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Course profile

Clinical Nursing Practice 3 (NURS7129)

Study period
Sem 1 2025
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
Study level
Postgraduate Coursework
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
4
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Nursing, Midwifery & Social Wk

Clinical Nursing Practice 3 is a pivotal course within the Master of Nursing Studies program, designed to advance students' professional competencies in alignment with the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice. It also emphasises the integration and demonstration of the University of Queensland (UQ) graduate attributes, fostering the development of reflective, skilled, and adaptable healthcare professionals.

This course provides students with an immersive clinical placement experience, enabling the application of theoretical concepts introduced in the program's foundational year. Clinical placement offers opportunities to critically analyse and implement research evidence into practice, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical application.

Building on the knowledge, interpersonal skills, and clinical capabilities developed in earlier courses, Clinical Nursing Practice 3 supports students in refining their assessment and intervention techniques. The course aims to consolidate and enhance professional skills, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice, equipping students with the advanced competencies required for professional practice.

This course requires a minimum of 280 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 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

Students enrolling in this course must have successfully completed all prerequisite requirements associated with NURS7129, or have been granted formal credit for equivalent prior study. Foundational knowledge and skills from the first year of the Master of Nursing Studies program are essential, as these will be further developed and applied throughout the semester and during clinical placement.

This course includes a mandatory clinical placement component, requiring students to complete all necessary preparation and meet compliance obligations, such as mandatory training. It is the responsibility of each student to ensure these requirements are fulfilled and up to date by the due date or prior to their compliance anniversary.

Failure to meet compliance requirements will result in the withdrawal of the clinical placement allocation, preventing progression or completion of this aspect of the course. Students must take proactive steps to ensure all obligations are met to avoid disruption to their studies.

Prerequisites

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

NURS7127

Restrictions

MNursSt

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Timetable

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

Aims and outcomes

The aim of this course is to enable students to consolidate their foundational knowledge and skills acquired in previous courses while advancing their clinical expertise. It focuses on equipping students with the competencies required to deliver effective and comprehensive nursing care within diverse healthcare settings.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Utilise evidence-based information to develop clinical skills in simulated and clinical environments, at novice level.

LO2.

Practice legal, ethical, cultural and professional principles within the scope of a student nurse when undertaking patient care and/or performing clinical responsibilities.

LO3.

Demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning, commensurate with program level, when delivering, evaluating and reflecting on evidence-based care in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia competency domains at a novice level.

LO4.

Apply learned interpersonal, clinical assessment and clinical intervention skills in the planning and management of nursing care in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia competency domains at a novice level.

LO5.

Engage in effective verbal, non-verbal and written professional communication with patients and interdisciplinary team members.

LO6.

Establish therapeutic relationships with patients that are goal directed, patient centred and care focused within expected professional boundaries.

Assessment

Assessment summary

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

25/02/2025 3:00 pm

Please refer to your NURS7129 course timetable for the assessment date and time - this assessment is a mandatory attendance requirement.

Quiz Hand Hygiene Certification
  • Hurdle
  • Online
Pass/fail

6/03/2025 1:00 pm

Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection IPCP: Role Play and Reflection
  • Hurdle
  • Team or group-based
Pass/Fail

Please refer to the HABS1240 Blackboard site

The two assessment due dates relate to the tutorials running over two weeks. Each student will attend one of the three tutorials: 

  • Friday 21st Feb 9am,
  • Friday 21st Feb 1pm, or
  • Friday 28th Feb 9am 


Participation/ Student contribution, Role play/ Simulation Interprofessional Simulation OSCA
  • Hurdle
  • In-person
Pass/fail

Due dates are dependent on student allocation at time of enrollment.

Placement Placement Preparation and Performance Assessment
  • Hurdle
  • In-person
Pass/Fail

Due dates are dependent on allocated placement.

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

Due dates are dependent on the 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 Assessment

  • Hurdle
  • In-person
  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Quiz
Weight
Pass/Fail
Due date

25/02/2025 3:00 pm

Please refer to your NURS7129 course timetable for the assessment date and time - this assessment is a mandatory attendance requirement.

