Bachelor of Nursing

Bachelor of Nursing
Workplace Learning Handbook
July 2022
School of Nursing, Paramedicine & Healthcare Sciences
Bachelor of Nursing
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Contents
1. Welcome ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
2. Workplace Learning Staff ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5
2.1. The Faculty of Science WPL Team ……………………………………………………………………………………… 5
2.2. Subject Coordinator …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
2.3. Associate Head of School (WPL) ………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
2.4. Discipline Lead Nursing ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
2.5. Clinical Preceptor………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
2.6. Clinical Facilitator………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
3. Overview of WPL in the BN……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7
3.1. Placement Settings and Locations ………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
3.2. Placement Hours ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
4. Placement Allocation ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
4.1. InPlace…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
4.2. WPL Calendar ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
4.3. Placement Allocation Frequently Asked Questions………………………………………………………………… 9
5. Preparing for your placement………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12
5.1. Student Registration ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12
5.2. Verification ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 13
5.3. Site-Specific Requirements ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14
5.4. Rosters…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14
5.5. Placement Site Orientation ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 15
5.6. Contacting the Placement Site ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 15
5.7. Uniform ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16
5.8. Travel and Accommodation Costs……………………………………………………………………………………… 18
5.9. Paid Employment During Placement………………………………………………………………………………….. 18
5.10. Travelling to Placement ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 18
5.11. Preparing for Your Placement Frequently Asked Questions………………………………………………….. 19
5.12. Pre-Placement Checklist ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20
6. Attending Placement …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 21
6.1. The First Day ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 21
6.2. Items to Take to Placement Each Day ……………………………………………………………………………….. 22
6.3. Professional Behaviour on Placement………………………………………………………………………………… 22
6.4. Scope of Practice and the Student Registered Nurse…………………………………………………………… 22
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6.5. Illness or Misadventure During Placement ………………………………………………………………………….. 24
6.6. Make-Up Placements ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 25
6.7. Conflicts of Interest on Placement……………………………………………………………………………………… 25
6.8. Workplace Safety and Risk Management …………………………………………………………………………… 26
7. Assessment of Learning on Placement …………………………………………………………………………………. 28
7.1. The Australian Nursing Standards Assessment Tool (ANSAT) ……………………………………………… 28
7.2. Submitting Your ANSAT …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 28
7.3. Unsatisfactory Performance on Placement …………………………………………………………………………. 29
8. Who to Contact, When? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 33
8.1. Response Times……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 33
8.2. Complaints……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 33
Appendix 1. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 37
Bachelor of Nursing Student Scope of Practice Document ………………………………………………………………. 37
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1. Welcome
Welcome to the School of Nursing, Paramedicine &Healthcare Science (SNPHS) at Charles Sturt
University (Charles Sturt). This handbook has been developed to support you as you undertake the
Workplace Learning (WPL) components of the Bachelor of Nursing (BN). WPL provides you with the
opportunity to apply and consolidate your theoretical knowledge and develop your clinical skills in
practice-based settings. These settings include primary, secondary and tertiary health services located
in remote, rural, regional and some metropolitan areas. Ultimately, participation in WPL enables
graduates to make a more effective transition from the university context into the workforce.
This handbook should be read in conjunction with the Subject Outline for each WPL subject and the
relevant Charles Sturt University policies, in particular:
• Assessment – Conduct of Coursework Assessment and Examinations Procedure
• Assessment Policy
It is essential that you read the contents carefully as it contains essential information to guide and assist
you with:
• preparing for your placements;
• understanding expectations and requirements during your placements; and
• submitting your placement documentation at the end of your placements.
We trust that you will find all of your placements to be worthwhile and enjoyable experiences that will
prepare for a long and rewarding career in nursing.
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2. Workplace Learning Staff
Throughout your course, you will be supported to successfully complete your WPL placements by a
group of academic, administrative and clinical staff. The key roles, their responsibilities and their
contact details are outlined below and summarised in Table 1. For a quick guide on who to contact
when, please see WPL Communication Flow Chart 3: Who to Contact with Questions and Issues on
page 33.
2.1. The Faculty of Science WPL Team
The Faculty of Science (FOS) WPL Team consists of administrative staff who are directly responsible for
booking WPL placements and then allocating them to students. They also oversee student verification for
placement and the filing of placement documentation.
2.2. Subject Coordinator
Your subject coordinator is responsible for managing the delivery of subject content and the assessment of
student learning across all campuses and cohorts. Subject Coordinators for WPL subjects advise the FOS
WPL Team of the suitability of placement sites, approve changes to placement allocations when a student
experiences extenuating circumstances, oversees the assessment of WPL placements and coordinates the
provision of support to students while on placement.
2.3. Associate Head of School Nursing
Associate Head of School (AHOS) is responsible for the administration WPL within the SNMIH. This
includes overseeing risk assessments on potential placement sites, approving Student Placement
Agreements (SPAs) with placement sites and promoting the welfare of students while on placement.
2.4. Workplace Learning Lead Nursing
The Workplace Lead plays a key role in the management of the student experience on placement.
This includes supporting Clinical Subject Convenors with the management of the WPL components
of subjects and assisting the AHOS in promoting the welfare of students on placement.
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2.5. Clinical Preceptor
Clinical preceptors work one-on-one with students to supervise the provision of nursing care during a WPL
placement.
2.6. Clinical Facilitator
The Clinical Facilitator works with a group of students on a WPL placement to assist them to develop
the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
(NMBA) RN Standards for Practice.
The table below summarises the key staff members involved in WPL, their key responsibilities and their
contact details.

Staff Member
Key Responsibilities
Contact Details

Faculty of Science
(FOS) WPL Team
Booking placements, allocating
placements, overseeing student
verification
FOS-WPL@csu.edu.au

WPL Subject
Coordinator
Advise the WPL team on the
suitability of placements, approve
changes to placement allocations,
oversee the assessment of WPL,
provide support to students during
WPL placements
See Subject Outline for
relevant WPL subject

AHOS
Risk assessment of placement sites,
approval of Student Placement
Agreements, student welfare on
WPL
SNMIH-Office@csu.edu.au

Workplace Lead
Nursing
Supports WPL subject convenors to
manage the WPL components of
subjects and manage student
welfare on placement.
WPLNursingLead@csu.edu.au

Clinical Facilitator or
Preceptor
Supports and supervises student
learning on placement
InPlace

Table 1: Key Workplace Learning Staff
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3. Overview of WPL in the BN
3.1. Placement Settings and Locations
While on placement, you will experience different acuity or complexity levels of the patients,
consumers, clients and residents to whom you will provide healthcare. This means that you may
be allocated placements in any of the following settings:
• Primary healthcare settings in rural and remote locations. For example, general practices,
community managed organisations, schools, step-up/step-down facilities;
• Secondary healthcare settings. For example, medical or surgical wards, community health
centres, mental health facilities, aged care facilities and palliative care facilities; and
• Tertiary healthcare settings. For example, rural referral hospitals, forensic facilities, dual
disability services and paediatric units.
Charles Sturt is a regional university and many of our placements are located in regional and rural
areas. It is important to note that regional and rural placements offer students an important means
of obtaining a full range of experiences, often not available in specialist metropolitan settings. A limited
number of placements are available in metropolitan locations.
3.2. Compulsory Placement Hours
The Nurses Registration Board requires students to complete 800 hours of Workplace Learning to be
eligible to Register as an RN.
Students commencing the BN from 202260 will complete a total of 800 hours of placement across six WPL
subjects. It is possible to reduce your yearly placement requirements by moving to part-time study mode.
Table 2 summarises the placement hours for each subject. Some of you may have received credit for
some of these subjects and the associated placement hours.
From 202260 session:

Subject
Placement Hours

NRS 173: Nursing
Workplace Learning 2
80 hours (2 weeks)

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NRS276: Nursing
Workplace Learning 3
160 hours (4 weeks)

NRS282: Nursing
Workplace Learning 4
160 hours (4 weeks)

NRS386 Nursing
Workplace Learning 5
200 hours (5 weeks)

NRS398 Nursing
Workplace Learning 6
200 hours (5 weeks)

Table 2: Placement hours for students commencing WPL from 2021
Table 3 below summarises the placement hours for students who commenced the BN prior to 2021.

