NURS5082: Semester 1, 2025

Overview

This unit of study complements NURS5081Introduction to Nursing Practice and further develops the understanding of clinical judgement in practice and the role of nurses in providing comprehensive care to those experiencing hospitalisation. This includes but is not limited to: maintenance of appropriate fluid status, preventing and controlling healthcare associated infection control, quality use of oral medications, effective levels of oxygenation and pain management. This knowledge will be extended to incorporate the experience of caring for patients when the body fails to function as expected, and particularly where surgery is required. Students undertaking this unit of study will further develop skills in physical assessment, communication, and documentation and will be introduced to safe medication administration. All learning experiences focus on providing effective and safe care to people from diverse cultural and social population groups. Unit content is underpinned by the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (ACSQHC, 2011).

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	NURS5081
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Dawn Perez, dawn.perez@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Dawn Perez, dawn.perez@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Jillian Davey, jillian.davey@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Belinda Clough, belinda.clough@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Assessment 3: Final Exam Final exam: Short and medium length answers 2 hours	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Placement	Assessment 5: Off-campus clinical performance n/a	0%	Multiple weeks	Two weeks (80 hours)
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 1: Case study Case study of peri-operative patient care	40%	Week 06 Due date: 02 Apr 2025 at 23:59	1500 words and 1-page Concept Map
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 2: Communicating with the surgical patient Group assignment - Development of Education Package	20%	Week 09 Due date: 30 Apr 2025 at 23:59	3-page (1000 words) poster
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Assessment 4: CPA n/a	0%	Week 12	40 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1 – Case study: the pre-operative patient The goal of this assessment item is to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of effective preoperative education and care as it relates to preparing a patient for theatre and the underlying pathophysiology of, and nursing care required, to prevent and manage possible post-operative complications.
Assessment 2 – Group work: the goal of this assessment item is to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of placing effective communication at the centre of patient care for marginalised surgical patients and to underpin that understanding with current research evidence
Assessment 3 – Final exam: Two (2) hour exam, short and long answer questions to be held in Exam week.
Assessment 4 – Clinical Performance Appraisal (CPA): Students will be required to respond appropriately to several patient scenarios by demonstrating the appropriate nursing practices developed and practised throughout the semester as well as those learned throughout previous nursing practice units. Students who do not demonstrate competency in the performance of the critical elements for a designated number of skills in this assessment will be offered the opportunity for reassessment.
Assessment 5 – Off-campus clinical performance: Performance appraisal during clinical weeks for this unit of study will attract a satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade. Obtaining a satisfactory grade in clinical performance is a requirement for successful completion of this unit of study.

Please note: Each student is required to submit and/or attend all assessment items in order to pass this unit. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

*Where an assignment is submitted late without an approved extension, a late penalty will apply. For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero marks will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to the unit of study and Introduction to Pre-operative care	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Communication in healthcare, interpreter services	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	The medico-legal aspects of consent and documentation	Lecture (2 hr)
	Communication - pre-operative documentation and ISBAR handover	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Pre-operative assessment and patient education	Simulation laboratory (2 hr)
Week 03	Hospital acquired infections and their prevention	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Introduction to aseptic technique –aseptic wound dressings	Simulation laboratory (2 hr)
Week 04	Introduction to medication administration	Lecture (2 hr)
	Medication calculations	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Medication administration	Simulation laboratory (2 hr)
Week 05	Intra-operative care and recovery, pain management and O2 therapy	Lecture (2 hr)
	Post-operative pain management - PCA, epidurals, and introduction to oxygen therapy	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Nursing management of PCA, epidurals, administration of oxygen therapy and inhaled medications	Simulation laboratory (2 hr)
	Wound care - removal of sutures and staples and assessing wound pain	Simulation laboratory (2 hr)
Week 06	Nursing management of post operative complications and fluid balance	Lecture (2 hr)
	Management of post-operative complications, fluid balance and intravenous fluid therapy	Independent study (2 hr)
	IV fluid therapy & management of post operative complications	Simulation laboratory (2 hr)
Week 07	Surgical wounds, wound care and healing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Wound care and assessment	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Surgical issues across the lifespan	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Care of the patient in their final stages of life and the role of the nurse in a coroner’s case	Lecture (2 hr)
	Caring for the patient in the final stages of life	Simulation laboratory (2 hr)
	Caring for a patient in the final stages of life	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Patient Discharge	Lecture (2 hr)
	Preparation for clinical placement	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Patient discharge and surgical issues across the lifespan	Simulation laboratory (2 hr)
Week 11	Revision of core clinical skills	Simulation laboratory (2 hr)
Week 12	CPA’s	Simulation laboratory (2 hr)
Week 13	Clinical Practicum	Clinical practice (40 hr)
Week 14 (STUVAC)	Clinical Practicum	Clinical practice (40 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney Nursing School Resolutions specifically outline attendance requirements. Resolution 7.2 states that if students are absent without leave for more than 10% of classes in a particular unit of study in any one semester, the Dean may call upon them to show cause why they should not be deemed to have failed that unit of study.

It is expected that all students participate and fully engage in the content of this unit of study by attending lectures, tutorials and laboratories, being prepared for tutorials and laboratories, contributing to discussions in class and online, and providing and receiving feedback in a respectful and dignified manner.

Students must also attend 100% of all clinical simulation laboratories (CSL) and off campus clinical, which are supplemented with online and group activities.

