Clinical Nursing Practice 2 (NURS1205)

Course overview

Students will undertake supervised clinical experience. There is an equal emphasis on practice elements and theoretical understanding, therefore the scheduling of learning activities enables clinical placement shifts to be interspersed with on campus classes including simulated clinical skills development, workshops and lectures. In this course, students are exposed to increasingly complex professional practice concepts which are initially learnt in a controlled environment of the classroom and then translated under direct Registered Nurse supervision in the clinical practice setting. Students will apply a person-centred and evidence informed approach to interventions including medication administration; cardiovascular and respiratory health assessment; wound care principles and practice; documentation and legal and ethical practices in healthcare delivery. Clinical Practice 2 further develops the beginning level clinical decision making knowledge and skills introduced in previous courses. Students will extend the existing scope of practice informed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia(NMBA) Registered Nurse Standards for Practice.

Students will undertake a minimum of 160 hours of supervised clinical placement, spanning morning, afternoon, and night shifts, including weekends and public holidays. There is an equal emphasis on practice elements and theoretical understanding, therefore the scheduling of learning activities enables clinical placement shifts to be interspersed with on campus classes including simulated clinical skills development, workshops and lectures. In this mode, students are exposed to increasingly complex professional practice concepts which are initially learnt in a controlled environment of the classroom and then translated under direct Registered Nurse supervision in the clinical practice setting. Students will apply a person-centred and evidence informed approach to interventions including medication administration; cardiovascular and respiratory health assessment; wound care principles and practice; documentation and legal and ethical practices in healthcare delivery. Clinical Practice 2 further develops the beginning level clinical decision making knowledge and skills introduced in previous courses. Students will extend the existing scope of practice informed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Registered Nurse Standards for Practice.

Given the importance of clinical placement, students are expected to prioritise placement commitments over personal travel or holiday plans. Students are required to demonstrate ongoing progress and consistency in competence during clinical placements throughout the semester to meet ANSAT requirements. As a part of the learning experience, students will be provided with feedback and guidance throughout the clinical placement. In cases where performance falls below expected standards, a tailored Learning Support Plan will be implemented by the Practice Educator/Clinical Supervisor in consultation with the Course Coordinator. Learning plans are designed to target specific areas of underperformance to help students meet course requirements and achieve ANSAT requirements.

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 guideline, attendance and absence procedures, mobile phone and personal devices policy, uniform policy, social media policy and work within course scope of practice throughout the program.

Course requirements

Assumed background

It is assumed that students taking this course have successfully completed all pre-requisite courses in year one or have been granted credit for these courses. Students will be required to be competent in the skills learned in prerequisite courses in order to advance their practice.

Mandatory Preparation is the responsibility of the student and must be completed prior to commencing Clinical Placement according to the due date /anniversary renewal date.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

NURS1103 or MIDW1103 or MIDW1203

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

NURS1105

Restrictions

BN/BMid

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Students are strongly advised to attend theﾠlectures for this course. These sessions will provide valuable opportunity to discuss the course requirements and assessment items as well as assist in developing your critical reasoning skills and employability.

Aims and outcomes

The aim of this course is to provide an opportunity to apply the professional practice concepts, clinical decision making and foundational nursing knowledge and skills on learning in the context of nursing, health and healthcare delivery.

Assessment

Assessment summary

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.

Assessment details

Medication Calculation Exam

• Hurdle
• In-person
• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

Pass/Fail

Due date

30/07/2025

Pre-placement e.g. week 1 start of week (Wednesday) resit (Thurs/Fri). Please refer to the public timetable for times and location.

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

The Med+Safe completion certificate and student ID must be shown to the invigilator and marked off the student list before leaving the exam venue. Students must submit the Med+Safe completion certificate to blackboard within 24 hours of the examination.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

Late submission

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. Assessment that is submitted late is given zero marks.

Clinical Placement

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Placement

Weight

Pass/Fail

Due date

Due dates are dependent on allocated placement.

Other conditions

Work integrated learning.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

All items of assessment are submitted via MyProgress (ePAD) during placement via the tabs in the student ePAD portal.

Timesheets:

The Clinical Practicum Timesheet must be signed off by the student's Registered Nurse Preceptor / UQ Practice Educator, every shift via a declaration in MyProgress ePAD. 

