CNA752 Child and Family Health: Clinical Practice 1 – Assessment Brief (Advanced Nursing Example)

The task focuses on integrating clinical practice with evidence-based child and family health nursing, emphasising reflective capacity, professional judgement, and safe, family-centred care.

Assessment Overview

This assessment requires you to critically examine your clinical practice experiences in child and family health settings. You will demonstrate how theory, evidence, and professional standards inform your clinical decision-making when working with children, parents, and families across diverse contexts.

The assessment prioritises reflective depth, application of evidence, and clear articulation of advanced nursing practice rather than description of events.

Assessment Type

• Written reflective clinical analysis
• Individual assessment
• Assessment 1

Length and Weighting

• Word length: 1,500 words ±10% (excluding reference list)
• Weighting: 40% of unit grade

Learning Outcomes Addressed

• Apply evidence-based child and family health principles to clinical practice.
• Demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning in child and family health nursing.
• Critically reflect on professional practice and clinical decision-making.
• Integrate professional standards and ethical considerations into practice.

Assessment Task Description

You are required to select one significant clinical encounter from your Child and Family Health clinical placement. Using this encounter, write a structured reflective analysis that demonstrates how you applied child and family health nursing principles in practice.

The reflection must move beyond narrative description and focus on analysis, synthesis of evidence, and professional insight.

Required Content

1. Clinical Context
   • Briefly describe the setting and the child and family context.
   • Maintain confidentiality and anonymity at all times.
2. Identification of Key Issues
   • Identify the primary child and family health needs observed.
   • Explain why these issues were clinically significant.
3. Application of Evidence-Based Practice
   • Analyse how current evidence informed your assessment and interventions.
   • Critically evaluate at least three peer-reviewed sources relevant to child and family health.
4. Professional and Ethical Considerations
   • Discuss relevant professional standards, scope of practice, and ethical principles.
   • Demonstrate culturally safe and family-centred care considerations.
5. Reflective Analysis
   • Critically reflect on what worked, what did not, and why.
   • Identify how this experience has shaped your developing practice.
6. Future Practice Implications
   • Identify clear, evidence-informed strategies for future clinical practice.
   • Link learning outcomes to professional development.

Formatting and Submission Requirements

• Academic writing in third person (first person permitted in reflective sections only).
• 12-point font, double-spaced, with standard margins.
• Harvard referencing style.
• Submit as a Word document via the Learning Management System.

Assessment Criteria and Marking Rubric

Knowledge and Understanding (30%)

• Depth of understanding of child and family health nursing concepts.
• Accurate integration of contemporary evidence.

Critical Thinking and Analysis (30%)

• Quality of clinical reasoning and reflective analysis.
• Ability to synthesise theory, evidence, and practice.

Application to Practice (20%)

• Relevance and realism of practice implications.
• Alignment with professional standards.

Academic Writing and Structure (10%)

• Clarity, coherence, and logical flow.
• Appropriate academic tone and language.

Referencing and Use of Sources (10%)

• Use of credible, peer-reviewed sources.
• Correct application of Harvard referencing.

Academic Integrity

All work must comply with the University’s academic integrity policy. Plagiarism, contract cheating, or inappropriate use of generative tools constitutes academic misconduct.

This assessment supports the development of reflective, evidence-informed child and family health nurses capable of delivering safe, ethical, and family-centred care in contemporary practice environments.

The brief is structured to align with advanced nursing assessment formats commonly used in Australian child and family health programs, ensuring relevance for current and future cohorts.

References

• Hockenberry, M.J. and Wilson, D. (2019) Wong’s Nursing Care of Infants and Children. 11th edn. St. Louis: Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2017-0-01712-9
• Shields, L., Pratt, J. and Hunter, J. (2021) ‘Family-centred care: A review of qualitative studies’, Journal of Clinical Nursing, 30(7–8), pp. 934–946. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15627
• Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) (2018) Registered Nurse Standards for Practice. Available at: https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au
• Turner, K.M.T. et al. (2020) ‘Evidence-based parenting support and child health outcomes’, Child: Care, Health and Development, 46(3), pp. 300–308. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12739