Nursing Context 9: Transitioning to Nursing Practice

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

Level of Unit in Course

AQF Level(s) of Course

Level of Unit in Course

Introductory

Intermediate

Effective Term:

2025/08

Institute / School :

Institute of Health and Wellbeing

Unit Title:

Nursing Context 9: Transitioning to Nursing Practice

Unit ID:

NURBN3032

Credit Points:

15.00

Prerequisite(s):

Nil

Co-requisite(s):

Nil

Exclusion(s):

Nil

ASCED:

060301

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

This unit aims to prepare students for a satisfying and sustainable nursing and/or midwifery career and address contemporary issues associated with making the transition from student nurse and midwife to graduate nurse and/or midwife. Students will develop an understanding of the importance and complexity of negotiating professional relationships within the workplace through solution-focused problem-solving strategies and change management principles which have direct applicability to the care of ‘self’. Students will explore the role of the Registered Nurse and/or Registered Midwife as a leader and will develop strategies for practice. The role of the Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife in the provision and maintenance of safe and quality healthcare encompassed within the National Safety and Quality Safety Standards for practice will be explored along with a consideration of the role that auditing risk provides. Students will also develop skills and attitudes required to actively participate in the employment seeking process and apply for roles within the Graduate Nurse and/or Midwife Program and beyond. Using the principles of life-long learning as the framework for a fulfilling career as a professional nurse or midwife, students will explore the various career, study and research pathways, continuing professional development pathways and engagement for career advancement.

Grade Scheme:

Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)

Work Experience Indicator:

No work experience

Placement Component: No

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:

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge:

K1.	Discuss the importance of establishing and maintaining effective professional relationships within the healthcare team

K2.	Identify attributes and behaviours that factilitate successful transition to nursing and midwifery practice

K3.	Comprehend the requirements to obtain employment in a graduate nurse or midwife program

Skills:

S1.	Research and evaluate information on transitional issues in nursing and/or midwifery

S2.	Develop strategies for change that will maintain personal and professional wellbeing

S3.	Develop a professional portfolio supporting graduate application

S4.	Review and consolidate knowledge of the current nursing and midwifery practice standards

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1.	Practice preparation for the employment process for graduate nurses and midwives

A2.	Employ principles of self-reflection to understand personal and professional growth

A3.	Critically analyse factors that influence student transition to beginning level professional nursing and/or midwifery practice

Unit Content:

The current NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice, NMBA Code of Conduct for Nurses, Code of Ethics for Nurses, National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, Aged Care Quality Standards, National Health Priority Areas and where applicable the NMBA National Competency Standards for the Midwives, NMBA Code of Conduct for Midwives, ICM/NMBA Code of Ethics for Midwives have informed the content development of this unit. This unit will introduce the student to the following topics; Introducing the concept of nursing and midwifery as a professional career through life-long learning Understanding the individual’s responsibility for maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development Understanding workplace management including patient care workload, teamwork, workplace expectations, resilience, time management, technology and quality audits Comprehending the role of the nurse and midwife, within healthcare organisations, in maintaining quality care standards such as risk management and accreditation audits Maintaining professional relationships and understanding change management Solution focused problem solving including collaboration, conflict resolution, negotiation and communication as a health care professional Developing proficient research, written, verbal and electronic skills required to actively participate in the employment processes Exploring ongoing professional development of self and others, lifelong learning and decision framework in preparation for Graduate Nurse and Graduate Midwife Program positions, gaining employment within and outside the healthcare environment, AHPRA Registrations Identifying contemporary transitional factors that influence newly registered nurses and midwives Developing strategies for minimising the impact of transitional issues in the move from student nurse or midwife to graduate nurse or midwife Understanding the concept of nurse and midwife as ‘self’, including care of self as a professional nurse and midwife, and the role of reflective journaling.

Graduate Attributes:

	Learning Outcomes Assessed	Assessment Tasks	Assessment Type	Weighting
1.	K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2, A3	Attendance at Active Learning Sessions	80% Attendance at Active Learning Sessions	S/U Hurdle
2.	K1, K2, S1, S2, A2, A3	Develop an information pamphlet to support transitional issues for nurses or midwives.	Pamphlet	30-50%
3.	K2, S3, S4, A1, A2	Compile a professional portfolio for graduate nurse and/or midwife program application	Professional Portfolio	50-70%

Adopted Reference Style:

APA ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency