Unit Outline

NUR135

Nursing Practice 1

Semester 2, 2026

Fleur Morine

School of Nursing

Health (Portfolio)

CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

What is the Unit About?

Unit Description

Nursing Practice 1 builds on your fundamental knowledge and skills introduced in Foundations of Nursing 1. It incorporates 80 hours of Professional Experience Placement (PEP) and highlights the importance of the Professional Practice Framework and the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice (2016). It introduces a diverse range of registered nurse responsibilities, with a focus on safety, quality, digital health, intra/interprofessional communication and evidence-based practice across the lifespan with a strengths-based perspective. You will continue to develop your professional portfolio and engage in critical and reflective analysis at a foundational level as you make progress towards demonstrating developing competence in practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Demonstrate capability toward meeting the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice (2016).
2	Apply the principles of clinical reasoning to nursing practice.
3	Apply foundational level skills and knowledge to provide evidence-informed, person-centred care to people across the life span.
4	Use effective interpersonal and written communication skills.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	NUR132 Foundations of Nursing 1

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In response to student feedback:
Assessment Task 3 has been updated with clearer instructions and improved rubric descriptors to better support your understanding of expectations and preparation for assessment.
Workshop and practical class times have been redesigned to simplify scheduling and create a more streamlined timetable.
In addition, the rubric for Assessment Task 5 (OSCA) has been revised to provide a more balanced approach to assessing both your knowledge and practical skills.

Teaching arrangements


ATTENDANCE MODE	TEACHING TYPE	LEARNING ACTIVITY	CONTACT HOURS	FREQUENCY
On Campus	Independent Learning	Online Independent Learning - 8 hours.	8	StudyPeriod 12 times
	Workshop	Workshop A - 1 hour weekly workshop.	1	Study Period 9 times
	Practical	Practical A - 2 hour weekly practical.	2	Study Period 9 times
	Clinical or Professional Practice	80 hours of Professional Experience Placement (PEP).	40	Study Period 2 times
	Practical	Practical Test A - pre-PEP Hurdle of 30 minutes	0.50	Study Period 1 time
	Practical	Practical B - 2 hour practical	2	Study Period 1 time
	Workshop	Workshop B - 1 hour workshop	1	2 times per month
	Practical	Practical Test B - OSCA of 30 minutes	0.50	Study Period 1 time

Attendance / engagement expectations

If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.

Attendance in this unit is essential for developing the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours required for safe and effective practice. This unit relies heavily on interactive learning, group work and clinical simulations that cannot be fully replicated through independent study or online resources. Regular attendance ensures you:

Engage actively with unit content and your peers.

Develop clinical reasoning and communication skills.

Participate in hands-on activities and simulations vital for patient care.

Consistent attendance also fosters a sense of responsibility and professionalism, both of which are core attributes for future nurses.

Mandatory Attendance Guidelines
1.   Minimum Attendance Requirement
You must attend at least 80% of all workshops and practicals for the unit delivered between teaching weeks 1-9 (inclusive)
2.   Monitoring and Recording
Attendance will be recorded during each session. It is your responsibility to ensure your attendance is noted.
3.   Absence Notification
If you are unable to attend due to illness or other valid reasons, you must notify the unit coordinator prior to your class and provide supporting documentation (e.g., medical certificate).
4.   Consequences of Non-Compliance
Students who do not meet the 80% attendance requirement will be ineligible to attend their NUR135 Professional Experience Placement (PEP) and therefore unable to pass the unit.
5.   Professional Conduct
You are expected to be punctual and actively participate at all times. Arriving late or leaving early may be recorded as an absence.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Online Quizzes	Week 2	10 %	LO1, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Pre-PEP Hurdle Task	Week 4	0 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Skills Portfolio	Week 9	45 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	PEP Workbook	Week 12	0 %	LO1
Assessment Task 5:	Objective Structured Clinical Assessment (OSCA)	Week 13	45 %	LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online Quizzes

Task Description:

These in-class quizzes will assess knowledge of both Scope of Practice and Professionalism in preparation for your upcoming Professional Experience Placement (PEP). The two short multiple-choice quizzes will draw on content from the PEP professionalism module within MyLO and the workshop and laboratory content.