Subject
Placement Hours

NRS122
80 hours (2 weeks)

NRS211
160 hours (4 weeks)

NRS222
80 hours (2 weeks)

NRS223
80 hours (2 weeks)

NRS311
80 hours (2 weeks)

NRS312
200 hours (5 weeks)

NRS327
160 hours (4 weeks)

Table 2: Placement hours for students commencing the WPL subjects before 2021
4. Placement Allocation
4.1. InPlace
InPlace is the online software application that the FOSH-WPL team uses to coordinate and manage WPL
information and allocations for each student. It also provides a portal for students to easily access all of the
required details about your WPL activities across the course.
All of your upcoming placement details will be entered into InPlace when your allocations are finalised, and
you will also be notified of all allocations by email. It is therefore important that you check InPlace regular
and ensure that your registered contact details are up to date.
You will be provided with access to InPlace as soon as you enrol in a WPL subject. It can be found at the
following URL: https://myworkplacelearning.csu.edu.au/. Further information about the use of InPlace is
available from the FOSH WPL Interact2 site.
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4.2. WPL Calendar
The WPL Calendar for each year is published on the BN Interact2 site at the end of the preceding
year. Each WPL subject is allocated several possible blocks of time on the WPL Calendar. Within
these blocks of time, placements may be allocated to each student as a single block that includes
all of the required hours for a subject, or the allocation may be split into one, two, three or four week
blocks.
4.3. Placement Allocation Frequently Asked Questions
Can I nominate the dates of my placements?
If there is a particular block or blocks of placement on the WPL calendar for your subject that would
be more suitable to you, can enter this information into the Extenuating Circumstances/Comments
box in InPlace. It is recommended that you do this as soon as possible after the calendar becomes
available to allow the WPL team to take this information into account. The WPL team will use this
information to guide their allocations, but their ability to meet your requirements is dependent on the
availability of suitable placements.
Can I ask for split placements?
Yes. Students often prefer split placements as they can make it easier to manage time off work and away
from home. You can also enter this request into the Extenuating Circumstances/Comments box in InPlace.
Once again, the WPL Team’s ability to meet this request will be dependent on the availability of suitable
placements.
Can I nominate the location of my placements?
The FOS-WPL team does not use a preference system to allocate placements. There are several
reasons for this:
• The placements made available to the WPL team byvarious health services and organisations
vary from session to session and year to year.
• Each placement is organised to meet the specific learning outcomes of each subject and certain
sites will not meet the requirements of some subjects;
• Charles Sturt University must sign legal Student Placement Agreements (SPAs) with specific
health services prior to any student attending the placement in that location. This legal
agreement outlines all the requirements that must be met by the University prior to a student
attending the placement, including insurance cover. We do not currently have SPAs in all
possible placement locations.
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Instead of a preference system, the FOSH WPL team asks students to nominate several preferred
geographical locations or postcodes in InPlace (see Figure 1). This provides the team with an
indication of the geographical areas where it would be more convenient for you to attend placement,
such as areas where you have access to accommodation with family or friends. It does not however
guarantee a placement in these areas, as these are always subject to availability and
suitability. It is therefore recommended that in addition to your local area, you nominate several
preferred geographical areas.
Figure 1: Placement area nomination in InPlace
How far will I have to travel to my allocated placement?
As stated earlier in this handbook, most of our placements are located in rural and remote areas. In order to
experience a range of clinical settings and contexts, it is likely that you will have to travel away from home for
some, or even all your placements. However, whenever possible the WPL team will endeavour to allocate
you a placement as close to home or one of your nominated areas as possible, and you will not be expected
to travel more than five hours from home unless you ask or agree to do so.
Can I organise my own placement?
You are not permitted to negotiate your own placements. There are two main reasons for this:
• Placements are negotiated and confirmed at the organisational level in a process that can
only be conducted by the FOS WPL Team and AHOS (WPL). This process includes the
consideration of legal and insurance provisions, along with the finalisation of Student
Placement Agreements (SPAs).
• Health services are busy places and few placement sites welcome unsolicited approaches from
students in relation to the organisation of placements.
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Is it possible to change the location or timing of my allocated placement?
Most issues with the location and timing of placements can be avoided with the timely use of the
placement nomination system and the Extenuating Circumstances/Comment box in InPlace.
If you do have an issue with the timing and/or location of your allocated placement, you should
contact your Subject Coordinator as soon as possible after receiving notification of the allocation.
WPL Flow Chart 3: Who to Contact with WPL Questions and Issues on page 33 summarises this
process
In some extenuating circumstances, a change to your placement may be actioned. Any such change
requires the approval of a Special Consideration application by the Subject Coordinator and the Head
of School. Where a placement change is approved, the allocation of a suitable new placement may
be delayed.
For more information about WPL and extenuating circumstances, please refer to the following CSU policies:
• Coursework and Subject Delivery and Management Procedure
• Assessment – Conduct of Coursework Assessment and Examinations Procedure
• Assessment Flexibility Procedure
In accordance with the Assessment Policy, and the Assessment Flexibility Procedure social events,
holidays, routine work commitments and childcare do not meet the criteria for illness, misadventure
or extenuating circumstances. You are therefore encouraged to review the relevant dates on the WPL
Calendar before making arrangement to attend social events or go on holiday during the designated
placement block for your subject. As stated above, you can enter preferred dates into InPlace. This must be
done prior to your placement being allocated.
If you decide to formally decline a placement or do not attend an allocated placement without
approved Special Consideration, a new placement will not be allocated. This will result in an
US grade for the WPL related assessment task and a FL grade in the subject. It is strongly
recommended that you seek the advice of your Subject Coordinator before making such a decision.
Can I swap placements with another student?
The administration of placement swaps can be very complex. Therefore, placement swaps are not permitted
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underany circumstances.
Can I attend placement where I work?
Many BN students are employed by health services and aged care providers as Endorsed Enrolled
Nurses (EEN) or Assistants in Nursing. Attending placement in your workplace can be problematic.
You may find it more difficult to remain within the scope of practice of a student registered nurse and
it may be difficult for staff to separate your usual role from your student role. The Subject Convenor
and the Workplace Learning Lead will consider several factors when determining if a placement in
your workplace is appropriate, including the size of your facility and your role within that facility. For
example, in a larger facility it may be possible to place you on a different ward to your usual place
of employment.
If you currently work in a health facility, it is recommended that you enter this information into the
extenuating circumstances/comments box in InPlace. If you are allocated a placement at your
workplace, you should contact your Subject Coordinator for advice as soon as possible.
5. Preparing for your placement
5.1. Student Registration
The NMBA regulates the practice of nursing and midwifery in Australia in accordance with the
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (National Law). Under the National Law, all nursing
students who undertake WPL must be registered as a student with the NMBA. You are not
required to complete any paperwork to be registered as a student. It is the responsibility of the
SNPHS to submit the required paperwork to the NMBA and your student registration remains
current for the duration of your enrolment in the course.
In certain circumstances, the National Law requires education providers to make a notification to the
NMBA about a student. This applies to students who have:
• a health impairment to such a degree that there may be substantial risk of harm to the public;
• been found guilty of an offence punishable by 12 months imprisonment or more
• a conviction of, or are the subject of, a finding of guilt for an offence punishable by
imprisonment, or
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• contravened an existing condition or undertaking.
The NBMA are not concerned with matters relating to academic progress or conduct as it is
expected that these will be dealt with at the University level. Any decision to make a notification to
the NMBA about at student is made following full consultation with the AHOS and WPL Lead, the
Head of School and the Faculty of Science Sub Dean for WPL.
This fact sheet from the NMBA contains more information about student registration.
5.2. Verification
Before you commence your first placement, you must be “verified” by NSW Health and Charles Sturt
University. This requires the submission the following documentation:
• A current and valid First Aid Certificate, or evidence of satisfactory completion of the Basic Life
Support component of the annual mandatory training completed at your workplace. Please note, the
latter will need to be submitted annually;
• A current and valid Mental Health First Aid Certificate;
• Immunisation record with documentation of all NSW Health immunisation requirements;
• NSW Health Attachment 7: Tuberculosis (TB) Assessment Tool;
• Completed NSW Health Attachment 6: Undertaking/Declaration Form;
• Completed NSW Health Code of Conduct Agreement for Students;
• Completed National Criminal Record Check (valid for 3 years); and
• Completed Working with Children Check
• Covid vaccinations x 3
Verification with NSW Health must be achieved regardless the state or territory you live in. This is
because verification requirements are consistent across Australia. If you can achieve verification in
NSW, we can be confident that you will be able to achieve verification in other states and territories
if required.
Students who are currently employed by NSW Health must also achieve verification as a student.
This is a NSW Health requirement as student verification is administered separately to employee
verification.
Students who are not verified will not be allocated a placement. It can take time to gather the required
verification paperwork and for it to be processed by NSW Health. We therefore recommend that you
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commence this process as soon as possible after enrolling. The FOSH-WPL team is responsible for the
administration of verification and they have provided detailed information on the process on their FOSH WPL
Interact2 Site. Please make sure you access all the resources provided and follow all instructions carefully.
Any questions about verification should be directed to the FOS WPL team at FOSH-WPL@csu.edu.au.
5.3. Site-Specific Requirements
Some placement sites, including interstate and private facilities have additional pre-preplacement
requirements. More information about this is available from InPlace and the FOSH WPL-Interact2 site. It is
important that you check these carefully for all placements as non-completion by the deadline specified may
result in the health facility cancelling the placement. If this occurs, the WPL team will not source an
alternated placement, resulting in a Fail (FL) grade for the subject.
5.4. Rosters
Throughout the course, you will be assigned a range of different shifts that reflect the normal shift
requirements of a registered nurse.
You are not permitted to make your own arrangements for make-up time with the placement site.
This includes working extra days or longer hours to make up the time. Lost hours of WPL due to
illness, Special Consideration etc are allocated in third year WPL Subjects.
First Year Students
First year students undertake shifts Monday to Friday. You will be rostered for morning (AM) and
afternoon (PM) shifts. First year students are not approved to work Night Shift (N) shifts, work longer
than an 8 hour shift or work weekends. If there is a Public Holiday scheduled during your placement you
will not be attending and you will need to notify your Subject Convenor and WPL team.
You also need to document PH (Public Holiday) on the ANSAT tool.
Second Year Students
Second year students undertake shifts from Monday to Friday. You will be rostered for morning (AM), and
afternoon (PM) shifts. Second year students are not permitted to work Night Shift (N). Your rosters on
placement are determined by each site. Some sites offer 10-12hours shifts in high dependency areas.
Students are NOT permitted to work 10-12 hour shifts unless these shifts are already offered at the
site as part of the rotating roster.
The hours you work are to be negotiated with your Subject Convenor and in line with the Australian
Nursing & Midwifery Federation-Fatigue Prevention Policy. You will not be attending on a weekend. If there
is a Public Holiday scheduled during your placement you will be able to attend if the site determines that
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there is clinical supervision. If clinical supervision is able to be provided, you are required to notify your
Subject Convenor and WPL team to ensure that your WPL hours are recorded accurately.
Third Year Students
Third year students are usually allocated a full rotating roster inclusive of morning (AM), afternoon (PM),
weekends, public holidays and night duty (N). Your rosters on placement are determined by each site.
Some sites offer 10-12hours shifts in high dependency areas. Students are NOT permitted
to work 10-12 hour shifts unless these shifts are already offered at the site as part of
the rotating roster. The hours you work are to be negotiated with your Subject Convenor
and in line with the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation-Fatigue Prevention Policy. If
there is a Public Holiday scheduled during your placement you will be able to attend if the
site determines that there is clinical supervision. If clinical supervision is able to be provided
you are required to notify your Subject Convenor and WPL team to ensure that your WPL
hours are recorded accurately.
Your rosters on placement are determined by each placement site. Details of your rosters are provided on
InPlace.
5.5. Placement Site Orientation
Most placement sites will provide formal orientation for students on the first day of placement. This may
involve a later start time on the first day. Your start time on the first day and the designated meeting
place will also be provided on InPlace.
5.6. Contacting the Placement Site
Some placement sites require students to make contact prior to the commencement of a placement, while
others request not to have this contact. The latter is due to staffing considerations and does not reflect a
health facility’s willingness to welcome students. As guests in the health facility, it is important that you
adhere to whatever the site requirements are. You can find information on contact requirements and details
on InPlace.
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5.7. Uniform
You will be required to wear your SNPHS authorised uniform on most placements. Some placements may
not require a uniform. If this is the case, you will be notified with your allocation and you must still adhere to
the dress code of the facility.
When in uniform, you are clearly identifiable as a Charles Sturt University nursing student and you
should always therefore maintain a high standard of behaviour. You are advised not to wear your
uniform to locations other than your allocated placement site or the on-campus simulation
laboratories. If you are unable to comply with the uniform policy while undertaking a placement,
please contact your Subject Convenor.
In addition to wearing a uniform, there are also specific requirements for nurses in relation jewellery
and long hair that are aimed at maintaining patient safety and infection control. Clinical Facilitators
and Preceptors may provide feedback in relation to your uniform and may also ask you to remove
items of jewellery or put your hair up. If you do not adhere to these policies or requests, it is likely
that you will be asked to leave the placement. This may result in an Unsatisfactory grade for the
WPL assessment item and a FL grade in the subject.
Table 3 below outlines the uniform requirements. Please note the shirt and pants must be purchased from
the Charles Sturt University Online Shop . All uniform items must be washed and ironed daily. Shoes must
be clean, and sneakers or joggers are not permitted.
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Item of Clothing
Description

Shirt
Charles Sturt University issue SNPHS shirt.
NOTE: There is a “bare below the elbow” infection
control edict in place in all health facilities. This
requirement must always be adhered to during
placement. Long-sleeved skivvies/t-shirts are NOT
to be worn underneath the shirt.

Vest/Jumper/ Cardigan/ Jacket
Black only
Vests with the SNPHS logo can be purchased from
the online shop or Charlie’s Store on campus
Vests, jumpers and cardigans must not be worn in
patient care areas.

Trousers
Charles Sturt SNMIH issue scrub pants only.
Other scrub pants are not permitted.

Shoes
Black shoes only
All shoes must be fully enclosed and cover the
entire foot
Leather or substitute leather uppers are required –
no joggers, clogs or slip-on shoes are permitted

Socks
Black

Watch
Fob or swing watch only
No wrist watches due to the infection risk

Jewellery
Rings – one plain wedding band or similar
Earrings – studs or sleepers only, one pair per ear
only
Other piercings – you must comply with facility
requests to remove these if asked
Necklaces – not permitted
Fingernails- no acrylic type nails are permitted

Table 3: SNMIH WPL Uniform Requirements
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5.8. Travel and Accommodation Costs
You are required to meet the travel and accommodation costs associated with your WPL placements. There
are several steps you can take to reduce the financial burden of traveling for placement, including:
• Nominating geographical areas for placement where you have access to accommodation
with family or friends;
• Many placement sites offer accommodation at reasonable prices. Further information is
available from InPlace.
• Applying for an accommodation scholarship or grant. There are several available. You can
find more information from the BN Interact2 Site.
5.9. Paid Employment During Placement
While the SNPHS acknowledges that WPL requirements may disrupt your normal working arrangements, it
is recommended that you take leave during your WPL placements, or at the very least, make arrangements to
ensure that your paid employment does not pose a threat to your safety or patient safety. For example, it is
unsafe to attend placement on a morning shift after having completed a night shift at your place of
employment. Where a Clinical Facilitator and/or Subject Convenor becomes aware of such a situation, the
placement may be cancelled.
5.10. Travelling to Placement
When planning travel, you must carefully consider factors that may impact on your personal safety including
distance, speed, fatigue, alcohol, vehicle condition and weather/driving conditions. You are advised to arrange
reliable and safe transport to the placement site well in advance of the commencement of the placement. You
are also advised to consider the distance between your home and placement and determine if this is safe
distance to travel each day, including after evening and night shifts if applicable. You may then determine that
it is safer to arrange temporary accommodation close to the placement site. In this case, it is recommended
that you review your potential need for your own travel insurance.
You should NOT transport patients nor clients nor items related to the care of the patient between
facilities in your own vehicle under any circumstances.
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5.11. Preparing for Your Placement Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request shifts?
Working a rotating roster is part of the working life of most registered nurses. It is not possible for you to
request specific shifts such as all mornings, all afternoons, or no night duty. Similarly, you cannot request
changes to normal start or finish times.
One off changes to shifts may be arranged in extenuating circumstances. This would need to be approved
by both the placement site and the Subject Convenor.
Can I attend placement if I am pregnant?
Yes, you can. However, there are some clinical settings that won’t be suitable due to hazards that
may be encountered. The SNPHS is committed to guarding the student who is pregnant against
adverse events. If you know that you will be pregnant when undertaking a placement, you should seek
advice from your Subject Convenor soon as possible.
If you are allocated a placement in the third trimester of your pregnancy OR up to 6 weeks postnatal,
you MUST notify the Subject Convenor. This is because it will be necessary to apply to the health
facility for specific permission for you to attend the placement. In addition, you will need to discuss
your proposed placement with your obstetrician, general practitioner or midwife and obtaining a
certificate to state that you are fit for placement. This must then be provided to your Subject
Convenor and WPL.
A decision whether to defer part or all of a placement will be made in light of the stage of the pregnancy,
your health, and practical requirements of the WPL experience. This decision will be made by the
Clinical Subject Coordinator, in consultation with the Discipline Lead and / or AHOS-WPL
When a decision to defer part or all of a placement for WPL is made, you will be awarded a ‘Grade
Pending’ (GP) under Academic Regulations, with arrangements to complete the deferred placement
within a time- frame that meets University requirements. The final decision regarding timing will rest
with the relevant WPL Subject Coordinator.
Can I attend placement if I am on restricted duties to injury/ illness/ disability?
You are required to notify your WPL Subject Convenor if you have any restrictions on your work due
to prior injuries, any limitations on your activities due to Workers’ Compensation restrictions or have
a current Workers’ Compensation Claim in progress.
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If you have a Workers’ Compensation claim in progress, you will not be able to undertake your
placement until after the claim has been finalised. When the claim has been finalised, a Fit for Work
Certificate from a medical practitioner must be submitted to the WPL Nursing Lead and WPL , 15
working days prior to placement for WPL being undertaken. If the required documentation is not
received in time, the placement will be cancelled.
5.12. Pre-Placement Checklist
The checklist below has been developed to help you ensure that you are adequately prepared for all of your
placements. This Checklist will help you to prepare for each of your WPL experiences. Please complete the
checklist prior to every placement for WPL. The checklist is for your own use and does not need to be
submitted.
BN Pre WPL Checklist

WPL Requirements
Completed

Read the NMBA Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses, Code of
Ethics for Nurses and Professional Boundaries for Nurses, available on
BN WPL Interact2 site.


Read the BN WPL Handbook 2022 available on BN Interact2 site via the
link titled: ‘Workplace Learning’.


Listened to 3 videos on FOSH WPL Interact2 site, via the link titled: ‘Pre
WPL Information’.

Valid and current First Aid Certificate or equivalent submitted to InPlace


Valid and current Mental Health First Aid Certificate submitted to InPlace


Valid and current Working with Children Check submitted to InPlace.


Valid and current National Police Certificate submitted to NSW Heath
and InPlace.

Submitted all required verification documentation to NSW Health and
received confirmation of verification status. See the FOSH WPL
Interact2 site for details of requirements.


Checked InPlace for additional site-specific requirements and addressed
all of these requirements.


Obtained the correct SNPHS WPL uniform (see page 16 of the BN WPL
Handbook 2022).


Received a BN Placement Care from the FOSH-WPL team and obtained
a holder.


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Printed the relevant Australian Nursing Standards Assessment Tool
(ANSAT) from the subject Interact2 site.


Printed a copy of the SNPHS BN Scope of Practice document from the
BN WPL Handbook 2022 or the BN Interact2 site.


Table 4: Pre WPL Checklist
6. Attending Placement
6.1. The First Day
It is important that you present to your first day of placement on time, in correct uniform and adequately
prepared. Although NSW Health processes verification electronically, some placement sites may still ask to
see your original documentation. It is also important to make sure you have completed any site-specific preplacement requirements. You are required to take the following items to your first day of placement:
• Placement ID Card (and holder). This card is issued at no cost by the FOSH WPL Team
before your first placement with. (NOTE: There is a fee of $25 for a replacement badge).
You will need to purchase a plastic card holder for your identification badge and these are
available from the Online Shop of Charlie’ Store outlet on campus. If you have not received
CSU Placement ID Card before placement you will need to email FOSH-WPL@csu.edu.au;
• Original and current First Aid Certificate or relevant mandatory training documentation;
• All verification documentation relevant to the facility (originals or certified copies). You will
need to take the originals or certified copies of all documents;
• Any site-specific requirements;
• Your ANSAT: and
• The BN Student Scope of Practice document (Appendix 1)
As a guest in health facilities, you have a professional obligation to abide by their requirements. If you
present to placement unprepared, you will be sent home and the rest of your placement cancelled.
If this occurs a new placement will not be sought, and you will be awarded a FL grade in the
subject.
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6.2. Items to Take to Placement Each Day
• Placement ID Card and holder
• ANSAT
• BN Student Scope of Practice document
• Swing or fob watch with second hand/digital
• Small pocket-sized notebook
6.3. Professional Behaviour on Placement
All BN students are required to demonstrate a high standard of professional behaviour on all placements.
This forms part of your assessment against the NMBA RN standards of practice and demonstrates respect
for the health services and their staff. Examples of unprofessional behaviour include, but are not limited to:
• Lateness;
• Incorrect uniform and / or poor presentation;
• Failure to comply with health service requests in relation to uniform, footwear, hair or jewellery;
• Personal use of mobile phones or other electronic devices in the clinical area;
• Rudeness to staff;
• Failure to accept constructive feedback;
• Breaches in confidentiality;
• Engaging in workplace gossip.
Unprofessional behaviour on placement may result in cancellation of your placement. Further details are
provided in Section 7.3: Unsatisfactory Performance on Placement.
6.4. Scope of Practice and the Student Registered Nurse
It is important that you understand the term ‘scope of practice’ as a BN student. Scope of practice
refers to the activities, processes and decisions that a regulated health professional is permitted to
undertake within the terms of their professional registration. Each BN student has a student
registration with the NMBA. Therefore, when undertaking a placement as a BN student, each you
must work within the limits of the student role.
As a BN student, you are not viewed as an employee by the health service organisation or aged
care provider. Instead, you undertake your placement in a supernumerary role. That is, you are an
additional person who is there to observe, participate and learn. All of your activities must always
be carried out under the supervision of an RN, either directly or indirectly. The level of supervision
is dependent upon the skill level of the student, and the experience and position of the RN. This is
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particularly important for endorsed enrolled nurses as many of the skills that are part of your scope
of practice in your place of employment are beyond the scope of practice of a student registered
nurse.
Clinical Facilitators, Preceptors and registered nurses usually work with BN students from a range
of universities, which all have different course structures. This means that the registered nurses
supervising you may not be aware of your individual scope of practice. You are responsible for
ensuring that you remain in your scope of practice at all times. If you are asked to undertake any
tasks that are outside your scope of practice, you MUST politely decline and explain why you are
declining. If you are experiencing issues around this, you should contact your Clinical Facilitator or
Subject Convenor in accordance with WPL Flow Chart 3 (page 33)
Your scope of practice as a BN student is determined by the knowledge, skills and attitudes covered
in the Clinical Reasoning in Nursing subject that corresponds with the current placement, as well as
those covered in earlier Clinical Reasoning in Nursing Subjects. These are summarised in the
SNPHS BN Student Scope of Practice document (Appendix 1).
Medication Administration
All BN students, including those who are endorsed enrolled nurses (EEN), must only administer
medicines under the direct supervision of an RN while undertaking a placement for WPL. This is
because you are undertaking your placements as a student registered nurse, not as paid employees
or a registered health professional. Students must not participate in medication until the
placement for NRS173- Nursing Workplace Learning 2. All medication administration
procedures, and the corresponding entries in medication charts and drug registers, must comply
with the following:
• The laws of the state (including the Poisons Act) in which you are undertaking your placement; and
• All the relevant policies and procedures of the facilities in which you are undertaking your placement.
Schedule 4D and 8 Medications
Administration of all Schedule 8 (S8) and Schedule 4D (S4D) medications must be directly
supervised by an RN who has been certified as competent in the procedure by the health facility. The
procedure of administering S8 and S4D drugs does not allow for the BN student to sign the legal
documentation required. All BN students, including EENs, must still have 2 other accredited persons
present to undertake the procedure of administrating S8 and S4D drugs. In other words, you must
only ever be the third person in this process.
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Intravenous Fluids
You may only administer intravenous (IV) therapy upon successful completion of the simulation
learning experiences on intravenous therapy and medicines in NRS 277: Clinical Reasoning in
Nursing 3. You may undertake this activity only under the direct supervision of an RN who has
been certified as competent in the procedure by the clinical facility.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Some facilities have policies in place that prevent nursing students from
administering certain IV medication or fluids. In these cases, the policies of the clinical facility at
which you are located are to be followed.
6.5. Illness or Misadventure During Placement
If you experience illness or misadventure in the lead up to an allocated placement that may prevent
you from attending all or some of that placement, you must also contact your Subject Convenor as
soon as possible. This will allow the site to be notified and alternate arrangements made.
If you experience illness, misadventure or other extenuating circumstances that during the
placement that prevent you from attending, you will need to take the following the steps:
• Notify the Clinical Facilitator / Preceptor or other suitable person at the placement site by
phone prior to the absence. For example, if you are rostered to start work at 7am, you would
need to phone in prior to this.
• Notify your Subject Convenor by email on the same day as the absence.
• Notify WPL
Your Subject Convenor will advise you on the process of applying for a Grade Pending, GP using
the Special Consideration Form. This process will always require you to provide acceptable
documentation to support your absence. If your application is approved, you will be allocated makeup placement time at a later date. Students who are absent from placement without approved
Special Consideration will not be allocated make-up time and will therefor receive a FL grade
for the subject. All Special Consideration applications must be submitted within seven (7)
days of the absence.
As stated on page 10, all Special Consideration applications are considered in accordance with the Special
Consideration Policy. Social events do not meet the criteria for illness, misadventure or extenuating
circumstances. This means that special consideration will not be approved for you to miss part of your
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placement to attend events such as weddings and parties. If there you have events like this planned that will
clash with the dates of the placement blocks for subject on the WPL calendar, you should enter this
information into the extenuating circumstances/comments box on InPlace prior to your placement allocation.
WPL Flow Chart 3 on page 33 summarises the process to follow when you are unable to attend your
placement due to illness, misadventure or extenuating circumstances.
6.6. Make-Up Placements
If you are unable to attend part of a placement due to illness or misadventure and have an approved GP,
your Subject Convenor will ask the FOSH-WPL team to allocate you make-up placement. This will occur
when a suitable allocation is available and may require you to be put onto a waiting list.
You are not permitted to make your own arrangements for make-up time with the placement
site. This includes working extra days or longer hours to make up the time. Staff at the placement
site may offer to make these arrangements in good faith without being aware of organisational
requirements and insurance implications of our SPAs. Please contact your Subject Convenor to
offers of make-up time made by the placement site.
6.7. Conflicts of Interest on Placement
Conflicts of interest in the WPL area have the potential to place you, your colleagues and
patients/clients/residents at risk.
Examples of situations in which a conflict of interest could occur include, but are not limited to the following:
• You are placed in a clinical area where you have a close personal relationship with one or
more staff members. For example, a partner, sibling or parent
• A relative or close friend is admitted to the clinical area in which you are completing your placement
If you identify a potential conflict of interest, it is your responsibility to notify the Clinical Facilitator
and Clinical Subject Convenor as soon as possible so that alternate arrangements can be made if
necessary.
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6.8. Workplace Safety and Risk Management
Undertaking WPL is rewarding but often stressful experience. Throughout your placements you will be faced
with new challenges and this may occur when you are away from home and your usual support networks.
Unfortunately, you may also experience adverse events on placement including, but not limited to:
• Accidents;
• Injury;
• Illness;
• Exposure to body substances, and
• Personal or other harrassment.
Your Clinical facilitator / Preceptor and your Subject Convenor will work together closely to support your
physical and mental well-being during your placements If you have any concerns about your physical and /
or mental health, or you have experienced an adverse event, it is essential that you notify them both as
soon as possible. This will allow support to be provided to you in a timely manner. Illness has been
discussed in the previous section. Injuries and body substance exposure will be discussed in more detail
below and WPL Flow Chart 4: What to Do if you Experience an Incident, Accident, Injury or Adverse Event
provides a summary of what to do and who to contact when an adverse event occurs.
Reporting an Injury
The practise of nursing often requires physical activity, such as assisting people who are
incapacitated. Such activities require that you consider your own health and capacity to undertake this
kind of activity. You are required to follow the policy and procedures regarding manual handling
specific to the health service or aged care setting in which you are located.
If you sustain an injury (physical or psychological) while on a placement, you must:
• Seek first aid / medical assistance immediately,
• Notify your Clinical Facilitator / Preceptor or other suitable staff member at the site as soon as
possible;
• The Clinical Facilitator / Preceptor or health facility will report the incident and initial
response procedures to the Subject Convenor as soon as possible after the event;
• Complete the health facility’s incident reporting procedure in accordance with relevant policy and
procedures;
• Complete the Charles Sturt University Incident Form / Protecht report within 48 hours.
• Submit a Special Consideration application if required within 7 days.
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Body Substance Exposure
Body substance exposure is viewed as an injury. The likelihood of the transmission of blood borne
viruses within the health care sector is very low. However, if you are exposed to body substances
during a placement (e.g. needle stick injury), you are to follow the policy of the health facility at which
you are located. The policy will generally include the following:
FIRST RESPONSE:
• Wash affected area with soap and water;
