Ethical issues and legal studies
Course code: 0412
Ms G Milton and Ms D Griffiths
6 points * 3 hours per week * First or second semester * Peninsula
Objectives On completion of this subject students are expected to differentiate between law and morality; identify legal and ethical dilemmas frequently encountered in clinical nursing practice; demonstrate a knowledge of common law and statute law pertinent to nursing practice; compare and contrast a justice based approach to ethical reasoning within an ethic of care; discuss the ethico-legal implications of the nurse's professional relationship with the patient, patient relatives and associated professional colleagues; identify and implement strategies that may be used in resolving ethical and legal dilemmas frequently encountered by health care professionals in a variety of clinical situations.
Synopsis In considering ethical issues, the subject aims to cover moral responsibility and decision making in nursing, to explore current bioethical issues and to examine ethics committees and their functions. Legal studies will introduce current Australian law and associated legal institutions and processes. Emphasis is placed on the legal relationship and obligations of nurses to their patients, patients' relatives and other health care professionals. Throughout the course students will be encouraged to draw upon past experiences, and learn to appreciate the legal ramifications which can arise from an increasingly complex workplace. Case studies will be used to highlight legal problems affecting nurses.
Assessment Ethics assignment: 50% * Legal assignment: 50% * To be accredited with a pass or higher grade a satisfactory level must be achieved in both law and ethics.
Prescribed texts
Ethics
Johnstone M J Bioethics: A nursing perspective 2nd edn, Saunders Bailliere Tindell, 1994
Legal studies
Edginton J Law for the nursing profession 3rd edn, CCH, 1995 or
Wallace M Health care and the law 2nd edn, Law Book, 1995
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