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03

Task description

This assessment consists of three online medication quizzes which will examine and extend your preparedness for clinical placement.

Medication Safety exams - This part will examine your knowledge regarding medication safety which includes medication calculations and the “rights” of medication administration. The link to the medication safety exams will be available in the companion course site:

  • Medication 'Rights' Customised Assessment #2
  • Medication Calculations Customised Assessments #4 and #6
  • Download the certificates of completed at the end of each quiz upload and present present these certificates to test invigilators to mark off as completed.

Students are required to achieve 100% accuracy for the nominated medication safety exams. Whilst there is the opportunity for ongoing repeat attempts at the exams, 100% accuracy must be achieved.

This assessment is invigilated and students must attend the allocated session and have with them their laptop or electronic device to access the assessment task.

Any students unable to achieve 100% accuracy by the end of the scheduled assessment will not proceed to clinical placement. Students unsuccessful in the assessment attempt will be informed via their UQ email of the requirements and due date of the second attempt. Students are to refer to the course Blackboard site Assessment tab for additional details. 

Students must undertake and be successful in their medication safety exam. This must be completed prior to undertaking medication administration.

Medication administration under direct RN supervision is an expected scope of practice for all undergraduate students.

Hurdle requirements

Students must achieve 100% to successfully pass the assessment item. Students unable to achieve a successful result on the assessment will receive a fail grade for the course. This is an invigilated test and student must attend as per the details within the course timetable. Please refer to the assessment tasksheet on the NURS7129 Blackboard site.

Submission guidelines

Students are to upload the completed medication safety certificates via the Blackboard assessment link post results being verfied by assessors.

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.

Hand Hygiene Certification

  • Hurdle
  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Quiz
Weight
Pass/fail
Due date

6/03/2025 1:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02

Task description

Hand hygiene is a fundamental nursing skill and essential to safe patient care. When performed correctly, effective hand hygiene contributes to the prevention of healthcare-associated infection and improved patient safety. The aim of this assessment is to evaluate students' knowledge and understanding of effective, evidence-based hand hygiene practices that health care workers must implement when working in healthcare facilities and providing clinical care. Successful completion of this assessment is defined as achieving 100% in the quiz at the end of the module. Please refer to the tasksheet located on the NURS7129 Blackboard site for additional information.

Hurdle requirements

This assessment must be passed (100%) to be eligible to pass NURS7129. Students who fail to complete the assessment will have their clinical placement cancelled/ceased.

Submission guidelines

Certificate of completion dated between 17/2/25 to 6/3/25 1pm to be uploaded to the NURS7129 Blackboard site.

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.

IPCP: Role Play and Reflection

  • Hurdle
  • Team or group-based
Mode
Written
Category
Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection
Weight
Pass/Fail
Due date

Please refer to the HABS1240 Blackboard site

The two assessment due dates relate to the tutorials running over two weeks. Each student will attend one of the three tutorials: 

  • Friday 21st Feb 9am,
  • Friday 21st Feb 1pm, or
  • Friday 28th Feb 9am 


Learning outcomes
L03, L04, L05

Task description

This is a team assessment and all team members are expected to contribute equally to the team’s assessment items during the tutorial. Teams will be assigned prior to the tutorial. There are two (2) parts to this assessment both based upon a client case conference role play that your team will complete during the tutorial class.

  • Part one requires you to complete a worksheet and will draw on your case conference role play, focusing on role-clarification, team functioning and client-centred care.
  • Length: There is no word limit for the worksheet.
  • Part two requires you to complete a team reflection on the processes adopted during your case conference role play specifically focusing on interprofessional communication, team functioning, conflict management and collaborative leadership.
  • Length: The team reflection will be limited to 500 words.

Teams will need to submit both assessment pieces via the Assessment tab on the IPCP Learn.UQ course site prior to the end of the tutorial class. Additional information regarding submission will be provided on the IPCP Learn.UQ course site. Please refer to the assessment information on Learn.UQ for further details and requirements for the assessment.

Hurdle requirements

Students must achieve a pass grade in the assessment to be eligible to pass NURS7129. A fail grade in this assessment will result in a fail grade in the course overall. Please refer to the HABS1240 Blackboard site for additional information.

