Outline

Overview

This unit of study provides a forum for registered nurses to enhance their knowledge of clinical leadership and to develop a framework for implementing and developing their leadership in clinical practice. The structure of the unit will encourage participants to explore and analyse the topic of clinical leadership and effective workplace environments, in particular their impact on the provision of safe, high quality healthcare. Topics will include nursing leadership and management, quality and safety in healthcare, shared and clinical governance, organisational climate and culture, workplace resilience, change management and effective interdisciplinary team working. The unit of study will encourage students to reflect on their own and others clinical leadership, and how this influences the provision of safe, high quality nursing care.

Unit details and rules

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

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Donna Waters, donna.waters@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
Written exam	Assessment 2: Written Examination Short/Long answers	50%	Formal exam period Due date: 17 Jun 2026 at 10:00	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assessment 1a: Clinical Practice Improvement: Identifying the Issue Identify a clinical problem or issue for improvement	10%	Week 06 Due date: 05 Apr 2026 at 23:59	350 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 1b: Clinical Practice Improvement Presentation Oral presentation of Clinical Practice Improvement Project	15%	Week 10	Student presentation total 10 mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assessment 1c: Clinical Practice Improvement Plan Action plan for Clinical Practice Improvement Project	25%	Week 11 Due date: 17 May 2026 at 23:59	1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Assessment 1a – Clinical Practice Improvement: Identifying the Issue

Assessment 1b – Clinical Practice Project Presentation

Assessment 1c – Clinical Practice Improvement Plan

Assessment 2 - Exam

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:

See unit information *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 05	1. Introduction to leadership in health services; 2. Leadership theories and styles 3. Clinical leadership and the impact of leadership on patient outcomes, 4. groups and teams in health organisations, 5. clinical governance context and concepts	Lecture (9 hr)
	1. The complexity of healthcare: why things go wrong	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Student consultation	One-on-one supervision meeting (3 hr)
Week 06	1. Cultures of Safety in Healthcare 2. Leading and Managing Change in Health Organisations 3. Threats to quality and safety: toxic behaviours in the workplace 4. Managing Difficult People and Situations in the Workplace 5. Workplace Resilience and Caring for Self	Lecture (6 hr)
	Clinical Practice Improvement in Action	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Student consultation	One-on-one supervision meeting (2 hr)
Week 08	Pre-Asssessment Seminar 1	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 09	Pre-Assessment Seminar 2	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 10	Student Presentations - Clinical Practice Improvement Project	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The sessions for this unit of study are covered in block mode. Attendance at the study blocks is compulsory. 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 all tutorial and practical classes (clinical simulation) scheduled per unit of study.

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

i) maximum one tutorial class and one practical class absence 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 minimum 90% of all in-person or synchronous online lectures scheduled per unit of study:

Note: Students must apply for Special Consideration for absence from any scheduled required learning activity which includes an assessment.

Referencing guide: Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 7th Edition 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

You will be directed to research articles for further reading during the lectures.

It is expected that you will use research and other relevant evidence in preparing your Clinical Practice Improvement Action Plan.

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. demonstrate understanding of the theoretical frameworks underpinning leadership and critically analyse leadership behaviour from various theoretical perspectives.
LO2. differentiate between leadership and management in the clinical setting and analyse the impact of leadership behaviour in establishing and maintaining safety cultures
LO3. critique the impact of effective interdisciplinary teamworking on the provision of safe, high quality healthcare
LO4. demonstrate in-depth knowledge of clinical governance frameworks used to improve and deliver safe and high-quality care
LO5. examine the principles of working with and leading people in the clinical setting in relation to change management
LO6. evaluate the role of patient advocacy in ethical professional practice, particularly in the context of the hierarchical structures in healthcare.
LO7. Develop skills in dealing with difficult behaviours and situations in the workplace, including workplace resilience and caring for self

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

Responding to student feedback

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

No major changes have been made since this unit was last offered. There is a new coordinator.

Additional information

Teacher consultation: All questions about this unit should be directed to Professor Donna Waters, the Unit of Study coordinator. Email is the preferred method of communication. You can expect to receive a reply within 24-36 hours, except over weekends. Students can also book-in for consultation sessions on the days indicated in the timetable (5-6 pm) during Study Block 1.
Sensitive materials in teaching: Please note that in this Unit of Study sensitive and potentially distressing or disturbing content will 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 (for example, healthcare error that has resulted in the death of a patient). 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.
Referencing Style: Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th Edition Referencing Style. This is an author-date style of referencing.

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

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

SNGP3005: Clinical Leadership in Healthcare

Semester 1, 2026 [Block mode] - Singapore

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

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links