Clinical Nursing Practice 2 (NURS7127)

Course overview

Clinical Nursing Practice 2 is the second in a series of four clinical courses designed to foster the development of Australian National Nursing Competency Standards for Registered Nurses among students. Additionally, the course aims to cultivate students UQ graduate attributes in their learning and clinical practice. During the preceptor-led clinical experiences in this course, students will have the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts acquired in current and prior semesters, as well as interpersonal, clinical assessment, and intervention skills gained through weekly clinical skills sessions. The primary focus of clinical practice will be on developing evidence-based nursing care and clinical skills across community, mental health, and acute care settings.

Clinical Nursing Practice 2 (NURS7127) is structured to build upon the foundational skills and knowledge gained in semester 1 (NURS7124), with a strong emphasis on developing essential clinical competencies. Students are expected to engage in mandatory Clinical Based Learning (CBL) sessions and meet the clinical placement requirements integral to the course. This emphasis on skill development highlights the critical role of integrating theoretical understanding with practical experience to support informed clinical decision-making and cultivate an appreciation for evidence-based practice. Throughout the course, students will concentrate on refining their abilities in patient assessment, which includes observational skills and interpreting clinical data to guide decision-making. They will also develop proficiency in IV fluid management and medication administration. The course requires a minimum of 200 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.

The real-world clinical settings encountered during placements provide invaluable opportunities to apply theoretical concepts to diverse patient scenarios, fostering a deep understanding of evidence-based guidelines and protocols. This practical exposure enables students to adapt their practice in response to emerging evidence and patient outcomes, empowering them to deliver safe, effective, and patient-centered care. 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 during clinical placements reflects the professionalism of the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work at The University of Queensland. Therefore, maintaining professional presentation, communication, and behavior, including adherence to uniform guidelines specified by NMSW placement protocols, is essential throughout the course.

Course requirements

Assumed background

It is assumed that student's have successfully completed all requirements in NURS7124 in Semester 1. Compliance with all pre-placement mandatory requirements is the responsiblity of the student and must be completed prior to commencing clinical placement.ﾠ

Prerequisites

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

NURS7124

Restrictions

MNursSt

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

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

Aims and outcomes

The aim of this course is to build on knowledge and skills acquired in NURS7124. Students will systematically learn theoretical constructs and clinical skills ﾠapplied initially within the simulation space,ﾠand then under supervision in the clinical practice setting.ﾠ

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

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

GEMS IPCP Curriculum Assessment

• Hurdle

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

Pass/Fail

Due date

2/08/2024 1:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L07

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Online submission via Blackboard (HABS1240 Blackboard site).This assessment requires students to submit an electronic version of their assignment via Blackboard.  

The anti-plagiarism software Turnitin is being used at UQ. The electronic version of your assignment will be submitted via Blackboard, using the Turnitin software. Work submitted will be subjected to a plagiarism detection process.  

Please refer to ITS help if you experience difficulties in submitting your assessment in Blackboard or using Turnitin.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 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 

• Extension requests should be submitted prior to the assessment deadline. 
• Extension requests must state the due date and the due time of the assessment. 
• Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date may not be approved. Late requests must include evidence of the reasons for the late request.  
• The extension granted should be in proportion to the period of illness or disruption caused by the exceptional circumstances and will typically be no more than the specified maximum extension length. 
• Students on a Student Access Plan (SAP) with a clause on extension requests must still adhere to the extensions request policy outlined. Students need to attach the SAP and a note outlining their current situation with the online extension application. A maximum of 7 days will be granted on the basis of an SAP. An extension request beyond 7 days will require additional supporting information as this request will not be considered on the basis of the SAP, but rather additional events (whether they relate to the circumstances of the SAP or not).

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. 

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.

Medication Calculation Assessment

• Hurdle
• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Quiz

Weight

Pass/Fail

Due date

23/07/2024 1:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L03, L04

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Students to upload the completed Medication safety certificate via the Blackboard assessment link.

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.

Placement Preparation and Performance Assessment

• Hurdle

Mode

Activity/ Performance, Written

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

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

This assessment item is required to be entered into ePAD and signed off by your Clinical Facilitator or Buddy RN.

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.

Clinical Placement Completion

• Hurdle

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Placement

Weight

Pass/Fail

Due date

Students are to submit their signed Formative ANSAT, Summative ANSAT and timesheet via ePad.

