This unit provides the opportunity for students to acquire foundational knowledge and skills relating to membership of nursing as both a discipline and a regulated profession. Throughout the unit students will be introduced to the academic skills relevant to first year undergraduate students. The national competency standards for the Registered Nurse and broad professional, discipline, quality and safety frameworks are introduced in this unit.  Students will be introduced to events and people that have shaped contemporary nursing practice, as well as gaining an understanding of seminal nursing scholars and their impact on the development of nursing knowledge.  Research and its relationship to evidence-based practice are also introduced, and throughout the unit students will develop skills to promote life-long learning and professional development. For students requiring additional support there will be opportunity to engage in extension modules relating to literacy.