Outline

Overview

Due to the complexity and ever-changing nature of our healthcare systems, errors can and do occur. As such, nursing is a highly regulated profession that is bound by laws, codes, rules, policies, guidelines and standards. This unit of study is designed to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of how nursing practice is regulated through clinical governance and quality and safety frameworks, to deliver safe, high quality care to people. The important role of leadership in nursing practice for delivering safe, high quality health care is examined.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	48 credit points of 1000 level units and 36 credit points of 2000 level units
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Megan Thorn, megan.thorn@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Louise Sheehy, louise.sheehy@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Contribution	Assessment 3: In-Class Debate Students will present a 3 minute debate on a provided topic	20%	Multiple weeks	3 minute debate weeks 4-7	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assessment 5: Reflective Practice, CV Development and Selection Criteria This assessment is designed to assist students in preparing for transition to practice as a graduate RN through CV development, Addressing Selection Criteria and Reflective Practice modelled off NSW Health New Graduate job preparation.	45%	STUVAC Due date: 01 Jun 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 22 Jun 2026	CV, Selection Criteria (6 q's) + 1000wds	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assessment 1: IPL Personal Case Study Patient Safety Workshop Students must submit a short case study, approximately 200 words, based on their studies, placement or paid work. The case study will be discussed in their workshop session.	0%	Week 04 Due date: 23 Mar 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 03 Apr 2026	200 words- 30 mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Assessment 2: Interprofessional Learning Workshop Students are required to attend a full session of Interprofessional Learning associated with this course.	0%	Week 05 Due date: 02 Apr 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 17 Apr 2026	2 hrs	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 4: Quality Improvement Report Poster Students will create and present a 1-page A3 poster that explains and evaluates one aspect of the updated CEC IPC guidance.	35%	Week 08 Due date: 23 Apr 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 25 May 2026	1-A3 page poster	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1: IPL Personal Case Study (mandatory)

Assessment 2: IPL Workshop Attendance (mandatory)

Assessment 3 – In-Class Debate

Assessment 4 – Poster

Assessment 5 – CV, Selection criteria and 1000 word reflection

Please note:

Assessment 1 and 2: The Interprofessional Learning (IPL) Patient Safety Workshop is a mandatory hurdle task within this unit of study. Students who fail to meet the requirements of the task will receive an unsatisfactory grade. This may result in failing the unit of study.

Assessment 3, 4, & 5: Each student is required to submit 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 2021 (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.

Grade	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard
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)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 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. 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	Part 1. Introduction to UoS Part 2. Leadership Theory	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Teamwork and Collaboration	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Professional Standards and Codes	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Leadership & Followership	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Power, Politics, Hierarchy and the Impact of Clinical Leadership	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Power, politics, hierarchy and finding your feet as a graduate nurse	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Person Centred Care & Leadership	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Ethics & Ethical Dilemmas in practice.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Legal & Professional Dilemmas	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Legal & Professional Practice in NUrsing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Clinical Governance in Healthcare	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Patient safety & quality improvement	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Values and Leadership in Nursing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Personal Values and Leadership	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Job application & preparation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Emotional Intelligence and How to Have Hard Conversations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Interview Panel- input from Industry	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Interview skills - practical session	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Referencing style: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th edition Referencing Style. This is an author-date style of referencing.
Attendance: Attendance and participation are monitored. Students are expected to attend, engage and participate in scheduled classes and required learning activities. Students must notify the school if they are, or will be, unable to attend a required learning activity; and apply for special consideration or special arrangements; or have an academic plan with relevant adjustments, where appropriate.

(a) Students who fail to attend a required learning activity will be recorded as absent.

(b) Students must attend/participate in minimum 90% of all tutorial classes scheduled per unit of study.

(c) At the discretion of the Unit of Study Coordinator, where relevant, an alternative (catch-up) learning activity may be approved and provided to students absent from tutorials due to unforeseen circumstances or with an approved planned absence:

(i) maximum two tutorial absences permitted per unit of study where an approved alternative (catch-up) learning activity is completed.

(ii) where a student satisfactorily completes an approved alternative learning activity, this will be recorded

(d) Students must attend/participate in all practical classes (simulation labs and/or workshops) scheduled per unit of study.

(e) At the discretion of the Unit of Study Coordinator, where relevant, an alternative (catch-up) learning activity may be approved and provided to students absent from practical classes due to unforeseen circumstances or with an approved planned absence:

(i) maximum two practical class absences permitted per unit of study where an approved alternative (catch-up) learning activity is completed.

(ii) where a student satisfactorily completes an approved alternative learning activity, this will be recorded.