• If eyes are contaminated then rinse them while they are open, gently but thoroughly with
water or normal saline;
• If blood or other body substances get in the mouth, spit them out and then rinse the
mouth with water several times;
• If clothing is contaminated remove clothing and shower if necessary; and
• Report the incident to the RN in charge immediately.
Where water is not available, use a non-water cleanser or antiseptic for washing cuts or punctures of
the skin, or intact skin.
SECONDARY RESPONSE:
• With consent, blood is taken for testing from student and patient; and
• Counselling will be arranged
• Results of blood testing should be given to you in person.
Your reporting responsibilities are the same as those for any other injury:
• Notify your Clinical Facilitator / Preceptor or other suitable staff member at the site as soon as
possible;
• The Clinical Facilitator / Preceptor or health facility will report the incident and initial
response procedures to the Subject Convenor as soon as possible after the event;
• Complete the health facility’s incident reporting procedure in accordance with relevant policy and
procedures;
• Complete the Charles Sturt University Incident Form / Protecht report within 48 hours.
• Submit a Special Consideration application if required within 7 days
SNMIH RESPONSE
Your Subject Convernor will give you the option to withdraw from placement following a body
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substance exposure incident or this may be recommended by the health care facility, in consultation
with the Workplace Learning Lead. If you withdraw from your placement for WPL due to a body
substance exposure incident, you will be given the opportunity to complete the placement for WPL
at a later date
If you decide to continue with the placement, you will receive ongoing support from the Clinical
Facilitator and Subject Convenor to determine if you have been adversely affected by the incident
and enable further interventions to be arranged if required. You will also be advised to undertake
counselling.
Please read the following information from NSW Health for more information on infection control and body
substance exposure
• HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C – Management of Health Care Workers Potentially Exposed
• Infection Control
7. Assessment of Learning on Placement
7.1. The Australian Nursing Standards Assessment Tool (ANSAT)
Your learning on placement will be assessed against the NMBA RN Standards for Practice using the
ANSAT. This tool has been developed to assess practice in workplace settings and is used by most
Australian universities.
Each ANSAT consists of an Interim and Final Report, with the interim report to be completed
halfway through the placement and the final report at the end. The submission of your completed
ANSAT document is an assessment task in each of the WPL subjects. In order to receive a
Satisfactory grade for the ANSAT, you must be marked as satisfactory for both the interim and final
reports.
More information about this assessment task is available from the relevant Subject Outline, and the
ANSAT documents for each subject are available from the Subject Interact2 site.
7.2. Submitting Your ANSAT
All ANSAT documents are submitted, marked and filed electronically and must be submitted as a single PDF
file. It is your responsibility to ensure that all sections of the ANSAT have been completed correctly prior to
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submission. It is a good idea to keep the original copy of your ANSAT in case the electronic copy is
misplaced.
A complete ANSAT includes the following:
• Your name and student number;
• The name and contract details of your Clinical Facilitator;
• Dates and hours completed on the placement initialled by the Clinical Facilitator or Preceptor;
• Completion of all sections of the ANSAT, including all required signatures and initials.
Incomplete ANSAT documents will be returned to you for follow-up within 7 days. Failure to resubmit
within this timeframe will result in a Fail grade.
All ANSAT documents must be submitted no later than ten (10) days after the last day of your placement.
This allows your Subject Convenor to undertake any required follow up in a timely manner.
7.3. Unsatisfactory Performance on Placement
In order to receive a Satisfactory grade for the ANSAT, you must be marked as satisfactory for both the
interim and final reports. Your Interim or Final Reports may be marked as Unsatisfactory if you are assessed
as not meeting the expected standard of performance, relative to your stage of practice, or if you are
deemed to have engaged in unprofessional or unsafe behaviour on placement.
Process for Students not Meeting the Expected Standard of Performance on Placement
This process completion of a supportive learning contract an implemented with the performance
issue does not pose a threat to patient safety. The aim of a learning contract is to provide you with
the additional support you need to (i) develop the required standard of practice; (ii) develop an
appropriate level of competence; and (ii) ensure patient safety. Successful completion of a learning
contract will result in a Satisfactory grade for your ANSAT. If you are unable to meet the learning
objectives in your learning contract your ANSAT will be marked Unsatisfactory. Flow Chart 1 below
outlines the process for the implementation of a learning contract with your performance on
placement is not meeting the expected standard.
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WPL FLOW CHART 1: PROCESS FOR STUDENTS NOT MEETING THE EXPECTED STANDARD OF
PERFORMANCE ON PLACEMENT
Clinical Facilitator / Preceptor notifies student of performance issues and provides detailed
feedback
Clinical Facilitator / Preceptor notfies the Subject Convenor, providing a written summary of the
issues and a recommondation regarding the continuation of the placement
Subject Convenor reviews the infomation, notifies the Workplace Learning Lead in writing and
includes a recommendation regarding the continuation of the placement
Workplace Learning Lead asseses the issue and recommendations, and approves the
continuation of the placement with a supportive learning Agreement
Subject Convenor contacts the student by phone to discuss the issues noted and the
implemenation of the Learning Agreement
Subject Convenor emails the student formal notification of the performance issues and a copy
of the draft Learning Agreement
Student and Clinical Faciliator / Preceptor review the draft Learning Agreement and email any
changes to the Subject Convenor before it is finalised
Clinical Facilitator / Preceptor supports the student to complete the Learning Agreement by
facilitating opportunities to meet the learning objectives, assessing performance against the
learning objectives and providing feedback
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Process Following the Identification of Unsafe or Unprofessional Conduct on Placement
When there is evidence of unprofessional, unethical or unsafe conduct on the placement, there is a
direct threat to patient safety and a learning contract is not appropriate. In these circumstances, the
placement will be ceased immediately to allow for an investigation to occur. Examples of
circumstances in which this may occur include, but are not limited to the following actions and
behaviours:
• Repeated failure to comply with uniform and appearance standards required of the host organisation
and / or the SNPHS;
• Engaging in unethical or unethical practices. For example, breaching confidentiality,
falsifying documentation or engaging in inappropriate relationships;
• Failure to demonstrate safe and professional behaviour that complies with the host
organisation’s Code of Conduct and workplace health and safetyrequirements (See Section
• Failure to abide by the health service policy;
• Failure to work within the scope of practice of a BN student (see Section ). For example,
administering medications and fluids without the direct supervision of a registered nurse or taking
directions from staff members other than an RN.
Whenever a student is removed from placement, an investigation is undertaken a panel that consists of the
Subject Convenor and the Workplace Learning in consultation with the Associate Head of School. The
outcomes of such investigations are dependent on the unique circumstances and seriousness of each case
but may include:
• The student is required to complete submit a written reflection paper addressing the practice issues
prior to an additional placement being allocated with a supportive learning agreement in place;
• The student is not allocated another placement and is awarded a FL grade for the subject;
• The student is not allocated another placement and is report for general misconduct in accordance
with the Student Misconduct Rule 2020.
WPL Flow Chart 2 below provides an overview of the process that is followed when there has been unsafe,
unethical, or unprofessional practice on placement.
WPL Flow Chart 2: Process for Students who Engage in Unsafe or Unprofessional conduct on placement
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Clinical Facilitator / Preceptor notfies the Subject Coordinator, providing a written summary of
the issue and a recommondation regarding the continuation of the placement
Subject Coorinator notifies the Nursing Discipline Lead in writing with a recommendation
regarding the contination of the placement
Nursing Discipline Lead identifies unsafe or unprofessional behaviour and recommendations
and notifies the AHOS (WPL)
AHOS (WPL), Nurisng Discipline Lead and Subject Coordinator meet with Clinical Faciliator
and/ or placement provider to discuss the behaviour and agree on the outcome. If a learning
contract is agreed on, gp to WPL Flow Chart 1. If cancellation of the placement is agreed,
continue with WPL Flow Chart 2
Subject Coordinator notifies the the student over the phone or in person where possible. This is
followed up with formal notification via email that clearly identifies how the behaviour has
breached the RN Standards for Practice and / or threatened patient safety
The student is asked to provide a wriiten account of events prior to attending a meeting with the
investigation panel (Subject Coordiantor, Nursing Discipline Lead and AHOS-WPL). The
student is encouraged to bring a support person to the meeting.
The student attends a meeting with the investigation panel to discuss the breaches to the RN
Standards of Practice and / or threat to patient safety, the students reflections on these, and the
possible outcomes
The investigation panel meets to determine the final outcome based on the seriousness of the
matter and the student’s responses
The student is notified of the outcome in writing and the appeal process if applicable
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8. Who to Contact, When?
WPL will be a large and vital part of your experience in the BN. This handbook aims to explain the
processes and staff members involved, but it is inevitable that you will have questions and concerns about
WPL as you progress through the course. The WPL 3-5 on the following pages have been developed to
provide you with a guide to who to contact for specific issues and how to escalate concerns related to WPL.
Whenever in doubt, you Subject Convenor will always be you best first point of contact.
8.1. Response Times
The FOSH-WPL Team receives large volumes of student emails every day. As a result, their response time
to emails is 5 working days.
The Academic Communication with Students Policy requires academic staff to respond to emails and phone
messages within 3 working days. Email is usually the best way to contact academic staff in the first instance.
If the matter requires a confirmation, a time can be made for this after the initial email has been received. If
you do phone an academic staff member and they do not answer, please make sure that you leave a
message stating your name, student number, subject and return contact details. The academic staff
member will then be able to return your call. Academic staff are not able to return missed calls without
messages. If your matter is urgent, please ensure that you note this in the email subject or in the phone
message.
While all academic staff are committed to responding to students within the required timeframe, some emails
or phone calls may be inadvertently missed. If this occurs, a quick and polite reminder email should be all
that is required to trigger a response.
8.2. Complaints
There maybe times when you perceive that you are not receiving a satisfactory or timely resolution to a WPL
related issue. When the issue relates to your final grade for a subject, you are required to follow the formal
Review of Grade process that is outlined in the Assessment Policy- Coursework Subjects. For other issues
and concerns, WPL Communication Flow-Chart 3 explains the process you should follow to escalate an
issue within the SNPHS. Following this process will allow the SNPHS staff to negotiate with you to
determine a resolution in a timely manner. As per the Flow Chart, issues should not be raised with the Head
of School until the other steps in the process have been followed.
If this process fails to resolve the issue, you have the option of escalating the complaint outside the SNPHS
and lodging a formal complaint. Please click on this link for more information.
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WPL FLOW CHART 3: WHO TO CONTACT WITH WPL QUESTIONS AND ISSUES

