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Course profile

Clinical Nursing Practice 3 (NURS2103)

Study period
Sem 1 2026
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Nursing, Midwifery & Social Wk

Clinical Practice 3 within the Bachelor of Nursing (BN) requires student to complete 120 hours, of supervised clinical experience. Under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse, students will engage with increasingly complex professional practice concepts within various clinical practice settings. The educational focus for Semester 1, Year 2 is on advancing theoretical and clinical knowledge and skills necessary for providing safe, person-centred care across diverse acute and non-acute environments. These environments include inpatient settings, community healthcare, and residential aged care facilities.

The primary aim of this course is to advance your foundational nursing knowledge and skills, equipping you to deliver comprehensive nursing care across diverse acute and sub-acute environments. By engaging in both inpatient and community practice settings, you will deepen your understanding of nursing care delivery and further develop your clinical reasoning abilities. The course emphasises expanding your scope of practice through mandatory Practical (PRAC) sessions, which integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application.

As the third of six clinical practice courses in the Bachelor of Nursing program, NURS2103 continues to prepare you for the dynamic and complex demands of professional nursing practice, ensuring you are capable of meeting the needs of patients in a wide range of healthcare settings.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Students are required to have successfully completed the first year of the UQ Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Nursing / Bachelor of Midwifery courses (or have been granted credit for equivalent).

Mandatory preparation

The student is responsible for fulfilling the preclinical placement requirements within the designated deadline or anniversary renewal date provided before starting the clinical placement. If any mandatory documents are not up to date, students will not be assigned or permitted to participate in the clinical placement, and they will receive a failing grade. Please see the Policies and guidelines section at the end of this profile and the Placement Ready website for information.

Prerequisites

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

NURS1105

Incompatible

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

NURS2004

Restrictions

Bachelor of Nursing

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Tutor

Timetable

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

Additional timetable information

Students are required to attend the online 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.

Aims and outcomes

The aim of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to develop theoretical and clinical knowledge and skills for delivering care in a variety of acute and non-acute environments, including inpatient, community, mental healthᅠand residential aged care settings.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Demonstrate attributes of the registered nurse including professional knowledge, skills, self-awareness, and ethical values to provide nursing care that meets the patients healthcare needs and recognises the individuals preferences.

LO2.

Undertake assessment of the individual experiencing an acute event using accurate data collection and interpretation, documentation of findings and appropriate problem solving and interventions.

LO3.

Demonstrate effective application of the clinical reasoning process to achieve safe and comprehensive care of the individual.

LO4.

Apply knowledge of safe administration of medications and pharmacotherapeutics to inform individual centred care including intravenous fluid and drug management, diabetes management and medication provision.

LO5.

Utilise effective and culturally respectful written, verbal, non-verbal, and digital communication, with individuals, families and the interprofessional team, to ensure optimum health outcomes for the individual.

LO6.

Demonstrate how the principles of person centred and safe care including clinical risk management are applied in an acute care simulated learning environment and in a clinical practice environment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Examination Medication Calculation Exam
  • Hurdle
  • In-person
  • Online
Pass/Fail

23/02/2026 8:00 pm

Role play/ Simulation Objective Clinical Skills Assessment (OSCA)
  • Hurdle
  • In-person
Pass/Fail

12/03/2026 - 13/03/2026

Placement Clinical Placement
  • Hurdle
  • In-person
Pass/Fail

Due dates are dependent on allocated placement.

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

23/02/2026 8:00 pm

Other conditions
Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L03, L04

Task description

This assessment consists of an online medication calculation exam conducted through the Med+Safe eLearning program under invigilated exam conditions on campus.

The exam will assess your ability to safely and accurately perform medication calculations to support the safe administration of medications in clinical settings.

Students are required to bring their own laptop or electronic device with Med+Safe eLearning program access to complete the online exam.

Students are expected to undertake preparatory practice of the Med+Safe assessment prior to the exam. Each assessment draws on a large pool of questions. Each time you attempt the assessment you will receive different questions of a similar style and content.

