Overview

This unit will introduce students to the philosophical and theoretical traditions of ethics and the law, and their application in contemporary nursing to health care situations and dilemmas.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Admission into BA-NUR - Bachelor of Nursing

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
21-July-2025
09-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
03-August-2025
Census date
15-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025
Semester 2
Location
Wantirna
Start and end dates
21-July-2025
09-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
03-August-2025
Census date
15-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
20-July-2026
01-November-2026
Last self-enrolment date
02-August-2026
Census date
18-August-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
15-September-2026
Results released date
08-December-2026
Semester 2
Location
Wantirna
Start and end dates
20-July-2026
01-November-2026
Last self-enrolment date
02-August-2026
Census date
18-August-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
15-September-2026
Results released date
08-December-2026

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Discuss ethical theory, principles and values that guide decision-making in nursing
  • Outline the Australian legal system and identify relevant legislation to nursing
  • Discuss specific Australian legislation and how it applies to health care contexts
  • Discuss professional codes of conduct and standards of practice that apply to nursing practice
  • Apply the principles of safe and accurate documentation in health care settings, in line with legal and ethical requirements

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week Venue Type and Activity Detail
Online Lecture 12 10 weeks 1.2 Asynchronous
On-campus Class 12 6 weeks 2 Tutorial
Specified Activities Various 36 12 weeks 3 Discussion boards, Readings
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning 90 12 weeks 7.5 Independent study, Assignment preparation, Revision
Total Hours: 150 Total Hours (per week): 13.7  

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Assignment Individual  30%  2,3,4,5 
Examination Individual  50%  1,2,3,4,5 
Online Quizzes Individual  20%  1,2 

Content

  • The Paradigms of Nursing: Ethical, Legal, Professional and Nursing Knowledge
  • Ethical theories and application to nursing
  • Contemporary health care issues within legal and ethical frameworks
  • The Australian legal system and relevant legislation
  • Examination of tort law
  • Professional regulation
  • Documentation in healthcare

Graduate Attributes:

  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Verbal communication
  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Communicating using different media

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.