Overview
As a student and registered nurse, you will be confronted by legally complex and ethically challenging situations. This unit will help you practice nursing that adheres to legislation and professional standards. In this unit you will analyse legislation, organisational requirements that govern nursing practice and apply ethical principles in your decision making as your practice transitions from student to registered nurse. The transition from university to clinical practice is both exciting and challenging. This unit will assist you to prepare for the transition from student to graduate registered nurse. The power differentials and tensions that can exist within healthcare organisations will be explored, including how knowledge of governance systems can support the graduate registered nurse to provide safe patient care within these systems. Additionally, you will prepare for your role transition from student to graduate registered nurse by developing strategies for teamwork, workload management, and care prioritisation.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisites: NURS28008: Nursing Foundations
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 - 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.
- Analyse legal and ethical issues relevant to Australian contemporary nursing practice
- Interpret the principles of bioethics and the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights as applied to nursing practice and decision-making
- Translate appropriate legislation, policies, frameworks, codes and guidelines to nursing practice
- Develop skills and strategies to manage the transition from student nurse to a registered nurse
- Explore power differentials that can exist within healthcare organisations and the tensions that may arise from these
Content in this unit incorporates a number of professional nursing requirements
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
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
Teaching, supervising and assessing
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
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
Organisation’s service environment
Feedback and complaints
Human resources
Organisation governance
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 40% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 60% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 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)
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.
r.batterbee@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Unit Introduction and Overview
Chapter
Review the Moodle site and click on all the links.
Please read articles in Week 1 reading list
Review the "Ethical Toolbox"
Activities as outlined in Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded Presentations
Welcome & Unit Introduction
What is Bioethics?
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.
Tutorial
Please ensure you have completed the weekly content, read the relevant chapter, and reviewed the PowerPoint before attending this session.
This session is a discussion and Q&A related to the content required to address the learning outcomes of this unit.
Drop in Session
Please join the drop-in session if you have any questions or would like to discuss the material further.
Foundations of Academic Integrity Program: Complete your annual program.
Announcements, Discussion Forums Check for posts and updates.
Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 2
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Legal Foundations of Nursing Practice
Chapter
Please read articles in Week 2 reading list
Review activities in Moodle
Review the "Legal Toolbox"
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded Presentations
Ethics Morality & The Law
Assessments
Review assessments and begin an assignment plan
Tutorial
Please ensure you have completed the weekly content, read the relevant chapter, and reviewed the PowerPoint before attending this session.
This session is a discussion and Q&A related to the content required to address the learning outcomes of this unit.
Lecture
An online lecture recording is available for this week.
Week 3
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Applying Ethical Concepts to Nursing
Chapter
Please read articles in Week 3 reading list
Review activities in Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded Presentations
The 4 Principles of Biomedical Ethics
Tutorial
Please ensure you have completed the weekly content, read the relevant chapter, and reviewed the PowerPoint before attending this session.
This session is a discussion and Q&A related to the content required to address the learning outcomes of this unit.
Lecture
An online lecture recording is available for this week.
Drop in Session
Please join the drop-in session if you have any questions or would like to discuss the material further.
Census date is next week. If you are struggling, please contact your Unit Coordinator for help.
Week 4
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Ethical Nursing Practice
Chapter
Please read articles in Week 4 reading list
Review activities in Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Census Date
The census date for Term two is 4/08/2026
Recorded Presentations
Nursing Ethics: Moral Distress in Nursing
Tutorial
Please ensure you have completed the weekly content, read the relevant chapter, and reviewed the PowerPoint before attending this session.
This session is a discussion and Q&A related to the content required to address the learning outcomes of this unit.
Lecture
An online lecture recording is available for this week.
Week 5
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Governance in Nursing Practice
Chapter
Please read articles in Week 5 reading list
Review activities in Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded Presentations
Clinical Governance Explained
Tutorial
Please ensure you have completed the weekly content, read the relevant chapter, and reviewed the PowerPoint before attending this session.
This session is a discussion and Q&A related to the content required to address the learning outcomes of this unit.
Lecture
An online lecture recording is available for this week.
Drop in Session
Please join the drop-in session if you have any questions or would like to discuss the material further.
Week 6
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Accountability and Ethical Power
Chapter
Please read articles in Week 6 reading list
Review activities in Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded Presentations
Let's talk about accountability
Tutorial
Please ensure you have completed the weekly content, read the relevant chapter, and reviewed the PowerPoint before attending this session.
This session is a discussion and Q&A related to the content required to address the learning outcomes of this unit.
Lecture
An online lecture recording is available for this week.
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Vacation week! Relax and enjoy your break.
Chapter
No readings required this week
Events and Submissions/Topic
No events are scheduled this week
Week 7
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Ethical Collaboration
Chapter
Please read articles in Week 7 reading list
Review activities in Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 Due: Written Assessment
Tutorial
Please ensure you have completed the weekly content, read the relevant chapter, and reviewed the PowerPoint before attending this session.
This session is a discussion and Q&A related to the content required to address the learning outcomes of this unit.
Lecture
An online lecture recording is available for this week.
Drop in Session
Please join the drop-in session if you have any questions or would like to discuss the material further.
