Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify research needs, source and analyse emerging trends and best practice in nursing and report on the outcomes of research to inform continuous improvement at a systemic or organisational level.
This unit applies to enrolled nurses, registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, who work in collaboration with registered nurses, and under direct or indirect supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia regulatory authority legislative requirements.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Identify research needs | 1.1 Identify opportunities for research through reflection on experience and outcomes of own nursing practice 1.2 Work with professional colleagues in relation to systemic change and areas for collaborative research 1.3 Identify and analyse internal and external factors that impact on the research process and the application of potential research outcomes 1.4 Select a focus for research and develop objectives with clear links to workplace needs |
2. Research nursing trends and best practice | 2.1 Develop and document a research plan that includes clear information about objectives and methodologies 2.2 Assess and select research strategies suited to areas of focus 2.3 Access and explore information about current, emerging and innovative ideas and trends in nursing practice 2.4 Source and collate evidence-based information about nursing best practice |
3. Analyse researched information | 3.1 Compare best practice evidence to current nursing practice and determine potential for development and change in own workplace 3.2 Assess the strength, relevance, reliability and currency of information gathered by research in the context of the organisation’s current nursing practice 3.3 Identify and analyse specific ways in which researched information may be used or adapted for workplace improvement 3.4 Assess the feasibility, benefits and risks associated with researched information and its potential use 3.5 Develop substantiated positions and ideas |
4. Report on research | 4.1 Test and discuss positions developed from research through collaboration with colleagues 4.2 Develop reports for relevant personnel using language and format appropriate to audience, purpose and context 4.3 Incorporate reasoned argument and substantiated evidence into reporting 4.4 Present research findings according to organisation standards and review processes |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
planned, conducted and used at least 2 research projects to contribute to the continuous improvement of nursing practice at a systemic or organisational level in at least 1 workplace.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
ways in which own practice informs research
processes for engaging others in the identification of research needs
internal and external factors that potentially impact research and its application:
approval frameworks
organisation policies and procedures
resource constraints
health policy frameworks
national health priorities
features and formats of research plans
research strategies, how they are implemented and their application for different research objectives:
qualitative
quantitative
evidence-based information – what it is, what it isn’t and how it is developed and used in healthcare
information sources for research in nursing practice, including:
existing research and literature
public and private health organisations
organisations in other industries
professional bodies
nurse practitioners
clinical nurse specialists
processes that support analysis of information and how to use them, including:
comparing
contrasting
challenging
reflecting
distinguishing relevant from irrelevant
drawing interdisciplinary connections
making links between information and its application to the workplace
report writing, including:
key inclusions in a research report
how to match report format, structure and content to audience and context
techniques for developing and substantiating positions and arguments in writing
use of referencing, and understanding of copyright and plagiarism.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
In addition, assessors must hold current registration as a Registered Nurse with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.