Students are required to achieve 100% accuracy with unlimited attempts within the exam timeframe. The Med+Safe completion certificate must be witnessed by invigilators during the exam timeframe and submitted to blackboard within 24 hours of the examination.

Students are to refer to the course Blackboard site Assessment tab for additional details. 


Students unable to achieve the Med+Safe completion certificate within the exam timeframe are not permitted to proceed to clinical placement and will be unsuccessful in the course.


Medication administration on clinical placement must occur under direct Registered Nurse supervision. This is an expected scope of practice for all undergraduate students.

Hurdle requirements

Students must successfully pass this assessment to be eligible to pass the course overall. Students must achieve 100% to successfully pass the assessment item. Students unable to achieve a successful result on the assessment will be given a resit opportunity. If a student is unsuccessful in the resit opportunity, the student will receive an unsuccessful grade in the course.

Exam details

Planning time no planning time minutes
Duration 90 minutes
Calculator options

Any calculator permitted

Open/closed book Closed book examination - no written materials permitted
Materials

·       Laptop/electronic device connected to UQ internet

·       One (1) A4 sheet of blank paper

·       Pencil/pen

·       Eraser

·       Student ID/Drivers license 

Exam platform Other
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

The Med+Safe 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 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.

Failure to complete or attend the assessment and submit the Med+Safe completion certificate within 24 hours post examination will result in an unsuccessful grade in the course.

Objective Clinical Skills Assessment (OSCA)

  • Hurdle
  • In-person
Mode
Activity/ Performance
Category
Role play/ Simulation
Weight
Pass/Fail
Due date

12/03/2026 - 13/03/2026

Other conditions
Time limited, Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L04, L06

Task description

The Objective Structured Clinical Assessment (OSCA) provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate theoretical and clinical knowledge and skills in a safe simulated environment.

Students will complete the OSCA during the week 3 Practical (PRAC) session.

The student will be required to demonstrate theoretical and clinical knowledge on the below clinical skills during the OSCA:

  • Hand hygiene
  • Safe management of intravenous lines and fluid administration
  • Documentation


Students are to refer to the course Blackboard site Assessment tab for additional details. 

Students who do not attempt the assessment by the due date are not permitted to proceed/continue with clinical placement and will be unsuccessful in the course.

Hurdle requirements

Students must successfully pass this assessment to be eligible to pass the course overall.

Submission guidelines

Assessment to be completed in the allocated week 3 Practical (PRAC) Learning session.

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.

Clinical Placement

  • Hurdle
  • In-person
Mode
Activity/ Performance
Category
Placement
Weight
Pass/Fail
Due date

Due dates are dependent on allocated placement.

Other conditions
Work integrated learning, Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

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 scope of second year, first semester Bachelor of Nursing student. All students are required to successfully compete 120 hours of clinical placement. 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 two days of clinical placement students will develop a Placement Plan. The Placement Plan will be discussed with your clinical facilitator. 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. Through completing placement plans iteratively, you demonstrate your ability to take initiative to prepare for placement and review previous assessments to identify gaps or challenges that need further work as you progress towards working as a Registered Nurse.

 2. Clinical Skills Assessment

Within the first half of your clinical placement (prior to your Formative ANSAT) you will select three clinical skills to demonstrate to your Buddy RN or Clinical Facilitator. You will choose one from the medication administration clinical skills list, one from the patient assessment clinical skills list, and one from the clinical procedures clinical skills list. You will demonstrate your ability to safely undertake these activities, and request written feedback on your performance. Information on how to complete your Clinical Skills Assessment will be provided to you prior to starting placement.

3. Self-evaluation of Nursing Standards of Practice

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. Through iterative engagement with the standards of practice, you will demonstrate your ability to actively seek and action feedback information and to persist despite the emotional challenges associated with engaging in constructive feedback.