Referencing style: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 7th Edition, 2020 as its official referencing style. This is an author-date style of referencing.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Brotto, V. & Rafferty, K. (2016). Clinical dosage calculations (3rd ed.). Cengage Learning.

Brown, Edwards, H., Buckley, T., Aitken, R. L., & Lewis, S. M. (2024). Lewis’s medical-surgical nursing : assessment and management of clinical problems (6e, Australia and New Zealand edition.). Elsevier Australia.

Crisp, J., & Taylor, C., Douglas, C & Rebeiro, G. (2021). Potter & Perry's fundamentals of nursing (6th edition.). Elsevier Australia.

Please also see the reading list in Canvas for additional recommended readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Understand the underlying principles of comprehensive care for a surgical patient in order to perform clinical skills within this context
LO2. Critically analyse and apply evidence informed by research to the practice of caring for the surgical patient.
LO3. Apply the Practice Thinking Framework within the context of the surgical patient to guide practice thinking and judgement.
LO4. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of legal guidelines relevant to quality use of medicines, patient confidentiality, consent and documentation applicable to patient encounters during the peri-operative experience.
LO5. Rehearse and refine core verbal and non-verbal communication skills for use with patients and other health professionals.
LO6. Utilise case study methodology to develop critical thinking and problem- solving skills.
LO7. Demonstrate satisfactory achievement in a professional experience placement undertaken in the surgical setting (as outlined in the UoS specific Clinical Record Log Book).
LO8. Demonstrate and critically reflect upon professional behaviours within a developing professional identity through safe ethical nursing practice for people from diverse social and cultural groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1. Standard 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice 2. Standard 2: Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships 3. Standard 3: Maintains the capability for practice 4. Standard 4: Comprehensively conducts assessments 5. Standard 5: Develops a plan for nursing practice 6. Standard 6: Provides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice 7. Standard 7: Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1. Standard 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice 2. Standard 2: Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships 3. Standard 3: Maintains the capability for practice 4. Standard 4: Comprehensively conducts assessments 5. Standard 5: Develops a plan for nursing practice 6. Standard 6: Provides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice 7. Standard 7: Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1. Standard 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice 3. Standard 3: Maintains the capability for practice 4. Standard 4: Comprehensively conducts assessments 5. Standard 5: Develops a plan for nursing practice
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1. Standard 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice 2. Standard 2: Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships 3. Standard 3: Maintains the capability for practice 4. Standard 4: Comprehensively conducts assessments 6. Standard 6: Provides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice 7. Standard 7: Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures 2. Standard 2: Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1. Standard 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice 3. Standard 3: Maintains the capability for practice 4. Standard 4: Comprehensively conducts assessments 5. Standard 5: Develops a plan for nursing practice 7. Standard 7: Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1. Standard 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice 2. Standard 2: Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships 3. Standard 3: Maintains the capability for practice 4. Standard 4: Comprehensively conducts assessments 5. Standard 5: Develops a plan for nursing practice 6. Standard 6: Provides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice 7. Standard 7: Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1. Standard 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice 2. Standard 2: Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships 6. Standard 6: Provides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice 7. Standard 7: Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice

Registered Nurses Standards for Practice -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.1		Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice
1.2		Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice
1.3		Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures
1.4		Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions
1.6		Maintains accurate, comprehensive and timely documentation of assessments, planning, decision- making, actions and evaluations
2.1		Establishes, sustains and concludes relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships
2.2		Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights
2.3		Recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life
2.5		Advocates on behalf of people in a manner that respects the person’s autonomy and legal capacity
2.8		Participates in and/or leads collaborative practice
2.9		Reports notifiable conduct of health professionals, health workers and others
3.1		Considers and responds in a timely manner to the health and well being of self and others in relation to the capability for practice
3.2		Provides the information and education required to enhance people’s control over health
3.5		Seeks and responds to practice review and feedback
4.1		Conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate
4.2		Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice
4.4		Assesses the resources available to inform planning.
5.1		Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan
5.5		Coordinates resources effectively and efficiently for planned actions
6.1		Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people
6.2		Practises within their scope of practice
6.5		Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation
7.1		Evaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Mostly positive feedback from students in 2024 who enjoyed the lectures, tutorials and labs. In response to some feedback that Assessment 1 (essay) was challenging as a first assessment task, it has been modified to a written response and the development of a concept map to help students consolidate their learning of unit content.

Additional information

Sensitive materials in teaching: Please note that in this Unit of Study sensitive and potentially distressing or disturbing content may be presented and/or discussed from time to time. This may include reference to for example, injury, illness, death and dying, and culturally sensitive issues. These topics are relevant to your learning in this unit of study and your knowledge and skill development for nursing practice. You will be advised before the information/topic is presented. If you are participating in the teaching session/activity online, you are advised to use headphones and ensure that anyone not participating in the session cannot see images that you may be watching on your device. If the nature of the content makes you feel uncomfortable or distressed, it is important that you contact the unit coordinator or another member of the academic team to discuss this with them.

Work, health and safety

All students must abide by WHS policy/guidelines/legislation.

This unit of study has specific WHS health and safety requirements for clinical placements which are outlined on the Canvas site. Additionally, off-campus clinical placements will have an orientation that covers work health and safety requirements for each site.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

This unit of study outline was last modified on 06 Feb 2025.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

NURS5082: Developing Nursing Practice

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Westmead, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect