NURS20162 - Clinical Nursing Practice

Showing: 2026 HE Term 3
General Information

Unit Synopsis

This unit will provide advanced knowledge and skills in nursing assessment and care planning. You will learn how to apply a clinical reasoning process and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessment model in order to prioritise and perform holistic nursing care for individuals, families and groups. You will critically examine common risk screening tools and clinical pathways used in practice, to organise and perform safe and effective nursing care. You will evaluate early warning systems and health assessment instruments through evidence-based research and by analysing practice and policy documents. You will consider best practice implications for medication administration, wound care and contemporary nursing psychomotor skills. There are online workshops you will be required to attend. There is a compulsory on campus activity you will have to attend. You will also undertake 160 hours of work-integrated learning which you will undertake after week 12. This will allow you to demonstrate responsible nursing practice under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.

Details

Level Postgraduate
Unit Level 8
Credit Points 12
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 1
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.25
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Co-requisites - NURS20161 and NURS20160

Students must be enrolled in CH79 Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-Entry)

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

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Residential School Compulsory Residential School
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Unit Availabilities from Term 1 - 2027

Term 1 - 2027 Profile
Mixed Mode
Term 2 - 2027 Profile
Mixed Mode

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).

Assessment Overview

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.

Assessment Tasks

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.

Past Exams

Previous Feedback

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.

Source: Student feedback
Feedback:
Implementation of a countdown timer to advise students of how many minutes remaining the Safety in Practice assessment.

Recommendation:
Implement an electronic timer on smart board to assist students with time management in Safety in Practice assessment.

Action Taken:
Implemented a 5-minute timer (smart board unavailable).
Source: Student feedback
Feedback:
I would appreciate a chat group set up for students at the beginning of every term

Recommendation:
Explore the implementation of a chat group set up by the Unit Coordinator each term.

Action Taken:
Teams chat group established.
Source: Student feedback
Feedback:
The feedback I received was honest and timely.

Recommendation:
Continue prioritising authentic and timely feedback for students.

Action Taken:
Continue prioritising authentic and timely feedback for students.
Source: email
Feedback:
I am really enjoying the materials and scenarios in 162 and the deep thinking required. It is helping to shape what I want to eventually do when I come back to nursing. Thinking in medical terminology takes time. Not to mention helping me to think differently. So thanks!

Recommendation:
Continue to provide intellectually stimulating and reflective learning materials that encourage deep thinking and personal growth. Student feedback indicates that the content not only supports academic development but also inspires students to reflect on their future roles in nursing. Maintaining this level of engagement through thoughtfully designed content can further enhance student motivation, critical thinking, and career clarity. Consider exploring additional opportunities to integrate reflective practice into the curriculum to support this positive trajectory.

Action Taken:
In Progress
Source: Feedback form
Feedback:
I would like the safety assessment online, not in person.

Recommendation:
Consider offering the assessment online.

Action Taken:
In Progress
Unit Learning Outcomes
This information will not be available until 8 weeks before term.
To see Learning Outcomes from an earlier availability, please search via a previous term.