 4. Formative ANSAT

Must be completed and submitted via ePAD at the mid-point of placement (after approx. 120 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 ensure that 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 which will be then discussed with your clinical facilitator. The purpose of this task is to assess capacity for self-reflection and ability to process feedback from various sources, to deeply engage with your level of knowledge and professional skills. Through reviewing your completed Formative ANSAT in ePAD, you will demonstrate your ability for accurate self-evaluation and showcase your proficiency in monitoring professional and clinical development over time, reflect on achievements, and identify areas for further growth.

Part B: Summative Assessment

  1. Summative ANSAT

Must be completed on your last or second-to-last shift and submitted via ePAD by the end 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 pass. (Any scores of 2 or below at this final assessment means that a student has not achieved passing requirements for this course).
  • The completed timesheet must demonstrate all required hours of clinical placement for this course, undertaken within the rostered timeframe as advised by the Clinical Placement Unit.


Students are to refer to the course Blackboard site Assessment tab for additional details. 

Hurdle requirements

Students must successfully pass this assessment to be eligible to pass the course overall. Completing all parts of this assessment and achieving a successful outcome in the summative assessments is required to be eligible to pass the course.

Submission guidelines

Students are to submit all parts of the Formative Assessment and Summative Assessment via ePAD.

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.

Course grading

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

Pass/Fails Description
P

Course grade description: Students must complete, submit and pass each item of assessment in order to successfully complete the course. Students must achieve a minimum score of 3 in every assessment criteria in the Summative ANSAT to successfully complete the course. All assessment items in this course are NGP (non graded pass). 120 hours of clinical placement must be attended within the rostered placement period allocated and the student must demonstrate competence in applying knowledge in nursing practice.

F

Course grade description: Unable to demonstrate competence in applying knowledge in nursing practice at the expected level. Does not adhere to expected scope of practice. Does not complete the clinical hours required in this course within the designated, rostered period. Failure to comply with the NMSW social media policy. Does not complete, submit and pass all items of assessment in this course.

Additional course grading information

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 Standards

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

Supplementary assessment is not available for this course.

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 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.


Learning activities

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

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Multiple weeks
Lecture

Lecture series

There will be an additional 1-hour online lecture every fortnight as per timetable. Further details of each session can be found in learning resources on the Blackboard site for this course.

Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L06

Multiple weeks

From Week 1 To Week 13
(23 Feb - 31 May)

Not Timetabled

Online learning modules

Online learning modules provides students with important information regarding clinical practice and processes linked to the undertaking of this course.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Practical

Practical (PRAC)

Practical (PRAC) Learning sessions are conducted throughout the semester to develop students clinical skills and application of theoretical knowledge. All pre-readings and preparatory work will be available in the course Blackboard site.

These sessions are compulsory as a mandatory component to this course and 100% attendance is required. If students have a valid reason for absence supported by documentation (medical certificate or Statutory declaration), students must follow the absence process outlined on blackboard, submit required documentation and attend the allocated make up opportunity. Students are permitted to miss a maximum of 2 of PRAC during the semester.

Student are required to adhere to UQ NMSW nursing uniform requirement when attending PRAC. Students do not meet the uniform policy requirements will not be permitted to attend a class and will be marked as absent.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Week 1

(23 Feb - 01 Mar)

Lecture

Introduction Lecture

Students are required to attend the online 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

Additional learning activity information

Practical (PRAC) Learning Session Participation

Practical (PRAC) Learning sessions allow 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 PRAC, 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 of 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 lecturers and peers.
  • Attendance is mandatory for all PRAC sessions.

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 PRACs) 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 NURS7124 Blackboard site) and supporting evidence, i.e. medical certificate / statutory declaration, within 48 hours of the missed PRAC 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 CBL. 

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:

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:

Course guidelines

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


  • Students must comply with the following documents in the Nursing & Midwifery Practice Education (Clinical Placements) Blackboard site:
  • 2026 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 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:

  • 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.


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.