Key facts
UNE unit code: HSNS171
*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - On Campus
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- 6
Unit information
To meet the fundamental care needs of patients across the lifespan in dynamic healthcare settings, your practical skills and your ability to communicate effectively with diverse colleagues, patients and their families are of critical importance.
This unit offers an opportunity to build professional relationships and essential nursing skills through hands-on experience during 80 hours of professional education practice (PEP). A range of individual and collaborative learning experiences will help you to reflect on your performance throughout the unit.
Focusing on practice skills relating to health and physical assessment, you will obtain patient-centred health information.
Integrating your knowledge and skills in safe manual handling, you will also work to enhance patient safety through activities of daily living.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 1 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
| Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | 3 days | Mandatory Intensive School | Trimester 1, Online | Mandatory on campus intensive school in Armidale for all online students. Students are only required to attend one of the intensive offerings. Details for the intensive school, including intensive school allocation, can be found in the unit myLearn site. Dates to be advised. |
Enrolment rules
Notes
This unit includes 80 hours of professional education practice.
Professional education practice will only proceed for students who meet pre-clinical requirements in the first eight weeks of their enrolment in the course and maintain the currency of these requirements throughout the duration of the course.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate the ability to meet the hygiene, nutrition and elimination, mobility and comfort needs of patients with varying needs of dependence safely and within the scope of practice;
- obtain a basic health history and conduct general physical assessment demonstrating ability to take vital signs, pain assessment, blood glucose levels, urinalysis, height and weight measurement; waist circumference across the lifespan and communicate and document findings;
- interpret health information on patients' health assessment including digital information to identify and effectively communicate abnormal findings to others within legal, ethical and scope of practice requirements;
- reflect upon professional education practice (PEP) and participation in individual and collaborative learning experiences; and
- understand and apply the principles of infection control to theoretical, simulated, and professional education practice (PEP) environments.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | Yes | 10% | All offerings | Participation for learning Attendance at a minimum of eight (8) of the weekly 2-hour workshops and eight (8) of the weekly scheduled laboratories/tutorials over the trimester OR 100% attendance at the intensive school is required to pass the unit. Students will receive a mark of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory against this assessment. *Any breach of 100% attendance will require documented evidence and make-up activities. Must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. |
| Assessment 2 - Assurance Task | Yes | 40% | All offerings | Clinical Competence Assessment (CCA) Patient assessment To pass this unit, you must achieve at least 50% in this task, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. Must pass this assessment item to progress to Professional Education Practice (PEP). |
| Assessment 3 - Assurance Task | Yes | 50% | All offerings | There is a supervised exam during the teaching period in which you are enrolled. The exam will be offered online with supervision via webcam and screen sharing technology. Coordinated by UNE Exams Unit. To pass this unit, you must achieve at least 50% in this task, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. |
| Assessment 4 - Assurance Task | Yes | All offerings | Professional Education Practice (PEP) Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory: Compulsory satisfactory to pass the unit Successful completion of 80 hours of Professional Education Practice (PEP) Must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Fundamentals of Nursing Clinical Skills Workbook
ISBN: 9780729544863
Rebeiro, G., Wilson, D., & Fuller, S., Elsevier 5th ed. 2025
Text refers to: All offerings
Potter & Perry's Fundamentals of Nursing
ISBN: 9780729544870
Crisp, J., Douglas, C., Rebeiro, G., & Waters, D, Elsevier 7th ed. 2025
Text refers to: All offerings
Excellence in experience, equity and employability
Five Stars,
20 Years in a Row
UNE is the only public uni in Australia awarded 20 straight years of five stars for Overall Experience.
Good Universities Guide 2007-2026
Five Stars for
Social Equity
UNE rates among the top 20% of universities nationally and is #1 in NSW for Social Equity.
Good Universities Guide 2026
Five Stars for
Graduate Employment
UNE rates among the top 20% of universities for Graduate Full-Time Employment and Starting Salary.
Good Universities Guide 2026 (Undergraduate)
Diamond-Rated Digital Learning
UNE’s leadership in digital learning earned the highest ‘Diamond’ rating in a peer review.
ASCILITE TELAS 2025
Studying online
At UNE we know it takes more than just being online to be a great online university. It takes time and experience. We pioneered distance education for working adults back in the 1950s, so we’ve been doing this longer than any other Australian university.
We understand the challenges faced by busy adults studying at home. We know that a vital part of online study is your engagement with the learning community. Communication with your classmates, teaching staff and university support staff will enhance your study experience and ensure that your skills extend beyond the subject matter. UNE’s teaching staff are experts in their field which is why UNE consistently receives five stars from students for teaching quality, support and overall experience.*
*The Good Universities Guide
Stay connected
Join our mailing list for updates and helpful tips to support your study plans. You can unsubscribe at any time.
- •Course updates and important changes as they happen
- •Key dates for intakes, deadlines, and enrolment steps
- •Application guidance, including supporting documentation requirements
- •Next steps and what to expect after you apply or enquire
Ready to stay in the loop?
GET IN TOUCH
Why study with us?
UNE’s flexibility and support made the transition smooth and helped me find a great balance between academic responsibilities and personal growth. It was the perfect place to study education while staying true to my rural roots.
What happens next?
Got a question about a course you'd like to study? Contact our Future Student Team for help.
2027 applications are now open. The application process only takes 20 minutes to complete. Don’t delay, apply now!
Your start date is based on the study period you choose to apply for.
