NSB305 Leading and Learning: Building Professional Capacity
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | NSB305 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | Successful completion of 144cp in (NS42 or HL19) or successful completion of 288cp in (HL16 or HL17 or HL18) |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Nursing clinical practice experience is assumed knowledge |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $592 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $4,848 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | NSB305 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | Successful completion of 144cp in (NS42 or HL19) or successful completion of 288cp in (HL16 or HL17 or HL18) |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Nursing clinical practice experience is assumed knowledge |
| Coordinator: | Helen Donovan | h.donovan@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit facilitates graduating nurses' successful transition into the role of registered nurse capable of providing safe, quality, person-centred nursing care. The nurse's role in applying principles of leadership and management is emphasised. The nurse leader's influence on safe nursing practice is explored including facilitators and barriers, regulatory, legislative, and political processes in reference to consumer advocacy. The unit will explore nursing leadership and interprofessional collaboration in relation to developing and realising improvements in health outcomes. The course theme that underpins this unit is evidence-based practice.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply knowledge and skills of professional nursing practice and strategic leadership in the context of the role of the new graduate registered nurse.
- Within the context of transition to graduate nurse, employ leadership and clinical reasoning capabilities to critically evaluate practice priorities in the provision of safe, effective and holistic person-centred care.
- Interpret and apply strategic thinking and key skills relating to intraprofessional and interprofessional practice including conflict resolution, team functioning, and advanced communication.
Content
This unit focuses on preparation for your transition to beginning level practice as a registered nurse.
Key areas addressed in this unit include:
1. Professionalism and nursing practice
Recognise professional boundary principles (NMBA) and apply to context of practice to ensure public safety.
Understanding professional issues and political influences in health care organisations.
Exploring accountability and responsibility expectations when working as a registered nurse.
Understanding the influences of global health on the changing role of the nurse.
2. Leadership and team management
Analysing concepts and principles of leadership and collaboration within the context of the new graduate registered nurse's role.
Employing effective conflict resolution strategies to enable best practice team function and cohesion.
Leading as a beginning registered nurse in the roles and responsibilities of mentorship, advocacy, delegation and person-centred care.
Understanding the principles of intra-professional and inter-professional collaborative practice from a nursing context.
3. Transitioning to professional practice
Change and transition processes for the beginning registered nurse, including identity change, self and situational awareness and being a lifelong learner.
Factors influencing effective and safe transition for the graduate registered nurse, that enables positive and focussed career and professional development.
Learning Approaches
This unit will use inquiry-based learning approaches within a blended learning framework to prepare you for the Registered Nurse role in nursing practice. Learning opportunities will occur in the form of workshops and online learning activities. The teaching team will be available for consultation and discussion throughout the semester. In order to appreciate the value of peer learning and the knowledge and experience all learners gain from discussion, learning opportunities in the form of online activities will be available to you as an opportunity for collaborative learning. As an independent thinker and a lifelong learner, you will be expected to actively engage with and take responsibility for your own learning and unit success.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback on your performance in assessment tasks will be provided on an individual basis in class, online and via the Turnitin platform.
Assessment
Overview
There are two summative assessments to be completed in this unit.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Managing Conflict as a beginning Registered Nurse
This assessment is completed in two tasks:
Task 1. Complete this task during Workshop 1 in Weeks 1 or 2. You will work in a team to research an allocated topic (case study provided) and develop a resolution that addresses conflict management in the workplace for the graduate Registered Nurse (RN). You will deliver a live group power point presentation in the classroom to your peers.
Task 2. Complete one of the following options:
- Write an approximately 500-word reflection on what you learnt from the group activity.
- Complete the Nursing COMPASS leadership program and attend a minimum of five sessions across the semester.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
The reflection assessment piece is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Building Professional Capacity
This essay requires analysis and critical discussion of a focused professional practice issue that explores leadership challenges that the graduate registered nurse may experience in their first year of practice.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Participation
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is not eligible for extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
A number of texts and online resources will be recommended for this unit.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Donovan, H. (2023) Preparing for nursing practice. (1st ed.), Cengage Learning Australia
Crisp, J., Douglas, C., Rebeiro, G., Waters, D.(2026) (Eds).Potter & perry’s fundamentals of nursing. (7th ed). Elsevier.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You will be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area which will be indicated to you. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times while on campus. More information on health and safety can be obtained from http://www.hse.qut.edu.au/.