Written Assessment Due: Week 7 Wednesday (2 Sept 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 8
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Professional Roles
Chapter
Please read articles in Week 8 reading list
Review activities in Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded Presentations
Ethical Collaboration in Healthcare
Tutorial
Please ensure you have completed the weekly content, read the relevant chapter, and reviewed the PowerPoint before attending this session.
This session is a discussion and Q&A related to the content required to address the learning outcomes of this unit.
Lecture
An online lecture recording is available for this week.
Drop in Session
Week 9
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Research Ethics
Chapter
Please read articles in Week 9 reading list
Review activities in Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded Presentation
Why ethics in research?
Tutorial
Please ensure you have completed the weekly content, read the relevant chapter, and reviewed the PowerPoint before attending this session.
This session is a discussion and Q&A related to the content required to address the learning outcomes of this unit.
Lecture
An online lecture recording is available for this week.
Drop in Session
Please join the drop-in session if you have any questions or would like to discuss the material further.
Week 10
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Bearing Witness
Chapter
Please read articles in Week 10 reading list
Review activities in Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded Presentation
“The US Shipment Experiment”
Tutorial
Please ensure you have completed the weekly content, read the relevant chapter, and reviewed the PowerPoint before attending this session.
This session is a discussion and Q&A related to the content required to address the learning outcomes of this unit.
Lecture
An online lecture recording is available for this week.
Don’t forget – check your unit enrolments for next term.
Week 11
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2026Module/Topic
The Ethico-Legal Impact of Technology
Chapter
Please read articles in Week 11 reading list
Review activities in Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded Presentation
The Ethics of Tech
Tutorial
Please ensure you have completed the weekly content, read the relevant chapter, and reviewed the PowerPoint before attending this session.
This session is a discussion and Q&A related to the content required to address the learning outcomes of this unit.
Lecture
An online lecture recording is available for this week.
Drop in Session
Please join the drop-in session if you have any questions or would like to discuss the material further.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation Survey: We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experience in this unit. The survey opens Week 11 and closes one week before release of grades
Week 12
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Unit Summary and Wrap
Chapter
Please read articles in Week 12 reading list
Review activities in Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment One: Final Quiz
Tutorial
Please ensure you have completed the weekly content, read the relevant chapter, and reviewed the PowerPoint before attending this session.
This session is a discussion and Q&A related to the content required to address the learning outcomes of this unit.
Lecture
An online lecture recording is available for this week.
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.
Online Quiz Due: Week 12 Wednesday (7 Oct 2026) 9:00 am AEST
Exam Week
Begin Date: 12 Oct 2026Module/Topic
There is no examination for this unit
Chapter
No readings required this week
Events and Submissions/Topic
No events are scheduled this week
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 19 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Vacation week! Relax and enjoy your break.
Chapter
No readings required this week
Events and Submissions/Topic
No events are scheduled this week
As this unit is offered online, students are asked to prepare their own individual study plan to undertake self-led and self-directed study throughout the term. A key to your success is a strategic self-directed approach to learning and regular contact with your Unit Coordinator/s. Please check the Announcements and Discussion forums at least twice a week – there will be regular announcements about assessments and unit resources throughout the term and reviewing this information is essential to unit knowledge and your success. CQUniversity communicates with students through CQUniversity email. We recommend that you access your CQUniversity email at least twice a week so that you do not miss vital information about your studies.
1 Online Quiz(zes)
You will complete an online quiz to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the Legal and Ethical Principles of Nursing Practice
Instructions: Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity: Quiz questions are drawn from a bank and will be randomised.
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 1: You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
The use of any generative artificial intelligence is not permitted as per Level 1 (No AI) in the AI Assessment scale tool indicators - assessment template
Extensions: Extensions to this assessment are not available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria:
You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
1
Other
Week 12 Wednesday (7 Oct 2026) 9:00 am AEST
The quiz will open at 09:00 hours (AEST) and close at 10:00 hours (AEST)
Week 12 Wednesday (7 Oct 2026)
Quiz results will be available immediately after the attempt is completed
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Analyse legal and ethical issues relevant to Australian contemporary nursing practice
- Interpret the principles of bioethics and the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights as applied to nursing practice and decision-making
- Translate appropriate legislation, policies, frameworks, codes and guidelines to nursing practice
- Develop skills and strategies to manage the transition from student nurse to a registered nurse
- Explore power differentials that can exist within healthcare organisations and the tensions that may arise from these
2 Written Assessment
The aim of this assessment is for you to critically reflect using a structured model on a real clinical placement experience that challenged your ethical, legal, or professional assumptions as a developing registered nurse. You will integrate personal reflection, ethical theory, legislation, professional standards, and evidence-based literature to demonstrate the application of person-centred nursing care in complex healthcare environments.
Instructions: Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity: You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
Gen AI content is used to generate ideas and general structures.
Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
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.
Extensions: Extensions to this assessment are available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria:
You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 7 Wednesday (2 Sept 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Please submit to Moodle in the assessment tile
Week 10 Wednesday (23 Sept 2026)
Students will receive an email when the assessments are returned.
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
- Analyse legal and ethical issues relevant to Australian contemporary nursing practice
- Interpret the principles of bioethics and the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights as applied to nursing practice and decision-making
- Translate appropriate legislation, policies, frameworks, codes and guidelines to nursing practice
- Develop skills and strategies to manage the transition from student nurse to a registered nurse
- Explore power differentials that can exist within healthcare organisations and the tensions that may arise from these
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?
