UnitLevel 5Postgraduate

NUR5031 Medical surgical nursing 1

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

NUR5031 Medical surgical nursing 1 is a level 5, 12-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 2 units.

Credit points
12
Offered in 2026
Semester 1, Semester 2
Clayton
Assessment
No exam
4 tasks

This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Before NUR5031

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After NUR5031

2 units list NUR5031 as a prerequisite or corequisite.

Enrolment rules

Must be enrolled in course code M6031 in the Medical surgical nursing or Neuroscience nursing specialisation.

Must be working at least 3 days per week in a medical surgical setting at an approved provider.

Overview

Medical surgical nursing requires specialised skills and understanding of pathophysiology, assessment and management of patient care. In this unit you will be provided with an introduction to advanced medical surgical nursing principles and practice.

You will develop skills to care for medical surgical patients using a patient centred approach. This unit will explore the essential elements involved in delivering and managing best evidence-based care for medical-surgical patients throughout their continuum from initial presentation to recovery.

Through your study and development of communication skills you will support patients to participate in their care. You will enhance your skills in interprofessional communication, actively engage patients in their care and develop communication skills and leadership practices that improve patient outcomes.

Offerings in 2026

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterClaytonFlexible
Second semesterClaytonFlexible

Assessment

  • Care plan and analysis (2,000 words)Written
    35%
  • Clinical information poster (1,000 words)Artefact
    20%
  • Case study & analysis (3,000 words)Written
    45%
  • Clinical competencies Pass/FailWork integratedCompetency hurdle
    -

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Analyse and apply the principles of systematic patient assessment using applied knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.

  2. 2

    Evaluate clinical information to differentiate the underlying pathophysiological processes, aetiology and clinical manifestations related to chronic and complex disease presentations.

  3. 3

    Evaluate evidence-based pharmacological interventions to achieve safe outcomes for patients across a range of complex disease states.

  4. 4

    Interpret patient assessment findings to inform advanced clinical decision making in the formulation and prioritisation of person-centre, evidence-based management of the medical surgical patient with complex healthcare needs.

  5. 5

    Evaluate the effectiveness of care and management delivered to the medical surgical patient with complex healthcare needs.

  6. 6

    Develop strategies integrating the Australian National Safety and Quality and Health Service (NSQHS) Standards aimed at improving the safety and quality of care in the medical surgical environment.

  7. 7

    Adopt effective communication skills and clinical leadership practices for holistic nursing care.

Workload and teaching

  • Tutorials49 hours

24 hours per week of teacher facilitated and self-directed learning including tutorials and online activities.

Please refer to Moodle for tutorial types and requirements.

Contacts

Chief Examiners
Ms Rebecca Winter
Eliza Bonacci
Unit Coordinators
Ms Rebecca Winter
Eliza Bonacci

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for NUR5031?

NUR5031 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

What can I take after NUR5031?

NUR5031 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 2 units, including NUR5019 and NUR5032.

When is NUR5031 offered?

In 2026, NUR5031 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton.

Does NUR5031 have an exam?

No. NUR5031 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.

More details

Credit points
12
Level
5
Study level
Postgraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational unit
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.250
Student contribution
SCA Band 1
Study abroad
Not available
Handbook years
20232024202520262027