Foundations of Nursing 2 unit (NUR138)

Cradle Coast, Hobart, Launceston, Sydney

Introduction

Foundations of Nursing 2 builds on key concepts introduced in Foundations of Nursing 1. Within this unit you will continue to develop knowledge and skills regarding health assessment across the life span and how this relates to the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. This development is structured around the primary assessment (airway, breathing, circulation, disability and exposure). You will also advance skills in communication, as well as your understanding of the clinical reasoning cycle and its application to health assessment, nursing care and how this informs nurses decision making.

Summary

Unit name	Foundations of Nursing 2
Unit code	NUR138
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Health School of Nursing
Discipline	Nursing
Coordinator	Mr Danny Sidwell
Teaching staff	Mrs Ann Marie Brown|Mrs Catherine Teare|Mrs Michelle Darch|Mrs Michelle Talbot|Ms Sally White|Ms Tina King
Available as an elective?	No
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Introductory

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Cradle Coast	Semester 2
Hobart	Semester 2
Launceston	Semester 2
Sydney	Semester 2

Note

Please check that your computer meets the minimum System Requirements if you are attending via Distance/Off-Campus.

Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 2	5/7/2026	27/7/2026	30/8/2026	24/10/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate foundational health assessment and management in relation to the various primary assessment components of airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills and professional behaviour.
• Apply the clinical reasoning framework to facilitate assessment, nursing care and decision making.
• Develop capability against the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice (2016) and the NSQHS Standards.
• Utilise evidence-informed practice resources to support nursing assessments and management.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
060301	$592.00	$592.00	not applicable	$3,178.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

NUR132 Foundations of Nursing 1

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Semester: Fortnightly 2-hour practical, 5 times per semester and Fortnightly 2-hour workshop 5 times per semester.
Assessment	Mind Map (30%)|Portfolio (30%)|Presentation (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Required Readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator via the unit reading List on the University Library website.

Recommended

Berman, T., Snyder, S, J., Levett-Jones, T., Burton, T., & Harvey. N (2021). Skills in Clinical Nursing (2nd Australian ed). Pearson Australia. Berman, T., Frandsen, G., Snyder, S, J., Levet-Jones, T., Burston, A., Dwyer, T., Hales, M., Harvey, N., Langtree, T., Moxham, L., Reid-Searl, K., Rolf, F., & Stanley, D. (2021). Kozier & Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing: Concepts, Process and Practice (5th Australian ed). Peason Australia. Bullock, S., & Hales, M. (2024). Principles of Pathophysiology (3rd ed). Pearson Australia Calleja, P., Theobald, K., & Harvey, T. (2024). Estes Health assessment and physical examination (4th Australian & New Zealand ed), Cengage Learning Australia, Melbourne VIC. Crisp, J., Douglas., Rebeiro, G., & Waters, D. (2021). Potter & Perry’s Fundamentals of Nursing (6th Australia and New Zealand ed). Elsevier. Levett-Jones, T. (Ed). (2023). Clinical Reasoning: Learning to think like a nurse (3rd ed). Pearson. Moroney, T.¿(2020)¿‘Clinical Handover’¿in¿Critical Conversation for Patient Safety: an essential guide for healthcare students, ed. Tracy Levett-Jones, Pearson Australia¿   Recommendations for terminology, abbreviations and symbols used in medicines documentation – Summary sheet (ACSQHC)¿ https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/migrated/Recommendations-for-terminology-abbreviations-and-symbols-used-in-medicines-documentation-Summary-sheet-December-2016.pdf¿  Recommended Readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator via the unit Reading List on the University Library website.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.