Becoming a nurse is more than just being able to demonstrate clinical skills or understand disease processes. It is about critical thinking – understanding why we do what we do and how to do it in ways that optimise quality and safety. Achieving the best outcomes for clients is always paramount. This chapter explores the foundational principles of contemporary nursing practice: evidence-based practice, person-centred care, and therapeutic and professional communication; all contributing to a safe practice environment. It also introduces the growing role of technology in health care and looks at how numerous factors come together to influence health outcomes for the individual client.

All regulated health practitioners need to be aware of the standards imposed on them by their regulatory body in order for them to be able to practise and keep the public safe. In Australia, the standards for nurses and midwives have been developed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), which regulates the Australian workforce through the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

This chapter helps you understand your obligations to obtain and maintain your nursing or midwifery registration, and your legal, regulatory and moral obligations both as a professional and as an individual. It differentiates the scope of practice for the registered nurse, enrolled nurse and midwife.

The first section discusses general legal and regulatory requirements for nurses. Next, we turn to the Professional Practice Framework that constitutes a key part of nurses’ legal and regulatory obligations. This framework forms the overarching statement of nursing’s values contained in a number of codes and standards. The next section covers professional boundaries before we make some brief remarks relating to scope of practice.

In this chapter, you will learn how to plan your study around your existing commitments. You are encouraged to build on your strengths and improve in areas that may hold you back. You will learn how to find time to study and be kind to your future self. This chapter gives you an idea of the different kinds of academic support you may be able to access and provides some hints for using the online study environment to your advantage.

Learning at university is often self-directed, and the skills developed and employed in your nursing education can help to ensure you have acquired the graduate attributes needed to continue learning while you practice as a nurse.

This chapter provides you with strategies to enhance your study and to be successful in your learning endeavours. You will discover that you learn from your teachers and educators as well as from your peers and networks. You will be provided with hints for making both formal and informal peer support and group work function effectively for you. Finally, you will be given suggestions for using social media to help feel connected while simultaneously avoiding common pitfalls in your journey to become the best nurse you can.