Chabot College
Fall, 2004
Course Outline for Nursing 57
LEGAL-ETHICAL ISSUES IN NURSING
Catalog Description:
Nursing 57 - Legal-Ethical Issues in Nursing
0.5 unit
Basic distinctions between law and ethics as they impact the nurse, with special attention to the
California Nursing Practice Act and the law of negligence in professional malpractice; emphasis on
standards of care, client rights, informed consent, and charting. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the
Nursing Program, or concurrent enrollment in another nursing program, or if taken for Continuing
Education, valid California RN or LVN license. May be offered in Distance Education delivery format.
1 hour lecture. Total weeks: 9.
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to identify or discuss:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
the basics of the Nursing Practice Act;
the basics of institutional standards of care, including institutional policy and procedures;
the elements of a negligence action;
the unique aspects of professional malpractice;
principles of informed consent for medical treatment;
principles of client confidentiality;
principles of client rights;
the basics of Advance Directives;
the Incident Report and charting guidelines.
Course Content:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Aspects of negligence in regard to the California Nursing Practice Act
Principles of professional malpractice
The role of professional accountability in malpractice law
Principles of informed consent for medical treatment
Issues of client confidentiality and rights
Principles of Advance Directives
Approaches to filing Incident Reports and charting
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lecture/discussion
Guided independent study
Audio-visual aids
Guest speakers
Chabot College
Course Outline for Legal-Ethical Issues in Nursing, Nursing 57, Page 2
Fall, 2004
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Written tests
2. In-class participation
3. Written final exam
Textbook(s) (typical):
Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing, Aiken, Burkhardt & Nathan, Delmar, 2nd ed.
Special Student Materials:
Reading materials prepared by the instructor.
Nsgotl57.word/slj
9/03