| Effective Term: | 2026/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Health and Wellbeing |
| Unit Title: | Introduction to evidence-based practice |
| Unit ID: | NURBN1102 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | (NURBN1015) |
| ASCED: | 060301 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit introduces students to the processes involved in locating, acquiring, and critically reviewing nursing evidence, teaching them how to apply research findings to clinical practice. A key focus is on understanding the hierarchy of evidence and evaluating its relevance to clinical decision-making. Students will explore how various levels of evidence contribute to safe, effective, and holistic care that meets individual patient needs. In addition, the unit enables students to critically assess the integrity and application of evidence in nursing practice. Through this, students will develop a clear understanding of ethical standards in research, ensuring they are equipped to make informed, responsible decisions in clinical settings. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | |  | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Develop the ability to locate, acquire and review evidence in nursing. |
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| K2. | Evaluate levels of evidence and how they inform clinical decision making |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Discuss EBP in relation to safe, effective, holistic person-centred care |
|
| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Develop an understanding of the principles of ethical conduct of research |
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| Other outcomes: |
| Unit Content: |
The following key standards have guided the content development of this unit: - NMBA Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (Registered nurse standards for practice, Midwife standards for practice, Code of conduct, and ICN Code of ethics for nurses)
- NSQHS National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
- National Safety and Quality Primary and Community
- ACQS Aged Care Quality Standards
- National Health Priority Areas
The content of this unit focuses on introducing essential skills in nursing research and evidence-based practice. Students will learn techniques for locating and acquiring relevant nursing evidence, including how to conduct effective literature searches. They will be introduced to various levels of evidence, such as systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials, and observational studies, learning to evaluate the quality and applicability of each to clinical practice. A core aspect of the unit is understanding how EBP informs clinical decision-making, emphasising the role of evidence in ensuring safe, effective, and holistic patient care. The unit also addresses the ethical principles guiding research, providing students with a framework for understanding the ethical considerations involved in conducting and applying research in nursing. Topics include informed consent, confidentiality, and research integrity, ensuring students can critically engage with research in an ethical and responsible manner. |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in: • Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication • Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Showing empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating a collegial environment • Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect • Inspiring and convincing others • Making informed decisions • Displaying initiative | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically • Evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information • Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts • Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | Professional Standards |
| 1. |
K1, K2 |
Critical Analysis of research evidence |
Essay |
40-60% |
|
| 2. |
K2, S1, A1 |
Evidence-based practice |
Asynchronous Oral Presentation |
40-60% |
|
| 3. |
K1, K2, S1, A1 |
Attendance at Active Learning Sessions |
80% Attendance at Active Learning Sessions |
S/U Hurdle |
|
| 4. |
K1, K2, S1, A1 |
Attendance/attempt at all assessments |
100% Attendance/attempt at assessments 1 and 2 |
S/U Hurdle |
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