Outline

Overview

This unit of study explores nursing knowledge from a variety of perspectives and in doing so allows students to develop the knowledge and skills required for nursing in contemporary health care settings. Students will examine the important contribution of knowledge to evidence-based nursing practice and will develop the skills required to search for, retrieve and critically evaluate literature. Students will also develop and refine skills needed to demonstrate their own knowledge and understanding in academic work. Students will have the opportunity to explore the historical background and current debates relevant to nursing knowledge and practice. This will be achieved through the study of ideas and seminal literature from discrete periods in time including the Nightingale era, the scientific age and the technological period. Students will also critically analyse current issues affecting nurses and healthcare in Singapore including the ageing population, socio-political issues, technology and globalisation and the impact that these are having on nursing knowledge.

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	Jacqueline Bloomfield, jacqueline.bloomfield@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Assessment 4: Written exam Written exam comprising short and/or long answer questions.	50%	Formal exam period Due date: 26 Nov 2025 at 10:00	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assessment 1: Academic referencing activity Written assignment	10%	Week 01 Due date: 10 Jul 2025 at 23:59	Approximately 1- 1.5 pages (200 words).	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	Assessment 3: Quiz 30 multiple-choice questions. To be completed in-class on pen and paper.	20%	Week 09 Closing date: 03 Oct 2025	1 hour.	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 2: Group work and presentation Group work and presentation.	20%	Week 09 Due date: 30 Sep 2025 at 23:59	Group Written component: 500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1: Academic Referencing Activity - This assessment aims to enhance your development of important academic skills that you will need to use within this unit of study and throughout the rest of your degree studies.
Assessment 2: Group work and presentation - In small groups students are to work together to use generative AI to create an image that represents the future of healthcare in Singapore. Four (4) key words should be chosen by the group to inform the creation the image. Each group will present the poster during a tutorial, and a written account (500 words) justifying the choice of the words will be submitted by the group. References must be used
Assessment 3: In-class quiz - 30 MCQs related to unit content and readings.
Assessment 4: Written formal exam - This 2-hour exam will include questions addressing all unit content.

Please note: Each student is required to submit/attend all assessment items in order to be eligible to pass this unit. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Please note: Each student is required to submit all assessment items, and each submission needs to be of an assessable standard, in order to be eligible to pass this unit. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (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.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

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
Mid-semester break	No Description	Lecture and tutorial (10 hr)
Week 01	No Description	Lecture and tutorial (10 hr)
Week 02	No Description	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 03	No Description	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 04	No Description	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 05	No Description	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 06	No Description	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 06	No Description	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 07	No Description	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 08	No Description	Lecture and tutorial (10 hr)
Week 09	No Description	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 10	No Description	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 11	No Description	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 12	No Description	Independent study (10 hr)
Week 13	No Description	Independent study (10 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

It is expected that all students participate and fully engage with this unit of study by attending all teaching-related activity (e.g. lectures, tutorials, laboratories, workshops), being prepared for tutorials and laboratories or workshops, contributing to discussions in class and online, and providing and receiving feedback in a respectful and professional manner.

In line with the Singapore Nursing Board (SNB) accredited curriculum, students are required to attend a minimum of 90% of all lectures, and 100% of tutorials, clinical simulation laboratories or workshops. Students who are absent for more than 10% of classes in a particular unit of study in any one semester, without permission or approval from the Unit of Study Coordinator are at risk of being deemed to have failed that unit of study.

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 guided by the Unit of Study coordinator regarding required and recommended readings.

This information will also be available on Canvas and identified on lecture slides.

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. search for, locate and retrieve literature relevant to nursing knowledge
LO2. critique the literature on the origins of nursing knowledge at a beginning level
LO3. demonstrate a comprehensive and critical understanding of what constitutes a discipline and the contribution of how theories and paradigms relate to the development and articulation of nursing knowledge
LO4. articulate the ways in which nursing knowledge and practice(s) have evolved and been described by key authors and theorists
LO5. demonstrate in-depth knowledge of socio-cultural, historical, technological, economic and political processes that impact on nursing knowledge
LO6. identify and critically discuss current issues faced by nurses in Singapore including the ageing population, technology and globalisation and the impact of these on nursing knowledge.

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.

The unit is reviewed on an annual basis and changes made in accordance with Unit of Study Survey results and student feedback.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

SNGP3012: Knowledge for Contemporary Nursing

Semester 2, 2025 [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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links