• All attendances and absences must be recorded within ePAD.
• All ANSAT documents must be officially completed within ePAD for submission.
• Falsification of documentation (e.g. ePAD, medical records) will be deemed a serious breach of scope of practice and the UQ Student Code of Conduct resulting in immediate withdrawal from placement and a fail grade awarded.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

Late submission

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. Assessment that is submitted late is given zero marks.

OSCA - Preparing and Administering an Injection

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Examination, Role play/ Simulation

Weight

Pass/Fail

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025

The OSCA's will be held during the Semester 2, 2025 Examination period. The course coordinator will provide the exact schedule closer to the date of this assessment.

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L03, L04, L05, L07

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

The OSCA is assessed within the simulation space at the Mater Whitty Building. Students must attend their allocated OSCA and present in accordance with the UQ NMSW uniform policy to be permitted to undertake the assessment.

Deferral or extension

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.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Completion of Assessments

To pass this course students must meet the attendance requirements, complete all assessment items by the assigned due dates, and achieve a pass grade on all summative assessments (inclusive of a satisfactory grade for the Summative ANSAT).

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in this course.

If the only assessment that you fail is the OSCA, then you are eligible for a supplementary assessment.

Learning resources

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.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Students will be provided with free access to an online platform to practice and develop safety in medication administration.

Students will need to register and complete the Hand hygiene module and Mental Health First Aid module as per task sheet instructions.

Student Email

Students are provided with a UQ email account and must monitor the account 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.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Additional learning activity information

Clinical Based Learning (CBL) Participation

CBL (Case-Based Learning) allows for the development of clinical skills and evidence-based practice.

• Preparation for each session is required so students understand the clinical theory and principles that support the practical components of clinical practice. Prior to attending CBL, students should complete the assigned readings, engage in course learning activities, including self-directed modules, and reflect on clinical practice.
• Each session is structured to support student learning and master the clinical skills required to provide care in the clinical settings. Students must actively participate in skills practice, discussions, and identification of learning needs, while receiving feedback from CBL Lecturers and peers.
• Attendance is mandatory for all CBL sessions.

Absenteeism from CBL

Students who miss CBL 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 CBL classes, missing 20% or more of CBL sessions (2 or more CBLs) 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 CBL 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 CBL

Absence from a CBL session will require the student to attend a makeup CBL session. Upon receipt of the appropriate documentation you will be notified by the Course Coordinator of a time and location for your make-up CBL. 

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.

Policies and procedures

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:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure

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:

• Working with Children Policy
• Fitness to Practise Policy
• Vaccinations and Immunisation Procedure
• Work Integrated Learning and Work Experience Policy

Course guidelines

• Inherent requirements for nursing and midwifery programs
• Pre-placement Mandatory Requirements as outlined on the following web page: https://habs.uq.edu.au/prepare-your-nursing-and-midwifery-placement. · School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Assessment Guidelines
• Please visit the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work website for information about assessment. · my.UQ, Examinations and Assessment: https://my.uq.edu.au/services/exams-and-assessment.

Students must comply with the following documents in the Nursing & Midwifery Practice Education (Clinical Placements) Blackboard site:

• 2025 Clinical Placement Guidelines
• InPlace guide, mandatory preparation requirements and Scope of Practice Documents.
• Uniform Policy
• Attendance and Absence Procedure
• Mobile Phone and Personal Devices Policy · Social media guideline: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Social media: How to meet your obligations under the National Law.
• MyProgress e-Pad student guide
• Incident reporting

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 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 Bachelor of 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 InPlace guide - please see the document in Nursing & Midwifery Practice Education (Clinical Placements) Blackboard site. You must also ensure you notify your ward, Practice Educator and Clinical Course Coordinator of your absence. 

Please note:

• Students are not authorised to arrange their own shifts
• Deferred clinical placements may be scheduled out of semester. A deferred clinical placement, like a deferred examination, is the final offering for student to completed clinical placement requirements to meet the course outcomes and be eligible to pass.
• Students are not able to defer, a deferred placement offering.
• If there is a clash with a scheduled clinical placement shift and an exam, students are to contact the Practice Education Team and the relevant subject coordinator immediately to discuss arrangements.

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/client's family, staff members, themselves, or fellow students at risk. If students practice 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 and a fail grade will be awarded for the course.

Professional manner during professional placement:

Students must always conduct themselves professionally during professional placement. Unprofessional behaviour may lead to a learning support plan, immediate removal from the clinical placement, or termination of the placement. This could result in non-academic misconduct and a failing grade in the associated subject.

Scope of Practice

Students must adhere to the NURS1205 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.

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.