
Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Explain the concept of clinical governance and justify its relevance to the clinical setting and nursing practice.
  2. Apply a framework derived from the National Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care to evaluate clinical governance in a clinical setting.
  3. Explain the use of clinical audits as part of a quality improvement cycle to improve nursing practice and patient care.
  4. Identify deviations from best practice and discuss areas for improvement.

N/A.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Workplace Project - 60%
2 - Presentation - 40%

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 and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Academic Learning Centre services
  • Access to MIMS through the university library
  • CQUniversity library literature search tools
  • CQ university Library resourses for research
  • Microsoft Word
  • Wordprocessing, spreadsheeting and powerpoint software
  • Zoom account (Free)
  • Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop
  • Endnote bibliographic software. This is optional for formatting references.
  • Online access Australian Standards (through CQU Library)
  • CQUniversity Library Nursing Resources
  • CQUniveristy 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)
Referencing Style

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.

Teaching Contacts
Colleen Johnston-Devin Unit Coordinator
c.johnston-devin@cqu.edu.au
Lorraine Thompson Unit Coordinator
l.m.thompson@cqu.edu.au
Ainslie Hall Unit Coordinator
a.j.hall@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 14 Jul 2025

Module/Topic

Module 1 Nursing and Clinical Governance.

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: 21 Jul 2025

Module/Topic

Module 1 Nursing and Clinical Governance.

Chapter

Readings and activities as outlined in module.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom/Teams - Tutorial and unit content and assessments.

Assessment 1 - Start your literature searching and preparing assessment. 

Announcements 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: 28 Jul 2025

Module/Topic

Module 2. Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC).

Chapter

Readings and activities as outlined in module.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1 – 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: 04 Aug 2025

Module/Topic

Module 2 Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC).

Chapter

Readings and activities as outlined in module.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom/Teams – Tutorial and unit content and assessments (amend to suit your unit).

Assessment 1 – 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: 11 Aug 2025

Module/Topic

Module 3 Clinical Audits in Practice.

Chapter

Readings and activities as outlined in module.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1 – 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.

Vacation Week Begin Date: 18 Aug 2025

Module/Topic

Vacation 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 6 Begin Date: 25 Aug 2025

Module/Topic

Module 3 Clinical Audits in Practice.

Chapter

Readings and activities as outlined in module.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom/Teams – Tutorial and unit content and assessments (amend to suit your unit).

Assessment 1 – 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.

Week 7 Begin Date: 01 Sep 2025

Module/Topic

Module 4 The quality improvement cycle.

Chapter

Readings and activities as outlined in module.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1 – 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.


Workplace Project - Audit Plan Due: Week 7 Wednesday (3 Sept 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 8 Begin Date: 08 Sep 2025

Module/Topic

Module 4 The quality improvement cycle.

Chapter

Readings and activities as outlined in module.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom/Teams – Tutorial and unit content and assessments (amend to suit your unit).

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 9 Begin Date: 15 Sep 2025

Module/Topic

Module 5 Clinical Governance Infrastructure Across Clinical Settings.

Chapter

Readings and activities as outlined in module.

Events and Submissions/Topic

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 10 Begin Date: 22 Sep 2025

Module/Topic

Module 5 Clinical Governance Infrastructure Across Clinical Settings.

Chapter

Readings and activities as outlined in module.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom/Teams – Tutorial and unit content and assessments (amend to suit your unit).

Assessment 2 – 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.

Week 11 Begin Date: 29 Sep 2025

Module/Topic

Module 6 Identification of deviation from best practice and the improvement of patient care.

Chapter

Readings and activities as outlined in module.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 2 – 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.

Week 12 Begin Date: 06 Oct 2025

Module/Topic

Module 6 Identification of deviation from best practice and the improvement of patient care.

Chapter

Readings and activities as outlined in module.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom/Teams – Tutorial and unit content and assessments (amend to suit your unit).

Assessment 2 – 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.


Clinical Audit Report Due: Week 12 Wednesday (8 Oct 2025) 4:00 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 13 Oct 2025

Module/Topic

Nil.

Chapter

Nil.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Nil.

Exam Week Begin Date: 20 Oct 2025

Module/Topic

Nil.

Chapter

Nil.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Nil.

Term Specific Information

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.

Assessment Tasks

1 Workplace Project

Assessment Title
Workplace Project - Audit Plan

Task Description

Type:                                Workplace Project – Written Assignment

Due date:                         4pm (AEST) Wednesday 3rd September 2025 (Week 7) 

Extensions:                      Available as per policy.

                                         The 72-hour grace period applies to this assessment

Return date:                    Results for this assessment will be made available on Wednesday 24th September 2025 (Week 10).

Weighting:                      60%

Length:                            1,000 words +/- 10% (excluding reference list)

Unit Coordinators:          Dr Lorraine Thompson

 

Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate an applied understanding of clinical governance in your workplace.

 

Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit's 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.

 

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.
  • Level 3: You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any Al-generated content you use.

 

Minimum Pass Criteria

  • You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
  • In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Wednesday (3 Sept 2025) 4:00 pm AEST

Submit your assessment in Microsoft Word format only.


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Wednesday (24 Sept 2025)

Students will be advised of release of assessment marking via an announcement posted to the Announcement's Board on the Unit Moodle site. Please note, the "Return to Students Information" is an approximate date.


Weighting
60%

Assessment Criteria

Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit your assessment via the Assessment 1 submission portal on the unit Moodle site.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain the concept of clinical governance and justify its relevance to the clinical setting and nursing practice.
  • Apply a framework derived from the National Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care to evaluate clinical governance in a clinical setting.
  • Explain the use of clinical audits as part of a quality improvement cycle to improve nursing practice and patient care.

2 Presentation

Assessment Title
Clinical Audit Report

Task Description

Assessment Type:       Presentation

Due Date:                    4pm (AEST) Wednesday 8th October 2025 (Week 12)

PowerPoint poster to be submitted via Moodle.

The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment

Return to Students:   Results for this assessment will be available three weeks after the completion of your presentation and

submission of your rubric into the assessment two portal in Moodle. 

Duration:                    5 minutes 

Weighting:                 40% 

Length:                       One PowerPoint slide

Unit Coordinators:    Dr Lorraine Thompson

 

Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your applied understanding of clinical audits, and the associated quality standards, as part of the quality improvement cycle in your clinical setting. 

 

Instructions

Please refer to the assessment task instructions on on the unit's 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.

 

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.
  • Level 3: You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any Al-generated content you use.

 

Minimum Pass Criteria

  • You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
  • In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Wednesday (8 Oct 2025) 4:00 pm AEST

Students in partnered program: Assessment date is as arranged by Graduate Coordinator; Submit your PowerPoint presentation to Moodle by the due date. Students in non-partnered pathway: Submit your assessment in Microsoft PowerPoint format only, to Moodle by the due date.


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Wednesday (22 Oct 2025)

Students will be advised of release of assessment marking via an announcement posted to the Announcement's Board on the Unit Moodle site. Please note, the 'Return to Students Information" is an approximate date.


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission will be a two-part process: 1. 5-minute presentation – upload your marked and signed rubric (including front page) to the unit Moodle site under Assessment 2. 2. Academic Poster – upload PowerPoint poster slide to Moodle site under Assessment 2. Instructions for Assessment 2 Oral Presentations are related to whether you are enrolled in a partnered Graduate Program or not.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply a framework derived from the National Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care to evaluate clinical governance in a clinical setting.
  • Explain the use of clinical audits as part of a quality improvement cycle to improve nursing practice and patient care.
  • Identify deviations from best practice and discuss areas for improvement.

Academic Integrity Statement

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?