Issues in nursing 2: legal and ethical considerations in nursing practice
BDN
Ms F Thompson
1.5 points * 18 hours per semester * Second semester * Gippsland * Prerequisites: GHS1410
This is the second subject of the `Issues in nursing' series and will focus on the role of nursing ethics and the law as applied in contemporary Australian nursing practice. That is, it will enable the student to discuss legal and ethical dilemmas for nurses in clinical situations and enjoy the value of reflection and debate in extending and evaluating nursing practice - using theoretical frameworks and Australian law to support practice decisions. It is intended that the student understand the elements of ethical decision making and bring to the discussion forum their experiences and concerns. It is also intended that the student raise issues which are not only of individual concern but are also of topical import to the practice of nursing in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The student will be introduced to (1) the philosophical and ideological bases of ethical approaches (for example utilitarianism, deontology, natural law, caring and justice) as frameworks for ethical decision-making and (2) Australian State and federal law as it affects nursing.
Assessment
Option 1 (one oral presentation to class of about 10 minutes): 50% * Option 2: (one major written essay of about 200 words): 100%
Recommended texts
It is recommended that students acquire one law text and one ethics text from the following list of Australian publications and access other frequently as supplementary texts:
Husted G L and Husted J H Ethical decision making in nursing Mosby, 1991
Johnstone M J Bioethics: A nursing perspective Saunders, 1989
O'Sullivan J Law for nurses and allied health professional in Australia 3rd edn, Law Book Company, 1983
Staunton P J and Whyburn B Nursing and the law 3rd edn, Saunders, 1993