1st Edition
Law, Ethics and Professional Issues for Nursing A Reflective and Portfolio-Building Approach
This comprehensive new textbook covers core ethical and legal content for pre-registration nursing students. It provides readers with a sound understanding of the interrelationships between the NMC's code of conduct, standards and competencies, ethics and relevant sections of the English legal system.
The only truly integrated text in the field, it opens with overviews of law and nursing, and ethical theories and nursing. It goes on to explore key areas of contention – such as negligence, confidentiality and consent – from legal and ethical perspectives, mapping the discussion onto the NMC code of conduct. The chapters include objectives, patient-focused case scenarios, key points, activities, questions, areas for reflection, further reading and a summary. Case law and statutes and ethical theories are presented where appropriate.
Written by an experienced nurse-lecturer with a law and ethics teaching background, Law, Ethics and Professional Issues for Nursing is essential reading for all pre-registration nursing students, as well as students of other healthcare professions.
1. Introduction 2. Applying Professional Codes, Laws and Moral Principles 3. Nurses and the Law 4. Introduction to the English Legal System 5. Consent: Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues 6. Confidentiality: Legal, Ethical and Professional Dimensions 7. Negligence in Healthcare 8. Ethics in Nursing: the Case for Ethics 9. The Importance of Ethical Practice 10. Ethical Theories Part I: Principlism 11. Ethical Theories Part II: Deontology, Teleology and Caring Ethics 12. Record Keeping 13. Caring for Older People 14. Child Protection 15. Mental Health Law (Herman Wheeler and Christopher Waggstaff)
Biography
Herman Wheeler is a Lecturer in Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Birmingham. UK. A trained mental health and adult nurse, he also holds a postgraduate diploma and MA in law and is a Chartered Psychologist. He currently teaches law and ethics to nursing and health students.
‘Ethical concerns and dilemmas form some of the most challenging aspects of modern healthcare. This book will help health professionals to avoid these pitfalls by developing the skills required for ethical, transparent decision making. The book facilitates a sound understanding of ethical theories and their application. The exercises and examples will enable students and qualified practitioners to develop confidence and competence in dealing with ethical issues, handling diverse opinions and deal with people with whom they may not agree. Written by a highly experienced nurse lecturer, this book is an important contribution to the preparation of future and current health professionals and a must buy for everyone’s bookshelf.’ – Paula McGee, Professor of Nursing, Birmingham City University, UK.
