Overview
Introduction to nursing skills for assessment, planning and ongoing health care across the lifespan. Foundational technological and skill acquisition for safe practice and application of clinical judgement and clinical reasoning.
This paper will enable students to translate key knowledge, skills and professional attitudes to clinical practice. Through the integration of clinical skills and knowledge gained from preceding and concurrent papers, students will develop clinical reasoning, decision-making and problem-solving skills to safely undertake health assessment, determine nursing priorities and provide nursing care in practice.
About this paper
| Paper title | Introduction to Clinical Nursing Practice |
|---|---|
| Subject | Nursing |
| EFTS | 0.125 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period | 1st Non standard period (16 February 2026 - 17 July 2026) (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,676.50 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- MNSc
- Eligibility
An undergraduate degree in any discipline with at least three years' full-time study and a B average in the final two years of the degree.
- Contact
- More information link
- View more information about the Master of Nursing Science (MNSc)
- Teaching staff
Kirsty Ure
- Teaching Arrangements
Taught face-to-face on the Christchurch campus with a combination of lectures and simulation labs, preparing students their first two clinical placements in the first semester.
- Textbooks
Required:
Potter, P., Perry, A., Stockert, P., & Hall, A. (2023). Potter and Perry’s Fundamentals of Nursing (11e.). Australia and New Zealand edition: Elsevier.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Cultural understanding, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will:
- Conduct and record a comprehensive health history and physical assessment, applying clinical reasoning to identify and justify key nursing priorities and interventions
- Provides evidence of safe clinical practice, including medication administration
- Adheres to infection prevention and control principles, prevention and control
- Provides evidence of culturally safe practice application in line with policies of the Nursing Council of New Zealand
- Evidence of application of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi/ Te Tiriti o Waitangi to nursing practice
- Communicate clearly and professionally with patients, whānau/families, and members of the healthcare team, both verbally and in writing, to support person-centred care and collaborative decision-making
- Integrate patients’ individual health beliefs and cultural contexts to develop therapeutic relationships that promote optimal health outcomes
- Practice in accordance with legal, ethical, and professional standards, including the Nursing Council of New Zealand Registered Nurse competence standards
- Provide evidence of engagement with critically reflective practice to evaluate and improve clinical decision-making and professional development.