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 |
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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2027, 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) |
| Coordinator: | Helen Donovan | h.donovan@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit consolidates the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired throughout the undergraduate nursing program, viewed through the lens of a graduate registered nurse transitioning into professional practice. Emphasis is placed on the development of core competencies essential for contemporary nursing, including career readiness, collaborative leadership, and the navigation of complex workplace dynamics. The unit supports graduates in integrating evidence-based practice with professional standards, preparing them to respond effectively to the challenges and responsibilities encountered in diverse healthcare settings.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically discuss the integration of professional nursing knowledge, effective communication, and leadership within the scope of practice of a graduate registered nurse delivering safe, person-centred, and evidence-informed care.
- By applying professional evidence-based knowledge and skills, demonstrate the ability to respond to changing demands of accountability, workload, and clinical expectations encountered in graduate nursing practice.
- From the position of a graduate registered nurse, interpret and apply strategic evidence based professional communication skills relating to intraprofessional and interprofessional collaborative practice to achieve effective conflict resolution, team building and lifelong learning.
Content
Key areas addressed in this unit
- Work Readiness, Employability, and Early Career Progression
Students critically reflect on their preparedness for practice, explore strategies for securing employment, and examine pathways for professional growth in the early stages of their nursing career. - Culturally Safe, Person-Centred Care Within Professional Parameters
Emphasis is placed on care that is respectful, inclusive, and aligned with professional standards, ensuring the Graduate Registered Nurse can navigate ethical and legal responsibilities while promoting culturally safe practice. - Collaborative Leadership and Professional Communication
The unit fosters the development of leadership capabilities and effective communication skills, enabling graduates to contribute meaningfully to interprofessional teams and advocate for quality care. - Workplace and Workforce Issues for the Graduate Registered Nurse
Students will explore contemporary challenges in healthcare environments, including workload management, role transition, interprofessional relationships, and resilience in the face of workplace stressors. - The Future of Nursing for the Graduate Registered Nurse
The unit encourages forward-thinking and adaptability, preparing graduates to engage with planetary health emerging trends, technologies, and evolving models of care that will shape the future of the nursing profession.
Learning Approaches
This unit uses inquiry-based and blended learning to prepare you for the Registered Nurse role. You’ll participate in workshops and online activities, supported by the teaching team for consultation and discussion. Collaborative peer learning is encouraged through group projects and online forums. You are responsible for your own learning and encouraged to actively engage with all activities. Learning support and resources are available via the Canvas Study Support navigation bar, eg. Nursing COMPASS with regular announcements to keep you informed throughout the semester.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will be provided with feedback and guidance to assist your learning throughout the semester through:
- Formative feedback in class interactions throughout semester individually and/or as a group
- Progressive feedback on online formative quizzes, presentation and leadership scenarios
- Peer and teacher interactions and feedback within workshops
- The unit coordinator and tutors will be available for consultation throughout the semester in on-campus and online contexts
Assessment
Overview
There are three 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. You will complete this assessment task during Workshop 1 in Weeks 1 or 2. You will be required to 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 RN.graduate Registered Nurse (RN). You will present a live group power point presentation in the classroom to your peers.
Task 2. Then you will complete one of the following options:
- Write a 500-word reflection on what you learnt from the group activity.
- Meet the selection criteria for the Nursing COMPASS peer mentoring program and attend a minimum of five (1 hour sessions) across the semester.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this activity assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
The reflection part of this assessment 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-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/.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.NS42 Bachelor of Nursing
- Utilise critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and digital literacy skills to make ethical and sustainable evidence-based decisions and evaluate outcomes.
Relates to: Managing Conflict as a beginning Registered Nurse - Implement effective communication skills, therapeutic relationships, and professional capabilities to practice as a registered nurse independently and in inter- and intra-professional healthcare teams, to ensure safe, person-centred, evidence-based care.
Relates to: Managing Conflict as a beginning Registered Nurse, Building Professional Capacity - Advocate for positive individual and community health outcomes in dynamic healthcare contexts using foundational leadership capabilities.
Relates to: ULO3, Building Professional Capacity, Participation