This course will provide an opportunity for students to apply the professional practice concepts and foundational nursing knowledge and skills learned in simulated practice. Students will have the opportunity to develop skills in providing client-centred nursing care across a range of healthcare settings. These skills will enable students to understand the role of the registered nurse and be prepared for future practice.
This is the first of 6 Clinical Placement courses.
This course will provide an opportunity to learn the professional practice concepts, and foundational nursing knowledge and skills that ensure safe practice when caring for clients. In this course students will undertake 80 hours of supervised clinical experience. Students will apply a person-centred and evidence informed approach to interventions including clinical assessment, assistance with activities of daily living, and therapeutic and professional communication learnt in simulated practice. The educational focus of semester 1 is on learning the context of nursing, health and healthcare and acquiring safe foundation nursing skills. There is a focus on clinical assessment, communication and professional responsibilities.
Clinical Nursing Practice 1 requires the completion of a minimum of 80 hours of clinical placement, spanning morning, afternoon, and night shifts, including weekends and public holidays. Given the importance of clinical placement, students are expected to prioritise these commitments over personal travel or holiday plans. Students are required to demonstrate ongoing progress and competency during clinical placements throughout the semester. Those needing additional support will receive guidance to enhance their skills. In cases where performance falls below expected standards, a tailored learning plan will be developed by the Practice Educator/Clinical Supervisor in consultation with the Course Coordinator. If concerns about a student's fitness to practice arise, withdrawal from the placement may be considered at the discretion of the Program Lead in consultation with the Head of School.
It is crucial for students to recognise that their conduct, including professional presentation, communication, and behaviour during clinical placements reflects the professionalism of the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work at The University of Queensland. Therefore, it is essential for students to adhere to the Clinical Placement Guidelines, Attendance and Absence Procedures, mobile phone and personal devices policy, uniform policy, social media guideline, and work within course scope of practice throughout the program.
We recommend completing the following courses at the same time:
BIOM1060, NURS1101, NURS1102
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
NURS1004
2241 - Bachelor of Nursing
If you require a face to face or zoom meeting please email me for an appointment.ﾠ
CBL teaching: Tuesdayﾠroom 5 weeks 1-6
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Students are required to attend the introduction lecture in person or review the lecture recording after it has been uploaded onto the NURS1103 Blackboard site. An accompanying revision quiz is a mandatory pre-placement requirement and is used to confirm your understanding of the course requirements, expectations, and assessments needed to pass this course.
This course aims to develop skills in individualising nursing care for people across the lifespan.ﾠﾠ
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate at novice level, competent nursing care that is evidence informed, safe and compassionate.
LO2.
Utilise evidence-based information to develop and demonstrate competent clinical skills in a simulated and practice environment, at novice level.
LO3.
Conduct and document accurate clinical assessment and evaluate findings at beginning practitioner level including but not limited to vital signs, pain experience, urinalysis.
LO4.
Implement and reflect on culturally responsive nursing care for individuals and families.
LO5.
Apply infection control principles consistently and effectively for safe practice.
LO6.
Select and utilize appropriate workplace health and safety principles by implementing risk control strategies including safe manual handling and adhering to clinical policies and procedures.
LO7.
Use effective written, verbal, non-verbal, and digital communication strategies during interactions with individuals, families and members of the healthcare team.
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Inspera Quiz
|
Pass/Fail |
30/03/2026 - 2/04/2026
This quiz will be open 9am on the 30/03/2026 and close at 1pm on the 02/04/2026. |
| Placement |
Clinical Placement
|
Pass/Fail |
Due dates are dependent on allocated placement. |
| Role play/ Simulation |
Objective Structured Clinical Assessment (OSCA)
|
Pass/Fail |
End of Semester Exam Period 6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
30/03/2026 - 2/04/2026
This quiz will be open 9am on the 30/03/2026 and close at 1pm on the 02/04/2026.
Students are to refer to the course Blackboard site Assessment tab for additional details.
Requirements (Laptop)
• For this quiz you will require a laptop that meets the device requirements for Inspera assessments.
• If you do not own a suitable laptop, you can borrow one from the library. Find more information about using Inspera Assessment from the Library website.
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Applying for an extension
Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved.
Information about applying for an extension can be found on my.UQ .
Extension guidelines
Outcome of application
Extension requests are generally processed within 2 working days. Students can see the outcome of their application by logging in to my.UQ.
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Please note for pass/fail assessment there is no daily loss of marks. An assessment that is submitted late without an extension or not submitted will be awarded a fail grade. Students must pass this assessment item in order to be eligible to pass this course.
Due dates are dependent on allocated placement.
An expectation of this course is satisfactorily meeting the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Registered Nurse Standards for Practice while practicing under the course scope of Practice. This assessment requires students to demonstrate successful completion of 80 hours of clinical placement. Demonstrated capability in clinical practice commensurate with the NURS1103 Course Learning Objectives evidenced by successful completion and submission of the Formative and Summative assessment items need to be completed with successful Summative Australian Nursing Standards Assessment Tool (ANSAT).
Part A: Formative Assessment
1. Placement Readiness Plan
Within the first 2 days of clinical placement, you will develop a Placement Readiness Plan. The overall aim of the plan is to support you to develop agency in your learning and consider how to integrate learning and feedback between different contexts.
2. Clinical Skills Assessment
Within the first half of your clinical placement (prior to your Formative ANSAT) you will select one clinical skill to demonstrate to your Buddy RN or Clinical Facilitator:
3. ANSAT Self-Evaluation
Immediately prior to undertaking your Formative ANSAT you will self-evaluate your performance against the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice. The aim of this task is to support your ability to evaluate your own performance through making comparisons of your work to that of your peers, supervisors and to the descriptions in the rubric.
4. Formative ANSAT
Must be completed and submitted via ePAD at the mid-point of placement (after approx.40 hours of placement):
• Must be signed by Buddy RN/Preceptor or PPE/Clinical Supervisor.
• All sections must be completed (scores and comments).
• Students must receive a score of 3 or above on every criterion to meet the expected level of performance.
Please note: Submitting the Formative ANSAT mid-placement will that ensure students who have not yet met the expected level of performance (scores of 3 and above) can be assisted with a Learning Support Plan through to the end of placement.
5. Feedback and Action Plan
Immediately following your Formative ANSAT you will reflect on the feedback you have received and identify areas for improvement (completed via ePAD). The purpose of this task is to assess your capacity for self-reflection and ability to process feedback from various sources, to deeply engage with your level of knowledge and professional skills.
Part B - Summative Assessment
Must be completed on your last or second-to-last shift and submitted via ePAD by the end of placement:
Students are to refer to the assessment task sheet located on the NURS1103 Blackboard site for additional details.
Students are to submit all parts of the Formative Assessment and Summative Assessment via ePAD.
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Please note for pass/fail assessment there is no daily loss of marks. Failure to complete the required hours of placement will result in a fail grade for the course.
End of Semester Exam Period
6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026
The Objective Structured Clinical Assessment (OSCA) will assess the application of foundational nursing skills: vital signs and handover. The OSCAs will be conducted in the CBL rooms at the Mater Whitty Building during the examination period. The OSCA case scenario will be made available to students via the course Blackboard site during study week and prior to the OSCA date.
Students are to refer to the course Blackboard site Assessment tab for additional details.
The OSCA is assessed within the simulation space. Students must attend their allocated OCSA and present in accordance with the UQ NMWS uniform policy to be permitted to undertake the OSCA.
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
A student who is not able to sit for the OSCA on the scheduled day/time because of extenuating circumstances will need to contact the course coordinator by email and attach documentary evidence such as a medical certificate. If approved, the revised date/time of the OSCA will be communicated to the student by the Course Coordinator by email.
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Pass/Fails | Description |
|---|---|
| P |
Course grade description: The summative assessment items in this course are Pass/Fail. Students who demonstrate competence in applying knowledge in nursing practice and successfully complete all their assessment items will be awarded a Pass. All items of assessment must be completed, submitted and passed by the student in order to pass this course. |
| F |
Course grade description: The summative assessment items in this course are Pass/Fail. Students who do not demonstrate competence in applying knowledge in nursing practice and do not successfully complete all their assessment items will be awarded a Fail. - Unable to demonstrate competence in applying knowledge in Nursing practice. - Does not adhere to expected scope of practice. An example of this would be when a student undertakes medication preparation, dispensing or administration without direct supervision of Registered Nurse. - Does not complete the clinical hours required in this course within the designated, rostered period. - Does not complete, submit and pass all items of assessment in this course. - Does not meet the terms of the Learning Support Plan. |
Completion of Assessments: To pass this subject student must meet the attendance requirements, submit all pieces of work by the assigned due dates, and achieve a pass grade on all assessments (inclusive of a satisfactory grade for clinical placement).
Consequences: Failure to meet this requirement can result in the student not being assigned a clinical placement and therefore not being eligible to pass the subject
Academic Integrity and Generative AI
Submitting work that has previously been assessed, either partially or in its entirety, by a student for another course is a violation of Academic Integrity Standardsﾠ
The use of AI sources for any assessment item in this course is strictly prohibited. If AI is found to have been utilised in an assessment item for this course, it will be reported to the Academic Integrity committee for further investigation.
Supplementary assessment is not available for this course.