(f) Students must attend/participate in any live/synchronous lectures, and view any recorded lectures, specified as compulsory per unit of study.

Note: Students must apply for Special Consideration for absence from any scheduled required learning activity which includes an assessment.
Assignment formatting guidelines: Unless the unit coordinator has indicated otherwise, please make sure your submitted assessments are formatted as follows:
- font: use Calibri or Times New Roman in 11 - 12 point
- double line spacing
- margins: 2.5cm each side
- use page numbers
- refer to assessment instructions for use of title and headings

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library Reading List available via the Unit of Study Canvas site

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. Discuss the key legal, ethical and professional frameworks governing nursing practice including responsibility and accountability boundaries.
LO2. Examine, in depth, clinical governance, quality and safety frameworks and their role in improving patient care, including the role of emerging digital health technologies.
LO3. Critically analyse theoretical frameworks underpinning leadership and team working, particularly in relation to leadership and team behaviours and their impact on establishing and maintaining healthy organisation cultures and the delivery of safe, high quality patient care.
LO4. Evaluate the vital role of Registered Nurses as clinical leaders in the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
LO5. Demonstrate an understanding of what it means to be a clinical leader as a new graduate nurse.

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 - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions 1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions 2.1. Establishes, sustains and concludes relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships 2.5. Advocates on behalf of people in a manner that respects the person’s autonomy and legal capacity 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 3.4. Accepts accountability for decisions, actions, behaviours and responsibilities inherent in their role, and for the actions of others to whom they have delegated responsibilities 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice 6.3. Appropriately delegates aspects of practice to enrolled nurses and others, according to enrolled nurse’s scope of practice or others’ clinical or nonclinical roles 6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation 6.6. Uses the appropriate processes to identify and report potential and actual risk related system issues and where practice may be below the expected standards
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 1.7. Contributes to quality improvement and relevant research 2.7. Actively fosters a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports person- centered care 6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people 6.4. Provides effective timely direction and supervision to ensure that delegated practice is safe and correct 6.6. Uses the appropriate processes to identify and report potential and actual risk related system issues and where practice may be below the expected standards
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 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 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 2.6. Uses delegation, supervision, coordination, consultation and referrals in professional relationships to achieve improved health outcomes 2.7. Actively fosters a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports person- centered care 2.8. Participates in and/or leads collaborative practice 6.3. Appropriately delegates aspects of practice to enrolled nurses and others, according to enrolled nurse’s scope of practice or others’ clinical or nonclinical roles 6.4. Provides effective timely direction and supervision to ensure that delegated practice is safe and correct
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 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 2.6. Uses delegation, supervision, coordination, consultation and referrals in professional relationships to achieve improved health outcomes 2.7. Actively fosters a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports person- centered care 2.8. Participates in and/or leads collaborative practice 3.6. Actively engages with the profession 3.7. Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people 4.3. Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and well being of people and populations to determine priorities for action and/or for referral 5.2. Collaboratively constructs nursing practice plans until contingencies, options priorities, goals, actions, outcomes and timeframes are agreed with the relevant persons
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 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 2.7. Actively fosters a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports person- centered care 3.3. Uses a lifelong learning approach for continuing professional development of self and others 3.5. Seeks and responds to practice review and feedback 3.6. Actively engages with the profession 3.7. Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice 6.4. Provides effective timely direction and supervision to ensure that delegated practice is safe and correct

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
1.5		Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions
1.6		Maintains accurate, comprehensive and timely documentation of assessments, planning, decision- making, actions and evaluations
1.7		Contributes to quality improvement and relevant research
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
2.4		Provides support and directs people to resources to optimise health related decisions
2.5		Advocates on behalf of people in a manner that respects the person’s autonomy and legal capacity
2.6		Uses delegation, supervision, coordination, consultation and referrals in professional relationships to achieve improved health outcomes
2.7		Actively fosters a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports person- centered care
2.8		Participates in and/or leads collaborative practice
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
3.6		Actively engages with the profession
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
4.3		Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and well being of people and populations to determine priorities for action and/or for referral
4.4		Assesses the resources available to inform planning.
5.3		Documents, evaluates and modifies plans accordingly to facilitate the agreed outcomes
6.2		Practises within their scope of practice
6.5		Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation

Responding to student feedback

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

Changes to the unit assessment design have been made since the course was last offered in response to student feedback.

Additional information

Sensitive materials in teaching: Please note that in this Unit of Study sensitive and potentially distressing or disturbing content might be presented and/or discussed from time to time. This may include reference to for example, discrimination, assault, suicide, illness, death and dying or 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.

Faculty of Medicine and Health Handbook

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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)

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

NURS3017: Frameworks for Practice

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links