Foundations of Nursing
Overview
This unit introduces students to the foundation skills for beginning nurse practice. They will focus on clinical communication, infection control, skin integrity and personal hygiene, risk assessment, alteration in bowel and endocrine function, wound care and the provision of a safe and comfortable environment. Students will critically explore contemporary nursing roles across settings. The professional experience placement allows students to develop their foundation nursing skills and beginning capabilities to work effectively as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team.
Requisites
BIO10004 Anatomy and Physiology
Rules
Pre-requisite
NUR10001 Health Assessment and Decision Making
AND
BIO10004 Anatomy and Physiology
09-November-2025
09-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Communicate effectively (written and oral) with individuals, families, and other health team members, in an ethical, legal and professional manner
- Demonstrate appropriate nursing risk screening of individuals in a variety of contexts, including relevant documentation
- Apply the principles of pharmacology, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics necessary for medication administration
- Demonstrate safe medication calculation and administration based on current best practice standards
- Demonstrate and apply safe evidence-based nursing practice
- Apply the principles of interdisciplinary health care in nursing practice
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Lecture | 1.00 | 10 weeks | 10 |
| On-campus Practical | 2.00 | 10 weeks | 20 |
| On-campus Practical | 2.00 | 1 week | 2 |
| On-campus Class | 1.00 | 10 weeks | 10 |
| Placement Placement | 40.00 | 2 weeks | 80 |
| Specified Activities Various | 0.50 | 12 weeks | 6 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 2.00 | 11 weeks | 22 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment | Individual | 10% | 3,4 |
| Examination | Individual | 50% | 2,5,6 |
| Medication calculation test | Individual | 10% | 3,4 |
| Professional experience placement, 2 Competency Assessments | Individual | 0% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Professional experience placement, Australian Nursing Standards Assessment Tool (ANSAT) | Individual | 30% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Assessment | Individual | 0% | 3,4 |
| Examination | Individual | 0% | 2,5,6 |
| Medication calculation test | Individual | 0% | 3,4 |
| Professional experience placement, 2 Competency Assessments | Individual | 0% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Professional experience placement, Australian Nursing Standards Assessment Tool (ANSAT) | Individual | 0% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
Hurdle
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:
All students must achieve an aggregate mark of 50% or more. Conceded passes are not recognised by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council therefore conceded passes will not be granted. Clinical Learning Environment activities and Tutorials have an 80% attendance requirement as per Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council.
Content
- Communication
- Introduction to the health care team
- Clinical and therapeutic communication
- Admission, discharge
- Documentation including risk screening
- Evidence Based Safe Practice
- Infection control and aseptic technique
- Codes
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHS)
- Manual handling
- Foundation nursing skills
- Basic patient care
- Risk prevention
- Nutrition and bowels
- Shift planning
- Medication administration
- Wound care
- Oxygen administration
- Blood glucose levels
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.