ﾠ
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Laptop:
For this course you will require a laptop that meets the device requirements for Inspera assessments. It is important that you check that your laptop meets the device requirements for using the Inspera Assessment platform. If you do not own a suitable laptop, you canﾠborrow one from the Library. Find more information about using Inspera Assessment from the Library websiteﾠGet familiar with Inspera, whichﾠprovidesﾠthe latest information for students about using Inspera.
Students will be provided with free access to Med+Safe online platform to practice and develop skills in medication administration and safety.
Students are provided with a UQ email account and must monitor the account regularly (daily) whilst enrolled at UQ. Please see the Information Communication Technology Policy and the Personal use of UQ email section in the Acceptable use of ICT Resources guideline for information regarding the appropriate use of email.
Students must use their UQ email account for all correspondence with academic staff.
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Not scheduled |
Not Timetabled |
Mandatory compliance Students are responsible for ensuring all pre-placement mandatory requirements are completed and uploaded by the specified deadlines. For 2026 placements, all compliance requirements communicated by the HMBS Placement Ready Team must be uploaded by 9/03/2026. Meeting this submission date allows your clinical placement to be released, provided you are fully compliant. The final compliance deadline for NURS1103 is 30/03/2026 at 1300 hours. Students who have not met all mandatory requirements by this deadline will not be eligible for clinical placement. No further placement allocations will be made after this date. Students who do not meet the final compliance deadline are advised to withdraw from the course before the financial and academic census date. |
Multiple weeks |
Workshop |
Safe Patient Handling Safe patient handling promotes the use of mechanical lifting aids and other types of equipment for use when moving, transferring or handling patients. This is a compulsory workshop for all students and must be attended. These sessions need to be booked via InPlace. There is a preparatory self-directed learning module that is available on Blackboard. These workshops are only available on the 10/2, 11/2, 12/2, 19/2, 20/2, 23/2 and 25/2. Manual handling training sessions are provided by the School. Attendance is mandatory. Students who do not attend the scheduled session will be required to source and pay for external manual handling training at their own expense. Please note that failure to complete manual handling training will result in ineligibility for clinical placement. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L06 |
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 6 |
Practical |
Practical (PRAC) Practical (PRAC) Learning is located at the Mater Whitty Building at the Mater Hospital South Brisbane Campus. These sessions are compulsory and will run in weeks 1-6 and week 11 or 13. (depending on your placement dates). All pre-readings and preparatory work will be available from your NURS1103 Blackboard site. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 1 (23 Feb - 01 Mar) |
Lecture |
Introduction Lecture NURS1103 26/2/2026 - This lecture is an introduction to NURS1103. You will be introduced to what Practical (PRAC) Learning means, uniform, expectations in class and placement. Assessment requirements will also be discussed. Students are required to attend the introduction lecture in Week 1 or review the recording posted into Blackboard. An accompanying revision quiz is a mandatory pre-placement requirement and is used to confirm your understanding of the course requirements, expectations, and assessments needed to pass this course. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L06, L07 |
Week 5 (23 Mar - 29 Mar) |
Lecture |
Preparation for practice 26/3/2026 - This lecture is focused on preparation for your upcoming clinical placement. It will provide further details on your assessment on placement, behavioural expectations, dealing with shift work, uniform requirements and some general tips and good advice on what to expect on placement. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Practical (PRAC) Learning Session Participation
Practical (PRAC) sessions allows for the development of clinical skills and evidence-based practice.
Absenteeism from PRAC
Students who miss PRAC sessions due to exceptional circumstances, such as illness, injury, or participation in elite athlete programs, will be unable to achieve the required scope of practice and may fail the course. In the event of multiple absences from PRAC classes, missing 20% or more of PRAC sessions (2 or more PRAC's) will result in an inability to meet the course objectives and the safe scope of practice required for clinical placement. Such students will receive a failing grade for the course. We strongly encourage students enrolling in this course to consider their ability to meet the requirements. If unable to do so, it is advisable to seek academic advice and consider withdrawing from the course before the census date. Students who miss a PRAC session must notify the Course Coordinator as soon as possible. Students must follow-up by emailing a completed Absenteeism Form (available on the course Blackboard site) and supporting evidence, i.e. medical certificate / statutory declaration, within 48 hours of the missed CBL class. Please refer to my.UQ for a list of the acceptable reasons for absence from class.
Makeup for absence from PRAC
Absence from a PRAC session will require the student to attend a makeup PRAC session. Upon receipt of the appropriate documentation you will be notified by the Course Coordinator of a time and location for your make-up PRAC.
Face to Face Lecture series
It is an expectation of the course that students will attempt to attend all lecture sessions. However, when students are unable to attend lectures, they are recorded for student reference. Lecture sessions provide the opportunity for students to engage with fellow students and engage in the lecture series.
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:
Attendance at all rostered clinical placement shifts is compulsory. If you are unable to attend, it is the student's responsibility to inform the Practice Educator / Clinical Facilitator and staff at the clinical placement site as soon as possible. Refer to the 2026 Clinical Placement Guidelines and Attendance and Absence Procedure for instructions if you are unable to attend placement.
