Nursing Ethics BSN 2nd Year: Course Description
This course is designed to provide learners with an overview of the basic concepts of ethics, including its theories, principles, and norms. The course aims to raise awareness of the factors that need to be considered when dealing with ethical decisions, affirming nursing as an ethically responsible profession. Additionally, it will provide a forum for learners to reflect upon ethical issues or dilemmas that they identify during their clinical practice.
Course Objectives
By the completion of the course, learners will be able to:
- Define ethical principles in healthcare.
- Discuss the ethical, moral, and professional responsibilities of the nurse.
- Discuss the nurse’s individual liability within the ethical scope of nursing practice.
- Identify ethical concerns in clinical settings and discuss alternatives for the identified ethical concerns.
- Discuss the changing healthcare environment and the role of nurses in the delivery of ethical nursing care.
Teaching/Learning Strategies
- Interactive lectures
- Small group discussions
- Role play
- Group presentations
- Debates
- Case study discussions
Course Expectations
- Attendance as per policy.
- Active participation in class.
- Take examinations as scheduled.
Evaluation Criteria
- Debate: 20%
- Diary-Journal (monthly): 20%
- Final Exam: 40%
- Case-based classroom test: 20%
- Total: 100%
Nursing Ethics Topics
Unit I: Introduction to Nursing Ethics
- Define Terms: Ethics, nursing ethics, bioethics, values, beliefs, morals, attitudes, conflict, dilemma, and ethical dilemma.
- Discuss the Importance of Ethics in Nursing: Review the criteria of a profession and develop characteristics of a professional nurse.
Unit II: Value Set
- Define Values: Value clarification, types of values, and identification of personal, societal, organizational, professional, and moral values.
- Explain Modes of Value Transmission: Recognize value conflicts and their implications for nursing practice. List the advantages of value clarification in the nursing profession.
- Develop Professional Values: Discuss the implications of nursing care ethics in a diverse society and the ethical, moral, and professional responsibilities of the nurse.
- Discuss Nurse’s Liability: Identify ethical concerns in the clinical area and discuss alternatives for the identified ethical concerns. Discuss the changing healthcare environment for the role of nurses in delivering ethical nursing care.
Unit III: Ethical Principles and Theories
- Discuss Ethical Principles in Healthcare: Explore ethical theories and the ethical dilemmas faced by nurses and clients.
- Discuss Strategies to Resolve Ethical Dilemmas: List steps for ethical decision-making.
Unit IV: Confidentiality and Informed Consent
- Define Confidentiality and Informed Consent: Discuss the importance of confidentiality and consent.
- List Ethical and Legal Elements of Informed Consent: Discuss the informed consent process and the nurse’s roles and responsibilities in this process. Explore the implications of case consultation in nursing ethics.
Unit V: Bills of Rights
- Define Rights and Bills of Rights: List the types of rights and describe the role of nurses in relation to bills of rights.
- Explain Patient’s Bills of Rights: Discuss the relevance of these rights in a tertiary care health facility.
Unit VI: Code of Ethics
- Define Code and Code of Ethics: List the functions and elements of an ethical code.
- Explain the Code of Ethics by ICN and Pakistan Nursing Council: Compare the codes of ethics from the International Council of Nursing (ICN) and the Pakistan Nursing Council. Discuss the application of the code of ethics in clinical settings and define the Nursing Pledge in relation to the code of ethics.
Unit VII: Professional Autonomy and Ethics
- Define Key Terms: Profession, professional, autonomy, accountability, and unity.
- Discuss Characteristics of Professional Nurses: Relate the code of ethics to professional status and discuss professional autonomy and ethics.
- Relate Accountability to Professional Status: Discuss the concept of unity and its relationship to professional status in nursing. Explore how nursing ethics connects to the standards of nursing practices.
Unit VIII: Ethical Dilemma in Professional Practice
- Define Dilemma and Professional Obligation: Identify common areas of negligence and nurses’ liability in these areas.
- Discuss Nurses’ Advocacy: Explore various scenarios and clinical cases related to life support equipment, selling body parts, risk management and occupational hazards, documentation of nursing care, employment issues, and medical malpractice lawsuits.
Unit IX: International Health Organizations and Nursing Organizations
- Identify Nursing Organizations Worldwide: Discuss the functions of the International Council of Nursing (ICN) and the role of the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Elaborate the Functions of Pakistan Nursing Association: Explore the roles of relevant federations and councils.
This comprehensive Nursing Ethics curriculum is designed to ensure that nursing students understand the ethical principles and frameworks that guide their professional practice. By engaging with various ethical dilemmas and frameworks, students will be better prepared to navigate the complex moral landscapes they will encounter in their clinical careers. Through interactive learning strategies and thoughtful discussion, students will cultivate a deep understanding of their responsibilities as ethical practitioners in nursing.