Overview
This unit will provide you with the knowledge and skills to enhance your confidence and competence as a registered nurse. In this unit you will critically appraise your clinical environment, nursing decisions and professional practice. You will develop advanced clinical skills including assessment, planning, intervention implementation, and evaluation of nursing actions in the care of people in diverse clinical settings.
Details
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.
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 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 No data analysis available.
No data analysis available.
No data analysis available.
- Demonstrate application of ethical, legal and professional practice concepts to the continued development of your professional identity.
- Analyse and apply psychosocial, ethical and legal considerations in clinical decision-making.
- Demonstrate advanced clinical skills in the evaluation and implementation of evidence-based nursing interventions in diverse clinical settings.
- Critically reflect on the application of your nursing knowledge, and ethical, legal and professional practice and identify strengths and areas for professional development.
Not applicable.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Reflective Practice Assignment - 40% | ||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 60% | ||||
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 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 9 - 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
- Endnote
- Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop
- Micorsoft word
- CQUniveristy Library Resources
- CQU Library hosted Literature Databases
- Zoom access
- CQU library search
- Australian Standards (through CQU library)
- CQU library search tools
- Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
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.
a.j.hall@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Ethical, Legal, and Professional Practice Concepts
Welcome to the Unit. and self-directed learning
Professional practice concepts
Chapter
Complete the readings and activities as outlined on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Activity – Access the General Discussion page and introduce yourself to your colleagues by providing your name and workplace and some information about yourself.
Assessments 1 and 2 - Review the assessment tasks and make a study plan.
Foundations of Academic Integrity Program - complete your annual program.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Set-up your CQU student emails so you receive current, up-to-date information.
Module/Topic
Psychosocial, Ethical, and Legal Considerations in Nursing
Chapter
Complete the readings and activities as outlined on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates and check your CQU student emails.
Access the library to prepare for Assessment 1
Review Moodle and Academic Learning Centre information
Module/Topic
Clinical Decisions and Clinical Decision Making
Chapter
Complete the readings and activities as outlined on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Census Date is next week. If you are struggling, please contact your Unit Coordinator for help.
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.
Module/Topic
Reflective Practice
Chapter
Complete the readings and activities as outlined on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Census Date – Tuesday Week 4
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.
Module/Topic
Professional Development
Chapter
Complete the readings and activities as outlined on Moodle
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
Module/Topic
Professional Identity and Career Planning
Chapter
Complete the readings and activities as outlined on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Reflective Practice Assignment Due: Week 6 Wednesday (15 Apr 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Catch up on assessments and then take a bit of time away from study!
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter
Complete the readings and activities as outlined on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
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.
Module/Topic
Increasing Advanced Nursing Skills
Chapter
Complete the readings and activities as outlined on Moodle
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.
Module/Topic
Coping with Shift Work
Chapter
Complete the readings and activities as outlined on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Module/Topic
Increasing responsibility in the clinical setting (shift work, how to be a preceptor and/or mentor, becoming a team leader, Level 2 positions and higher)
Chapter
Complete the readings and activities as outlined on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Module/Topic
Advancing knowledge and skills to improve your CV
Chapter
Complete the readings and activities as outlined on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
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.
Module/Topic
Advancing knowledge and skills to improve your CV
Chapter
Complete the readings and activities as outlined on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
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.
Congratulations on completing this unit. Don’t forget to check your unit enrolments for next term.
Written Assessment Due: Week 12 Wednesday (3 June 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
As this unit is offered online (or face-to-face or hybrid or blended [NURS20171]), 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 Reflective Practice Assignment
Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to critically reflect on your clinical practice and clinical decision-making to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of ethical, legal, and professional practice concepts through written reflection.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
1. 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.
2. The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
a. Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
b. Checking spelling and grammar.
c. CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
3. Any use of Gen AI software:
a. Must be cited in the relevant sections.
b. Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions
Available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period applies to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
· You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
· In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted
in this unit.
Week 6 Wednesday (15 Apr 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit your assessment via the unit Moodle site in Microsoft Word format only. 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 • Email tasac@cqu.edu.au
Week 8 Wednesday (6 May 2026)
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.
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Demonstrate application of ethical, legal and professional practice concepts to the continued development of your professional identity.
- Analyse and apply psychosocial, ethical and legal considerations in clinical decision-making.
- Demonstrate advanced clinical skills in the evaluation and implementation of evidence-based nursing interventions in diverse clinical settings.
- Critically reflect on the application of your nursing knowledge, and ethical, legal and professional practice and identify strengths and areas for professional development.
2 Written Assessment
Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to critically appraise and demonstrate how you are improving your clinical knowledge, decision-making, and professional practice to develop your confidence, competence, and further your career using the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Registered nurse standards for practice (2016).
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
1. 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.
2. The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
a. Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
b. Checking spelling and grammar.
c. CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
3. Any use of Gen AI software:
a. Must be cited in the relevant sections.
b. Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions
Available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period applies to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
· You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
· In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted
in this unit.
Week 12 Wednesday (3 June 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit your assessment via the unit Moodle site in Microsoft Word format only
Vacation/Exam Week Wednesday (17 June 2026)
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.
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Demonstrate application of ethical, legal and professional practice concepts to the continued development of your professional identity.
- Analyse and apply psychosocial, ethical and legal considerations in clinical decision-making.
- Demonstrate advanced clinical skills in the evaluation and implementation of evidence-based nursing interventions in diverse clinical settings.
- Critically reflect on the application of your nursing knowledge, and ethical, legal and professional practice and identify strengths and areas for professional development.
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?
