Program Overview

Unit Overview

The unit HLSC617 - Independent Project is designed for students to apply advanced knowledge and skills in leadership and development of independent initiatives in their workplace. This unit provides students with the opportunity to critically evaluate the role of evidence-based, ethical practice through investigation of a self-identified area of challenge and opportunity drawn from a clinical/professional issue previously studied in their Master course.

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

The aim of this unit is to provide students with the opportunity to undertake self-motivated study and transition to life-long learning as a self-reliant and critically reflective professional. Students will apply a theoretical foundation in the leadership and development of independent initiatives in their workplace, creating an effective solution to a unique administrative, leadership, educational, or clinical challenge.

Learning Outcomes

To successfully complete this unit, students will be able to:

• Appraise a clinical/professional issue amenable to investigation by project
• Access information and apply skills to structure and write a project proposal for the clinical/professional issue
• Conduct a project
• Write and present a project report that evaluates the processes and outcomes of a project

Content

Topics will include:

• Self-identified area of study related to coursework units in the Master course
• Clinical/professional issue explored in a coursework unit
• Project required in the workplace (e.g., quality initiative, health record audit, updating clinical practice guidelines, developing an educational resource for staff or health consumers)
• Written proposal: aims, objectives, expected outcomes, and timeframes for the project
• Written approval by workplace for project conduct and completion
• Conduct of the project with the support of the Lecturer-in-Charge of the unit
• Writing and presenting the project report, including evaluation of the aims, objectives, processes, and outcomes of the project

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements. The assessments include:

• Assessment Task 1 - Project: enables students to show competence in project design (20%)
• Assessment Task 2 - Seminar Presentation: enables students to achieve sound communication skills and showcase their project to professional peers (30%)
• Assessment Task 3 - Project Report: enables students to demonstrate competency in independent project work and written communication skills (50%)

Learning and Teaching Strategy and Rationale

Teaching and learning strategies utilized in this unit will support students in meeting the aim and achieving the learning outcomes relevant to this unit as well as the broader course learning outcomes. Students will demonstrate their specialized knowledge and skills for research, professional practice, and/or learning through the development, implementation, and evaluation of an independent project, supported by a Faculty supervisor.

Representative Texts and References

• Bettany-Saltikov, J. (2012). How to do a systematic literature review in nursing: A step-by-step guide.
• Booth, A., Papaioannou, D., & Sutton, A. (2016). Systematic approaches to a successful literature review (2nd ed.).
• Grove, S., Burns, N., & Gray, J. (2013). The practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (7th ed.).
• Hoffmann, T., Bennet, S., & Del Mar, C. (2013). Evidence-based practice across the health professions (2nd ed.).
• Holly, C., Walmond, S. W., & Saimbert, M. K. (2011). Comprehensive systematic review for advanced nursing practice.
• Polit, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2017). Essentials of nursing research: Appraising evidence for nursing practice (10th ed.).
• Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (2010). Sage handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioral research (2nd ed.).

Locations and Credit Points

• Locations: North Sydney, Online
• Credit points: 20

Year

2025