Due dates are dependent on the 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

Students are to submit clinical hours, formative and summative ANSATs 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.

Objective Structured Clinical Assessment (OSCA)

• Hurdle

Mode

Oral

Category

Role play/ Simulation

Weight

Pass/Fail

Due date

Day and time details will be made available within Blackboard.

Learning outcomes

L02, L03, L04

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

The OSCA is assessed within the simulation space. Students must attend there allocated OCSA and present in accordance to the UQ NMWS uniform policy to be permitted to undertake the OSCA.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

• You can request a deferred OSCA if you can provide evidence of unavoidable circumstances that prevented you from sitting your original OSCA at its scheduled date and time. Your application must include supporting evidence. Your application will be assessed based on the evidence you provide when you apply.
• Deferred OSCAs will be formally scheduled at a set date and time, and applicants will need to ensure that they are available to attend at the assigned date and time.
• There are no provisions to defer a deferred exam. You need to be available to sit your deferred OSCA.

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, 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).

Supplementary assessment

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

If a student receives an unsuccessful grade on the OSCA assessment and is the only assessed that they have failed in the course, the student will be eligible to apply for a supplementary assessment, which will be in the form of an OSCA.

Additional assessment information

Please refer to the NURS7127 Blackboard site for additional assessment information located under the "Assessment" tab.

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

• Extension requests should be submitted prior to the assessment deadline.
• Extension requests must state the due date and the due time of the assessment.
• Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date may not be approved. Late requests must include evidence of the reasons for the late request. 
• The extension granted should be in proportion to the period of illness or disruption caused by the exceptional circumstances and will typically be no more than 2 weeks in duration.
• Students on a Student Access Plan (SAP) with a clause on extension requests must still adhere to the extensions request policy outlined. Students need to attach the SAP and a note outlining their current situation with the online extension application. A maximum of 7 days will be granted for applications on the basis of an SAP. An extension request beyond 7 days will require additional supporting information as this request will not be considered on the basis of the SAP, but rather additional events (whether they relate to the circumstances of the SAP or not).

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.
• Appeals against a refusal of an extension should be lodged through the Student Grievance Resolution process outlined on my.UQ.

Penalties for late submission

• Assessments submitted late will have 10% of the mark available deducted per day (including weekends and public holidays).
• Work submitted more than 7 days after the due date without an approved extension will not receive a mark.
• Please note for pass/fail assessment there is no daily loss of marks. Assessment that is submitted late is given zero marks.

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

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Students are provided with a UQ email account and must monitor the account regularly (daily) whilst enrolled at UQ. Please see Policy 6.20.04 and in particular section 3.2 Student and Alumni Email for information regarding the appropriate use of email.

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 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 complete 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 Master of Nursing Studies 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 please contact the course convenor to discuss the implications of these changes for your clinical placement.

Compliance Statement

It is expected that students have successfully completed all requirements for NURS7124 in Semester 1. Students are responsible fo rmeeting all pre-placement mandatory requirements before the start of Semester 2 (July 19th, 2024). 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 required to address these by the end of week 4 of semester 2. If students do not meet the final compliance deadlines by the end of week 4, 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 Master of Nursing Studies 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 NURS7127 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.

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 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 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 NURS7127 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. If the absence is approved you will be notified by the Course Coordinator of a time and location for your make-up CBL.

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 CBL Co-ordinator 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.

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. Failure to comply with this policy will result in removal of the student(s) from placement, and a failing grade for this course.

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 - 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:

• Placement
• Working with Children
• Fitness to Practise
• Immunisation

Course guidelines

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Assessment Guidelines

Assessment and Assignment Writing Guide

Please visit the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work website for information about assessment.

Link to my.UQ, Examinations and Assessment: https://my.uq.edu.au/services/exams-and-assessment.

It is essential that students complete pre-placement Mandatory Requirements as outlined on the following web page: https://habs.uq.edu.au/prepare-your-nursing-and-midwifery-placement

Students must complete these in order to be eligible to attend placement.

Students must also comply with the 2024 Clinical Placement Guidelines and Inplace guide, mandatory preparation requirements and Scope of Practice Documents. Refer to the Nursing Practice Education (Clinical Placements) Blackboard site for details.

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 2024 Clinical Placement Guidelines and Attendance and Absence Procedure for instructions if you are unable to attend placement.