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:

2026/05

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):

(NURBN3030)

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:

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:

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.

FED TASK and descriptor		Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit
FED TASK and descriptor		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 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context
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 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context
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 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context
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 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context

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

Adopted Reference Style:

APA ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency