Overview
In this unit, you will have the opportunity to practice fundamental nursing care in the clinical environments. You will apply the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) registered nurse standards for practice (2016). You will continue to explore the importance of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards (2017) to all nursing practice in Australia and use the Patient Safety Competency Framework (PSCF) (Levett-Jones et al., 2017) in your practice as a nursing student. You will be expected to identify risk and recognise and respond appropriately to the deteriorating 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 four (4) day residential school prior to attending professional experience placement for this unit. This unit includes a 280-hour block professional experience placement in a clinical environment. This must be undertaken in a fulltime capacity. 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 to relocate for placements. Due to the limited availability of placements, some block placements have start and/or end dates that fall outside standard term dates. You must be physically and mentally well and meet the inherent requirements of the course to undertake this unit in the simulated and clinical environment. To be successful in this unit you must pass both assessment items.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisites: NURS28008
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 12-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 25 hours of study per week, making a total of 300 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.
- Apply the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Registered nurse standards for practice in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of people experiencing acute and deteriorating alterations in health in the simulated and clinical environments
- Develop person-centred, evidence-based plans of care for a person experiencing an acute alteration in health
- Demonstrate knowledge and application of safe supply and administration of non-parenteral and parenteral medication
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
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Online Test - 0% | |||
| 2 - Professional Practice Placement - 0% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 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)
- Zoom
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.
m.d.prance@cqu.edu.au
l.jose@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Census date
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Census Date: 31 March 2026
The census date is the deadline to finalise your enrolment for each study period. By then, you need to have added or withdrawn all subjects that you wish to change from your original enrolment.
Your enrolment at the census date will determine your fee liability (the amount you owe for all fees and charges) for that study period.
The census date is also the deadline to:
· Arrange HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP or SA-HELP for that study period,
· Provide your Tax File Number (TFN) to the university, and
· (If you receive Commonwealth financial assistance and are in your first semester of study), provide a verifiable USI to CQUniversity
1: In-class Test – Invigilated Maths and Medication Calculation Quiz (Online Test 0%) Due: 2 weeks prior to term Monday (23 Feb 2026) 10:30 am AEST
Module/Topic
Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice & Placement Preparation
Medication Administration
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.
Refer to Moodle regarding information for medication administration
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.
Module/Topic
Professionalism, Cultural Safety, and Placement Readiness
Blood Product Administration
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom – Tutorial and unit content and assessments
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
Diabetes Management
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom – Tutorial and unit content and assessments
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
Rapid Patient Deterioration
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom – Tutorial and unit content and assessments
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
Pain Management
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom – Tutorial and unit content and assessments
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
Sepsis
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom – Tutorial and unit content and assessments
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
Vacation Week
Chapter
Please use this mid-term break as an opportunity to reset and recover. Enjoy your break
Events and Submissions/Topic
No timetabled learning activities.
Please use this week to progress your
assessments. No timetabled learning activities.
Please use this week to progress your
assessments
Module/Topic
Cardiac Care
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom – Tutorial and unit content and assessments
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
Paediatric Care and Medication Administration
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom – Tutorial and unit content and assessments
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
Refresh Previous Clinical Modules
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom – Tutorial and unit content and assessments
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
Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice & Placement Preparation
Chapter
Review the Moodle site and click on all the links.
Refer to WIL link.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom – Tutorial and unit content and assessments
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
Professionalism, Cultural Safety, and Placement Readiness
Chapter
Refer to Moodle for Placement Readiness
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom – Tutorial and unit content and assessments
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
Wrap up
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom – Tutorial and unit content and assessments
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
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Vacation week
Chapter
Review key dates from the university
Events and Submissions/Topic
Use this time to check your next term's enrollments.
NURS29005 includes a mandatory four-day residential school commencing 23 February 2026. This residential school is held before the commencement of weekly learning and teaching activities for the unit.
The Residential School provides an initial immersive learning experience focused on clinical reasoning, practical skills, and professional judgment through scenario-based simulation in the Simulation Laboratory. All structured weekly learning activities, modules, and teaching occur after the residential school and are designed to build on and extend learning introduced during the on-campus component.
As this unit is delivered online with a completed Residential School component, students are expected to engage in ongoing self-directed learning throughout the term and develop an individual study plan following Residential School to consolidate learning and address identified knowledge and skill gaps highlighted during the Residential School.
Students should check Moodle Announcements and Discussion Forums at least twice weekly and monitor their CQUniversity email at least twice weekly for assessment timelines, unit resources, and essential updates.
Students must attend residential school with appropriate attire and any required documentation as advised.
1 Online Test
This assessment is an invigilated, online quiz conducted on Day 1 of the NURS29005 Residential School. It is a mandatory pass/fail assessment that evaluates your ability to perform mathematical and medication calculations and demonstrate understanding of safe supply and administration of both parenteral and non-parenteral medications. The quiz contains 30 questions randomly selected from a question bank, to be completed within 60 minutes in a single sitting. You may have up to three (3) attempts to achieve 100%, which is required to pass. Students who do not reach 100% after three attempts may not progress to professional experience placement.
You will complete the assessment through Moodle under invigilation conditions at Residential School. Please ensure your CQUniversity login and password are active and that you bring your own device (laptop preferred). Tablets or mobile devices are not recommended due to limited compatibility. If you are unable to bring a device, contact the Unit Coordinator before Residential School. The quiz must be completed without logging out, refreshing, or reloading the browser, as this will automatically submit your attempt. Results will be released immediately upon submission.
Before Residential School, you are expected to complete preparatory activities and review the mathematical and medication safety resources via links available on the NURS29005 Moodle site. You may use approved medication formulas, a basic calculator, pen/pencil, and blank paper during the quiz. The use of mobile phones, smart devices with internet access, or calculator applications is not permitted.
If you experience technical difficulties, immediately notify the supervising staff or Unit Coordinator. Support may be provided onsite or through the Technology and Services Assistance Centre (TASAC) on 1300 666 620.
All students must adhere to CQUniversity’s Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. Collaboration, sharing responses, or using generative artificial intelligence tools during this assessment is prohibited (Level 1: No AI).
To meet the minimum pass criteria, you must:
Achieve 100% in this assessment.
Pass this assessment to progress to your professional experience placement.
Achieve a pass in both assessments within this unit to pass NURS29005 overall.
In line with university policy, no extensions or grace periods apply. Re-attempts are available only within the residential school period, typically on Day 2 or Day 3 if required. Supplementary assessment is not available for Work Integrated Learning units.
Further information, including access to preparatory resources, will be available on the NURS29005 Moodle site.
2 weeks prior to term Monday (23 Feb 2026) 10:30 am AEST
Invigilated Quiz
Once Quiz Completed you will receive immediate results
The quiz consists of 30 questions, each worth 1 mark.
You will have 60 minutes to complete the quiz in a single sitting. The quiz will automatically submit when time expires.
Questions are randomised to provide a unique combination for each attempt.
You may have up to five attempts to achieve a 100% pass grade.
- Demonstrate knowledge and application of safe supply and administration of non-parenteral and parenteral medication.
2 Professional Practice Placement
Assessment 2 Task Description
Over the course of this unit, developing safe, competent, and professional nursing practice requires applying theoretical knowledge to real-world clinical environments. In this assessment, you will undertake a 280-hour Professional Experience Placement where you will demonstrate your ability to provide fundamental nursing care, recognise and respond to patient risk and deterioration, and practice safely within your scope.
Your task in this assessment is to actively participate in clinical settings and complete both Formative and Summative ANSAT assessments to measure your competence against the Australian Nursing Standards Assessment Tool (ANSAT). This assessment allows you to apply knowledge and skills embedded in the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice (2016), NSQHS Standards (2017), and the Patient Safety Competency Framework (2017), with a focus on safe, person-centred, and work-ready nursing practice.
The Formative ANSAT is completed midway through placement (approximately 80 & 160 hours) and provides feedback to support learning, reflection, and improvement. The Summative ANSAT is completed at the end of placement and is used to determine whether you have met the minimum standards to pass this assessment and progress in your nursing program. To be successful, you must achieve a score of 3 or higher on all ANSAT criteria and complete the full 280 hours of placement.
Your performance in this placement will also be evaluated through accurate documentation of clinical hours. You are required to maintain a Record of Attendance, verified by the RN, preceptor, or clinical facilitator for each shift, and submit this record via Moodle within 72 hours of your final placement day.
Please note the following details:
Attendance at professional experience placement is mandatory.
You must complete the full 280 hours of placement to be eligible for a pass.
Formative assessments will provide feedback, and support plans may be implemented if performance is below expected standards.
Summative assessment scores below 3 on any criterion will result in a Fail grade.
Extensions are not available, and the 72-hour grace period does not apply.
Any unsafe practice or breaches of professional standards may result in removal from placement and a Fail grade.
The placement provides the opportunity to demonstrate competence in:
Applying NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice in assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of people experiencing acute and deteriorating health conditions.
Developing person-centred, evidence-based care plans for individuals with acute alterations in health.
Demonstrating safe supply and administration of parenteral and non-parenteral medications.
Resources, instructions, and examples of the ANSAT are available on the WIL Moodle site, and you will receive an email via the WIL team with links to both Formative and Summative ANSAT forms. Students are expected to complete all steps of the ANSAT process, including student self-assessment, engagement in feedback discussions, and submission of the Student Declaration and Signature.
Your final grade will not be finalised until your Record of Attendance and Summative ANSAT are submitted and verified. It is essential that you engage fully in all learning resources, adhere to professional conduct and uniform standards, and uphold academic integrity. The use of AI tools is not permitted for this assessment (Level 1 – No AI).
Please note:
You must pass this assessment to achieve a pass grade for the unit.
Supplementary assessment and re-attempts are not available for Work-Integrated Learning units.
Accurate and timely completion of this assessment demonstrates readiness for professional nursing practice and safe patient care.
Final week of placement
Assessment 2: Professional Experience Placement – Criteria
This assessment evaluates your ability to practice safe, competent, and professional nursing during a 280-hour placement, aligned with NMBA Registered Nurse Standards (2016), NSQHS Standards (2017), and the Patient Safety Competency Framework (2017).
Attendance & Engagement: Complete all 280 hours, attend all shifts, maintain professional conduct and uniform standards, and submit an accurate Record of Attendance within 72 hours of the final placement day.
Formative ANSAT: Complete assessments at ~80 and 160 hours, actively engage in feedback, reflect on performance, and implement support plans if required.
Summative ANSAT: Complete the final ANSAT, achieving a score of 3 or higher on all criteria. Include self-assessment, feedback engagement, and submission of the Student Declaration and Signature. Scores below 3 result in a Fail.
Clinical Competence: Apply nursing standards in assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation, including for acute and deteriorating patients. Develop person-centred, evidence-based care plans, administer medications safely, recognise and respond to patient risk, and practice within your scope.
Professional Conduct & Integrity: Uphold ethical, professional, and academic standards; the use of AI tools is not permitted. Unsafe practice or breaches may lead to removal from placement and a Fail.
Submission & Verification: Ensure all documentation is complete, accurate, and submitted for verification. Final grades are confirmed only after submission and verification of the Summative ANSAT and Record of Attendance.
Pass Requirements: Complete 280 hours, achieve ≥3 on all ANSAT criteria, and meet professional conduct, attendance, and submission standards.
This assessment demonstrates readiness for professional nursing practice and ensures safe, person-centred care.
- Apply the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Registered nurse standards for practice in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of people experiencing acute and deteriorating alterations in health in the simulated and clinical environments
- Develop person-centred, evidence-based plans of care for a person experiencing an acute alteration in health
- Demonstrate knowledge and application of safe supply and administration of non-parenteral and parenteral medication.
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?