COURSE GUIDELINES
Clinical Placement
Students are expected to complete 100% of their allocated placement hours to meet the course learning outcomes and be eligible for a pass.
Clinical placements must be completed within the rostered timeframe advised by the Practice Education Team. Clinical placements may occur during public holidays as well as during the Mid-Semester Break (please refer to your allocated roster from the Practice Education Team).
Students will be required to participate in hospital/corporate mandatory credentialling and other relevant learning opportunities including online modules. Some clinical placement sites will also require student attendance at orientation sessions. Please refer to the Nursing & Midwifery Practice Education (Clinical Placements) Blackboard site.
It is an inherent requirement of the Bachelor of Nursing degree to complete supernumerary professional placements in a range of clinical areas over the duration of the degree. Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes. The Inherent Requirements Student Placement Declaration form must be completed on enrolment to the course when preferencing or completing attendance placement documentation in InPlace. Should a student’s circumstances change throughout the course of the semester, students are advised to contact the course coordinator to discuss the implications of these changes for your clinical placement.
Compliance Statement
Students are responsible for meeting all pre-placement mandatory requirements before the due date, which will be communicated to you by the Practice Education Team. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in no clinical placement allocation. Students who receive written notification of failure to comply with pre-placement and mandatory requirements will be given a short timeframe to address these. If students do not meet the final compliance deadlines they will no longer be eligible to undertaken clinical placement and no further clinical placement allocation will occur. In these instances students are advised to withdraw from the course before the census date.
Absenteeism from Clinical Placement
Clinical placement shifts are compulsory components of the Nursing program. On the occasion that you are unable to attend clinical placements due to exceptional circumstances, you must follow the instructions outlined in the Attendance and Absence procedure and Clinical Placement Guidelines available on the Nursing & Midwifery Practice Education (Clinical Placements) Blackboard site. It is your responsibility to notify your Practice Educator/ Clinical Facilitator and ward prior to shift start time, enter the absence into e-Pad and provide evidence of absences no more than 48 hours after absence.
All students must complete a minimum of 80% of the course's allocated clinical placement hours in order to be eligible to pass the clinical course. In the event that the 80% of placement completion is not achieved, additional (deferred) hours of clinical placement may be offered to enable you to meet course requirements, however this is dependent upon individual circumstances and placement availability. You must provide your absences documents to be offered deferred placement hours. If you require an extended period of time off placement, we advise you contact the Practice Education Team to discuss your circumstances and options.
*Please note AHPRA require a minimum of 800 hours of clinical placement to be achieved in order to register. If a student only attends 80% of each clinical placement these minimum requirements will not be achieved.
Reminder:
Scope of Practice
Students must adhere to the course Scope of Practice at all times while on clinical placement. This requirement addresses patient safety and students will be removed from placement or risk failing the course if working outside their scope. Please refer to the guidelines in the Nursing & Midwifery Practice Education (Clinical Placements) Blackboard site.
Unsafe practice during clinical placement
A decision of unsafe clinical performance is made when a student's performance places a patient/client, a patient’s/clients’ family, staff members, themselves, or fellow students at risk. If a student practices in a way that is deemed unsafe or breaches the relevant scope of practice during their clinical placement they will be asked to leave the placement facility and the placement will be temporarily suspended. The course coordinator will contact the student to arrange a meeting to discuss the incident, investigate with the facility if required and then an outcome will be made. Unsafe practice during clinical placement may lead to a Learning Support Plan, immediate removal from the clinical placement, or termination of the placement. This could result in a failing grade in the course.
Professional manner during professional placement
Students must always conduct themselves professionally during professional placement. If a student practices unprofessional behaviour during their clinical placement they will be asked to leave the placement facility, and the placement will be temporarily suspended. The course coordinator will contact the student to arrange a meeting to discuss the incident, investigate with the facility if required and then an outcome will be made. Unprofessional behaviour during clinical placement may lead to a Learning Support Plan, immediate removal from the clinical placement, or termination of the placement. This could result in a failing grade in the course.
Social Media
Students are prohibited from posting any images of patients, clinical venues, or clinical documentation on social media. Students should also refrain from making comments related to clinical placement, UQ, or clinical venues that may violate University or institutional policies or guidelines or bring UQ into disrepute. If a student has been reported to be involved in a social media incident during their clinical placement they will be asked to leave the placement facility and the placement will be temporarily suspended. The course coordinator will contact the student to arrange a meeting to discuss the incident, investigate with the facility if required and then an outcome will be made. Inappropriate use of social media may lead to a Learning Support Plan, immediate removal from the clinical placement, or termination of the placement. This could result in a failing grade in the course.