•FOSH-WPL Team
•Email:FOSH-WPL@csu.edu.au

Verification

•Subject Convenor
•Contact Details: See Subject Outline

Issue with the location and
/ or timing of your allocated
WPL placement

•Clinical Facilator or other suitable person at
placement site prior to the absence
•AND
•Email your Subject Convenor (see Subject
Outline)

Illness or misadventure
preventing you from
attending some or all of
your placement

•Clinical Faciliator / Preceptor first. If this does n
resolve the issue:
•Subject Convenor(see Subject Outline)

Issues with clinicallyrelated matters during the
placement, including scope
of practice.

•Subject Convenor (see Subject Outline). If unab
to contact the Subject Convenor and the matter
urgent:
•Notify the Workplace Learning Lead
•Email: WPLNursingLead@csu.edu.au

Issue with the Clinical
Facilitator/Preceptor

•See WPL Communciation Flow Chart 2

Incident, injury, accident or
other adverse event
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WPL FLOW CHART 4: WHAT TO DO IF YOU EXPERIENCE AN INCIDENT, INJURY, ACCIDENT OR OTHER
ADVERSE EVENT ON PLACEMENT
•Seek First Aid or other medical assistance as
required
•Report the incident to the Clinical Facilitator,
Clinical Preceptor or other suitable person at the
placement site
Immediately
•Seek follow-up with medial or other health
practitioner
•Notify Subject Convenor (see Subject Outline)
•Ensure health facility incident reporting
requirements have been completed
Within 24 Hours
•Continue follow-up as recommended / required
•Complete Charles Sturt University Incident Report
•Submit Special Consideration Form and /or other
documentation as advised by the Subject Convenor
Within 48 Hours
Adverse events experienced on placement may include:
• Accident, and / or
• Injury (physical or psychological
• Body substance exposure
• Bullying and / or harassment
Bachelor of Nursing
Workplace Learning Hand Handbook | July 2022
School of Nursing, Paramedicine & Healthcare Sciences Page 36 of 43
WPL FLOW CHART 5: HOW TO ESCALATE A COMPLAINT ABOUT WPL
Step 1:
Report the issue in writing (email) to the Subject Comvenor.
The Subject Convenor will investigate and provide a response within 3 working days.
If a response is not received within 3 working days, or you are not satisfied with the
response proceed to Step 2
Step 2:
Report the issue in writing (email) to the Workplace Learning Lead
(WPLNursingLead@csu.edu.au)
Please provide evidence that Step 1 has been followed
The WPL Lead will investigate and provide a response within 3 working days
If a response is not received, or you are not satisfied with the response, proceed to Step
3
Step 3:
Report the issue in writing (email) to the Associate Head of School
(WPL)
(SNPHS-Office@csu.edu.au)
Please provide evidence that Step 2 has been followed
The AHOS (WPL) will investigate and provide a response within 3 working days
If a response is not received, or you are not satisfied with the response, proceed to Step
4
Step 4
Report the issue in writing (email) to the Head of School
(SNPHS@csu.edu.au)
Please provide evidence that Step 3 has been followed
The HOS will investigate and provide a response within 3 working days
Bachelor of Nursing
Workplace Learning Hand Handbook | July 2022
School of Nursing, Paramedicine & Healthcare Sciences Page 37 of 43
Appendix 1.
Bachelor of Nursing Student Scope of Practice Document
The knowledge, skills and attitudes developed by BN students are an important foundation for
their future work as RNs (Leung, Trevena, Waters, 2014) and form the basis of your scope of
practice as student RNs. The tables provided below summarise the knowledge, skills and
attitudes developed in simulated and clinical environments in each of the Nursing WPL and
Clinical Reasoning in Nursing subjects. These knowledge, skills and attitudes directly inform the
student RN’s scope of practice for each WPL placement.
Students commencing the BN from 2021, should review the tables below prior to each placement
and ensure that you take a copy with you each day that you attend placement.
Students who commenced the BN before 2021 will be able to access the Scope of Practice
summary for your subject from the Subject Interact2 site.
Reference
Leung, K., Trevena, L., & Waters, D. (2014). Systematic review of instruments for measuring
nurses’ knowledge, skills and attitudes for evidence-based practice. Journal of Advanced Nursing,
70 (10): 2181- 2195.
School of Nursing Midwifery and Indigenous Health – BN Student Scope of Practice
Bachelor of Nursing
Workplace Learning Hand Handbook | July 2022
School of Nursing, Paramedicine & Healthcare Sciences Page 38 of 43
All skills must be performed under the supervision of a registered nurse. Students must not directly undertake skills not listed for the subject they are attending
placement for. Students may observe other skills and clinical activities to support knowledge development.