Submission guidelines

Online submission via Blackboard.

The IPCP module is a Pass/Fail assessment task. Students who pass the module will receive a course grade based on the remaining assessment in the course.

  • Students who are unable to attend the module because they are away from Brisbane or ill on the day of the tutorial class will be given an opportunity to complete the assessment individually. Successful completion of the assessment will enable a PASS grade for the module.


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.

Interprofessional Simulation OSCA

  • Hurdle
  • In-person
Mode
Activity/ Performance, Oral
Category
Participation/ Student contribution, Role play/ Simulation
Weight
Pass/fail
Due date

Due dates are dependent on student allocation at time of enrollment.

Learning outcomes
L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Interprofessional learning within the field of nursing stands as a cornerstone for professional development, fostering a collaborative and dynamic environment that significantly contributes to the growth and efficacy of healthcare practitioners. Recognising the interconnectedness of the multidisciplinary team, interprofessional learning emphasises the importance of nurses working collaboratively to share knowledge, skills, and experiences. This collaborative approach not only enhances the quality of patient care but also cultivates a culture of continuous improvement within the healthcare profession. This OSCA assesses your ability to work and communicate within interprofessional teams as a component of developing your professional capabilities.

You are required to self allocate as per the timetabling requirements for enrollment into NURS7129. Students must review the assessment tasksheet for additional assessment details located within the NURS7129 Blackboard site. Students who do not allocate themselves to simulation session on enrollment into the course will receive a fail grade for the assessment.

Hurdle requirements

Students must achieve a pass grade in this assessment to be eligible to pass NURS7129. Students unable to achieve a successful result on the assessment will receive a fail grade for the course. Students must adhere to UQ NMSW nursing uniform guidelines when attending the OSCA. Where students do not comply with the uniform requirements they will not be permitted to undertake the OSCA and will be awareded a fail grade.

Submission guidelines

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.

Placement Preparation and Performance Assessment

  • Hurdle
  • In-person
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

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 a second year, first semester Master of Nursing Studies student. The course requires successful completion of 280 hours of clinical placement. The following elements needed to be completed in order to evidence Clinical Placement Preparation and Performance:

1. Placement Readiness Plan

Within the first two days of clinical placement students will develop a Placement Plan (completed via ePAD). The overall aim of the placement 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 which need further work as you progress towards working as a registered nurse. Information on how to complete your Placement Plan will be provided to you prior to starting placement.

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 communication list, one from the medication administration list, and one from the patient assessment list. You will demonstrate your ability to safely undertake these activities, and request feedback on your performance via ePAD. Information on how to complete your Clinical Skills Assessments 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 (completed via ePAD). 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. Information on how to complete your self-evaluation will be provided to you prior to starting placement.

4. 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. 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. Information on how to complete this activity will be provided to you prior to starting placement.

Students are to refer to the "Assessment" tab located within the NURS7129 Blackboard site for further details and specifications of the assessment item.

Please note: falsification of any information pertaining to placement attendance or performance will be considered a breach of the UQ Student Code of Conduct Policy 3.60.01 (https://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.01-student-code-conduct).

Hurdle requirements

This assessment must be completed in its entirety to be eligible to pass NURS7129. Please refer to the tasksheet on the NURS7129 Blackboard site for additional information.

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

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

Task description

This final assessment requires students to demonstrate successful completion of clinical placement and attainment of Scope of Practice for NURS7129. Demonstrated capability in clinical practice commensurate with the NURS7129 Course Learning Objectives evidenced by successful completion and submission of the Formative and Summative Australian Nursing Standards Assessment Tool (ANSAT). 

There are three (3) parts to this assessment:

Part 1 - Formative ANSAT

  • Must be completed and submitted via ePAD mid placement after approx. 140 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 criteria to pass.

Please note: Submitting the formative ANSAT mid-placement will ensure students who have not met the passing requirements (scores of 3 and above) can be supported with a Practice Learning Plan through to the end of placement. 

Part 2 - 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 criteria to pass. (Any scores of 2 or below at this final assessment means that a student has not achieved passing requirements for this course.)

