Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 4
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Nursing, Midwifery & Social Wk
This is the final course of the MNursSt which has the overall aim of developing students' competency in relation to the Australian National Competency Standards for the Registered Nurse. In addition, students are expected to incorporate and display UQ graduate attributes in their practice. During the preceptored clinical experiences in this course, students will have an opportunity to apply the theoretical concepts learned in the foundations of nursing practice in the first year of the program and in their clinical placement. Students will be able to build on the knowledge and the interpersonal, clinical assessment and clinical intervention skills learned in the weekly clinical skills sessions, planned in Clinical Practice 1 and 2, and in their clinical practice 3. Students will have the opportunity to revise previously learned skills with either their clinical lecturer or their preceptor and will develop new skills as the opportunity arises in their practice setting.
Clinical Nursing Practice 4 (NURS7131) is structured to consolidate skills and knowledge gained throughout your program, with a strong emphasis on clinical competencies and critical thinking. Skill development through clinical placement participation provides the opportunity to integrate theoretical understanding and evidence-based clinical practice. Throughout the course, students will concentrate on refining their abilities in patient assessment, pharmacological knowledge, clinical aptitude and critical thinking. The 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.
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 students taking this course have successfully completed all pre-requisite courses or have been granted credit for these courses. You will be required to be competent in the skills learned in prerequisite courses in order to advance your practice. Students build on the knowledge, interpersonal, clinical assessment and clinical intervention skills learned from the weekly clinical skills sessions in Clinical Nursing Practice 1, 2, and 3.
Mandatory Preparation (Blue Card, First Aid currency, Med+Safe certificates etc)ﾠis the responsibility of the student and must be completed prior to commencing Clinical Placement according to the due date/anniversary renewal date specified.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
NURS7129
Restrictions
MNursSt
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This is the final course of the MNSt, which has the overall aim of developing students' competency in relation to the Australian National Competency Standards for the Registered Nurse. In addition, students are expected to incorporate and display UQ graduate attributes in their practice.
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 a 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 Calculations Assessment (Med+Safe)
|
Pass/Fail |
23/07/2024 1:00 pm |
| Placement |
Clinical Placement Completion
|
Pass/Fail |
Students are to submit their signed Formative ANSAT, Summative ANSAT and timesheet via ePad. 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 Calculations Assessment (Med+Safe)
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- Pass/Fail
- Due date
23/07/2024 1:00 pm
Task description
This assessment consists of an online medication quiz 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:
- Level 2 Clinical Case Studies Assessment #4
- Download the certificate at the end of the quiz and upload certificate via assessment link in Blackboard
Students are required to achieve 100% accuracy for the nominated medication safety exams. While there is the opportunity for ongoing repeat attempts at the exams, 100% accuracy must be achieved.
Any students unable to achieve 100% accuracy by the due date 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. You must pass this item to pass the course.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.
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.
Task description
Part 1
Demonstrated capability in clinical practice commensurate with the NURS7131 Course Learning Objectives evidenced by successful completion and submission of the Formative and Summative Australian Nursing Standards Assessment Tool (ANSAT).
1. Formative ANSAT:
- Completion due date is mid-placement (after approx. 140 hours of placement).
- To be completed by a UQ Clinical Supervisor, Preceptor, Nurse Educator or Buddy RN via ePAD.
- All sections must be completed (scores and comments).
- You must receive a score of 3 or above on every criteria (failure to do so will result in a learning plan being implemented).
2. Summative ANSAT:
- Completion due date is at the end of your placement (last or second-to-last shift).
- To be completed by a UQ Clinical Supervisor, Preceptor, Nurse Educator or Buddy RN via ePAD.
- All sections must be completed (scores and comments).
- You must receive a score of 3 or above on every criteria (failure to do so will result in a fail grade for the course).
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
Completing and passing this assessment is required to be eligible to pass the course.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: All assessment items in this course are Pass/Fail. Students must complete, submit and pass each item of assessment in order to successfully complete the course. 280 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. Students must achieve a minimum score of 3 in every assessment criteria on the Summative ANSAT in order to successfully complete the course. |
| F |
Course grade description: The summative assessment items in this course are NGP (non graded pass). Students who do not demonstrate competence in applying knowledge in nursing practice and do not successfully complete all their assessment items will be awarded a fail. Unable to demonstrate competence in applying knowledge in nursing practice. Does not adhere to the expected scope of practice. Undertakes medication preparation, dispensing or administration without direct supervision by a 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 available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Please refer to the NURS7131 Blackboard site for additional assessment information, located under the "Assessment" tab.
Penalties for late submission
- All assessment items for this course are ungraded pass/fail. 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 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.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Placement |
Clinical Placement Clinical practice placement at teaching hospitals and health institutions. Clinical placement attendance is a mandatory requirement and students must achieve a passing result and complete minimum of 280 hours of clinical placement. Details on each student's clinical placement will vary depending on the assigned clinical placement site. Students may be rostered to work any shifts; early, afternoon or night shifts on any day of the week, including the weekends. Placement details will be distributed by the NMSW Practice Education Team and general placement information will be available via the posted on the Nursing & Midwifery Practice Education (Clinical Practice) Blackboard site. This document is available in the Nursing & Midwifery Practice Education (Clinical Practice) Blackboard site. Please note: some placements may be allocated outside of semester dates due to availability. |
Case-based learning |
Online Modules There are learning modules in Blackboard for students to complete across the semester. |
|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Lecture |
Orientation to course This lecture will give you information essential to completing assessment and clinical placement in this course. |
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Workshop |
Transition to graduate nursing practice This workshop will help you develop knowledge and skills to support self-care, and personal and professional wellbeing during the transition to graduate nursing practice. |
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 NURS7131 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 NURS7131 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:
- 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.