Program Overview

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NRS220 Professional Nursing 2

This subject is designed to provide students with an introduction to legal and ethical issues likely to arise in relation to practice as registered nurses. The themes of client autonomy and self-determination, client rights and professional responsibility will be examined within the context of health care delivery.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health

Enrolment Restrictions

Available to Bachelor of Nursing students only

Incompatible Subjects

NRS190

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• understand the laws that influence the practice of nursing
• critically discuss the major legal and ethical issues arising out of health care delivery
• identify the steps in ethical decision-making
• discuss the relationship between legal and professional responsibility
• describe legal and ethical issues relating to particular groups within the health care system (e.g., client and cultural groups)
• understand and discuss concepts of bioethics related to practice

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• Ethical theory and values
• Structure of the Australian legal system, sources of law
• Law affecting nursing practice: tort of negligence, vicarious liability, assault and battery, consent
• Legislation relating to the Nurses Act, Poisons Act, Mental Health Act, Occupational Health and Safety, and Guardianship
• Legal and ethical issues pertinent to nursing
• Analysis of legal/professional relationships
• Legal and ethical issues relating to specific health care groups (this includes women, adults, adolescents, children, mentally disturbed, developmentally disabled)
• Ethical issues inherent in a range of clinical areas (these may include issues related to developmental disability, palliative care, blood-borne viruses, neonatal intensive care, transplantation units, public health)
• Professional Codes of Ethics and Conduct for Nurses