Part 3 - Timesheet

Successful completion of 280 hours of clinical placement within the rostered timeframe advised by the Clinical Placements Unit. 

The completed timesheet must demonstrate all required hours of clinical placement (280 hours), undertaken within the rostered timeframe as advised by the Clinical Placement Unit.

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. 

Additional information

  • All attendances and absences to be recorded within ePAD.
  • All ANSAT documents to 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 codes of conduct resulting in immediate withdrawal from placement and a fail grade awarded.

Hurdle requirements

Student must achive a pass grade for this assessment to be eligible to pass NURS7129. Please refer to the tasksheet provided on the NURS7129 Blackboard site.

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.

Course grading

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: Does not adhere to expected scope of practice. 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 Placement Learning Plan.

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 this course.

Additional assessment information

All assessment items must be submitted and passed by assigned due dates in order to meet the requirements to pass NURS7129.

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 will be provided with access to an online platform to practice and develop safety in medication administration. This will be accessed through Blackboard.

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.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
O-week

(17 Feb - 23 Feb)

Problem-based learning

GEM - Interprofessional Collaborative Practice

You will work in small teams in a single 3-hour tutorial with students from Audiology, Dentistry, Dietetics, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Social Work and Speech Pathology. This is one module consisting of online preparation and a face-to-face tutorial class. You will be allocated to a small team of students from different discipline backgrounds to engage in a range of learning activities, including a case conference role play, to develop your knowledge and skills to help prepare you for working in interprofessional collaborative teams when caring for clients.

Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L06

Multiple weeks

From Week 1 To Week 6

Lecture

Course orientation

This lecture will provide an overview of the course and clinical placement expectations and requirements. Additional lectures are provided to support your clinical knowledge on contemporary topics.

Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04

Multiple weeks

From Week 1 To Week 13
(24 Feb - 01 Jun)

Placement

Clinical placement

Clinical placement at teaching hospitals and health institutions. Clinical placement details and requirements will vary based on each student's allocated clinical placement site. Placement details will be distributed by the NMSW Clinical Placement Team and general placement information will be posted on the NURS7129 Blackboard site. Please note some placements may be allocated outside of semester dates and this placement allocation depends largely on what is provided to UQ. Clinical placement attendance is a mandatory requirement and students must achieve a passing result and complete a minimum of 280 hours of clinical placement.

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

Case-based learning

Online modules

Online learning modules are required to be completed over the course of the semester. These modules aim to support the development of knowledge, critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills, and readiness for professional practice.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L06

Week 1

(24 Feb - 02 Mar)

Practical

Medication Assessment Exam

Medication Assessment Exam scheduled for Tuesday 25/2/25 commencing at 3pm.

Learning outcomes: L03, L05

Multiple weeks

From Week 3 To Week 12
(10 Mar - 25 May)

Practical

Interprofessional (IP) Simulation

Students are required to participate in one Interprofessional (IP) Simulation Tutorial on campus. Other participating students will be from a range of allied health disciplines. On the day of the Simulation, students will be provided a case scenario and will work together to overcome clinical challenges. Details of date, time and venue of IP simulation will be provided via Blackboard. Students will nominate to participate on a certain date.

Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05

Multiple weeks

From Week 5 To Week 10
(24 Mar - 11 May)

Workshop

Employability Workshops

Two workshops, one in week 5 and one in week 10, will help students develop important skills for their graduate program applications and interviews. These skills will be useful for all nursing employment opportunities, present or future. Information such as date, time and venue for these workshops can be found in your timetable next to the code WKS1.

Learning outcomes: L05

Week 9

(28 Apr - 04 May)

Workshop

Graduate Information Session

This seminar will provide students with information related to graduate positions and applications from Mater Services, Darling Downs, West Moreton, Metro North and South health divisions, Aged and Community Services and Institute for Urban Indigenous Health. Students need to enrol in either the on campus session or the live Zoom session.

Learning outcomes: L05

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

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 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 NURS7129 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.

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:

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

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 .

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 2025 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 2025 Clinical Placement Guidelines and Attendance and Absence Procedure for instructions if you are unable to attend placement.