NRS173: Nursing Workplace Learning 2

Knowledge & Attitudes
Normal anatomy and physiology of the integumentary, the nervous,
cardiovascular, haematological, lymphatic, pulmonary, Immune
musculoskeletal, endocrine, urinary and reproductive systems;
Pathophysiology of integumentary, cardiovascular, respiratory,
endocrine, exocrine and fluid balance disorders;
Interprofessional and interprofessional collaboration,
Quality improvement, responding to incidents
End of life care, including legal considerations
Assessment types and settings – primary, secondary survey, focused
assessment, assessment frameworks, risk assessment
Using the clinical reasoning cycle to plan and evaluate care
Patient care for comfort, dignity and healing
Wound assessment and care
Skills
• Infection control – handwashing, standard and additional precautions
• Health assessment and screening, including vital signs, level of
consciousness, BGL and urinalysis
• Assistance with mobilisation and pressure area care, including falls
screening and prevention
• Basic assistance with ADLs – teeth, hair, setting up for shower
• Basic life support
• Documentation – recording vital signs and basic assessment information
• Nursing assessments and risk screening, including pre and post-operative
• Admissions
• Assist with discharge planning, including patient education
• Documentation of assessment findings, basic progress notes (co-signed)
• Handover using framework
• Basic wound assessment and dressings
• Medication administration – oral, topical, subcutaneous and intramuscular

School of Nursing Midwifery and Indigenous Health – BN Student Scope of Practice
Bachelor of Nursing
Workplace Learning Hand Handbook | July 2022
School of Nursing, Paramedicine & Healthcare Sciences Page 39 of 43

Mindful communication
Caring in practice
Culturally safe care
Professional comportment
Locating evidence for practice
Legal principles of consent, privacy and confidentiality, professional
boundaries, and documentation
Contexts where nurses work and roles of interprofessional team
members
Principles of medication administration, including basic pharmacology

School of Nursing Midwifery and Indigenous Health – BN Student Scope of Practice
Bachelor of Nursing
Workplace Learning Hand Handbook | July 2022
School of Nursing, Paramedicine & Healthcare Sciences Page 40 of 43
All skills must be performed under the supervision of a registered nurse. Students must not directly undertake skills not listed for the subject they are attending
placement for. Students may observe other skills and clinical activities to support knowledge development.

NRS276: Nursing Workplace Learning 3

Knowledge & Attitudes
Pathophysiology of infection, inflammation, immune, musculoskeletal,
gastrointestinal, endocrine, renal and reproductive disorders
Applying the clinical reasoning cycle to people, families and communities
Transpersonal teaching
Cultural safety
Caring for vulnerable people across the lifespan
Use of evidence in practice
Focused assessment and management of the neurological,
cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine
Planning and implementing nursing care for people with neurological,
cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine health challenges, including
use of the clinical reasoning cycle
Skills
Skills from NRS173, with the addition of:
• Assessment and management of peripheral IV access, including removal
• Administration of peripheral IV fluids and medications
• Focused assessment and management of the neurological system – GCS,
neuro obs, cranial nerve assessment, log rolling
• Cardiovascular assessment – 12 lead ECG, neurovascular assessment,
chest pain assessment
• Respiratory assessment and care – lung sounds, inhalational medications,
oxygen administration.
• Endocrine assessment and care – administration of insulin, management of
hypoglycaemia
• At least a 3-4 patient load from the start of Week 3

School of Nursing Midwifery and Indigenous Health – BN Student Scope of Practice
Bachelor of Nursing
Workplace Learning Hand Handbook | July 2022
School of Nursing, Paramedicine & Healthcare Sciences Page 41 of 43
All skills must be performed under the supervision of a registered nurse. Students must not directly undertake skills not listed for the subject they are attending
placement for. Students may observe other skills and clinical activities to support knowledge development.

NRS282: Nursing Workplace Learning 4

Knowledge & Attitudes
History, culture and knowledges of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples
Advanced pharmacology
Links between organisational policies and guidelines, research and
practice
Advocacy – legal and ethical principles
Focused assessment of the gastrointestinal, renal, reproductive and
musculoskeletal systems
Planning and implementing nursing care for people with renal,
reproductive and musculoskeletal health challenges, including use of the
clinical reasoning cycle to plan and prioritise care
Pain assessment and care
Advanced wound assessment and care
Skills
Skills from NRS173 and NRS277, with the addition of:
• Assessment and management of Central Venous Access Devices) CVADs,
including dressings, accessing and removal.
• Administration of blood products (2 RNs must still complete checking and
documentation)
• Comprehensive pain assessment
• Administration of opioid analgesia, including PCA ((2 RNs must still
complete checking and documentation)
• Abdominal assessment
• Insertion and management of Salem sump nasogastric tubes
• Management of TPN
• Drain, staple and suture care and removal
• Stoma care
• IDC insertion, care and removal
• Complex wound dressings
• At least a 3-4 patient load from the start of Week 3

School of Nursing Midwifery and Indigenous Health – BN Student Scope of Practice
Bachelor of Nursing
Workplace Learning Hand Handbook | July 2022
School of Nursing, Paramedicine & Healthcare Sciences Page 42 of 43
All skills must be performed under the supervision of a registered nurse. Students must not directly undertake skills not listed for the subject they are attending
placement for. Students may observe other skills and clinical activities to support knowledge development.

NRS386: Nursing Workplace Learning 5

Knowledge & Attitudes
Organisational models of care
Regional, national and global health priorities
Social determinants of health
Leadership, delegation and mentoring
Nursing culture & professional comportment
Communication strategies for interprofessional communication
Technology in practice
Rural and remote care environments
Assessment and care of older persons
Assessment and management of complex respiratory presentations
Assessment and management of complex cardiovascular presentations
Skills
Skills from NRS162, NRS173, NRS277 and NRS283, with the addition of:
• Paediatric mediation and fluid administration
• Assessment and management of complex respiratory presentations –
advanced oxygen therapy, chest drain management
• Mental health assessment
• Delirium assessment and screening
• At least 4-6 patient load from Week 2 onwards

School of Nursing Midwifery and Indigenous Health – BN Student Scope of Practice
Bachelor of Nursing
Workplace Learning Hand Handbook | July 2022
School of Nursing, Paramedicine & Healthcare Sciences Page 43 of 43

Assessment and management of complex mental health presentations

All skills must be performed under the supervision of a registered nurse. Students must not directly undertake skills not listed for the subject they are attending
placement for. Students may observe other skills and clinical activities to support knowledge development.

NRS398: Nursing Workplace Learning 6

Knowledge and Attitudes
Pathophysiology of stress, cancer and ageing
Pathophysiology of chronic health challenges
Pharmacological management of chronic health challenges
Models of care for people with chronic health challenges
Planning, implementing and evaluating care for people with chronic and
complex health challenges
End of life care – legal and ethical implications
Skills
Skills from NRS173, NRS277, NRS283, with the addition of:
There are no new skills for this placement. The focus of this placement is on the
consolidation of knowledge and skills from previous subjects.
Students are still required to be supervised by a registered nurse, but minimal
prompting should be required for most tasks.
Students should be assigned a 4-6 patient load throughout the placement, whenever
possible.