Due:
Quiz 1 - Week 2
Quiz 2 - Week 3.

Task Length:

10 questions per quiz

Due Date:

Week 2

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrates knowledge of the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice.	LO1
2	Applies principles of professionalism to nursing practice.	LO1, LO4
3	Demonstrates understanding of the scope of practice in NUR135 PEP.	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Pre-PEP Hurdle Task

Task Description:

This is a short, on-campus, practice-based assessment in which students are required to demonstrate their capacity to safely and effectively perform identified nursing skills prior to attending PEP.

To progress into PEP, students must pass this task.

Further information can be found in MyLO.

Task Length:

Approximately 30 minutes.

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrates ability to meet Standard 3: Maintains capability for practice in accordance with the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice.	LO1, LO2, LO4
2	Capacity to practise safely in accordance with Health's Mandatory Functional Requirements.	LO1

Assessment Task 3: Skills Portfolio

Task Description:

You will be taking the knowledge and skills gained within the unit prior to PEP to complete a range of activities.
This task allows you to apply the clinical reasoning cycle to person-centred nursing care.

Task Length:

Completion of all identified activities in the skills workbook.

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

45 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Applies clinical reasoning to the assessment, planning and implementation of nursing care.	LO1, LO2
2	Applies principles of quality and safety including infection prevention and control, quality use of medicines and caring in all aspects of nursing care practice.	LO2, LO3
3	Performs and documents a range of selected nursing skills in a simulated environment.	LO3, LO4
4	Undertakes critical reflective practice, including receiving and providing constructive feedback.	LO4

Assessment Task 4: PEP Workbook

Task Description:

To be eligible to attend Professional Experience Placement in this unit and, you must have attended at least 80% of all workshops and laboratories.

During your professional experience placement (PEP), you will need to demonstrate satisfactory performance in practice. The supervising Registered Nurse(s) will assess your performance over the 80 hours and complete the documentation supplied by you as outlined in the PEP Workbook.

This is a compulsory assessment task and must be completed satisfactorily to be eligible for a pass in this unit.

Due:
PEP Rotation 1 - Week 12.
PEP Rotation 2 - Week 14.

Task Length:

Unlimited as PEP workbook

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Provides required evidence of satisfactory performance against the NMBA’s Registered Nurse Standards for Practice (2016).	LO1

Assessment Task 5: Objective Structured Clinical Assessment (OSCA)

Task Description:

You will be required to perform a clinical skill under observation.
The clinical skill of medication administration or wound management will be randomly allocated at the commencement of the assessment.

Due:
PEP Rotation 1 - Week 13.
PEP Rotation 2 ( except Rozelle) - Week 14.

Task Length:

30 minutes

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

45 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrates nursing care that is person-centred.	LO3, LO4
2	Provides care that is in accordance with best practice guidelines.	LO3
3	Accurately respond to questions related to the skill.	LO2, LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, pass any hurdle tasks and meet the attendance requirement.
In addition, to be eligible for a pass in this unit you must complete 80 hours of Professional Experience Placement (PEP), complete all PEP requirements and achieve a pass in the final Australian Nursing Standards Assessment Tool (ANSAT) Review.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

Berman, A, Snyder, S, Levett-Jones, T, Burton, P & Harvey, N. (2021). Skills in clinical nursing. Pearson Australia (eText available)

Bauldoff, G., Gubrud-Howe, P. M., Carno, M.-A., Levett-Jones, T., Moxham, L., Reid-Searl, K., Houlis-Berry, K., Carville, K., Hales, M., Langtree, T., Hillman, E., Stanley, D., & Stanton, S. (2024). LeMone and Burke’s medical-surgical nursing : critical thinking for person-centred care (Fifth [adaptation] edition.). Pearson Australia. (eText available)

Tiziani, A. (ed.) (2021). Harvard's Nursing Guide to Drugs. (11th ed). Elsevier. (eText available)