Nurse 1001- Ethical and Legal Issues

Ethics

The study or examination of morality through a variety of different approaches. It refers to the values and standards of individuals and professions.

Ethical Principles and Theories

The philosophical ideals of right and wrong that guide ethical decision-making. Examples include deontology, utilitarianism, bioethics, feminists, and relational ethics.

Impact of Ethical and Legal Issues on Nursing and Healthcare

The ways in which ethical and legal issues affect the nursing profession and healthcare as a whole.

College of Nurses Ethics- Code of Conduct

A set of six principles that guide the ethical conduct of nurses, including respecting clients' dignity, providing safe and competent care, and maintaining public confidence in the nursing profession.

Entry-To-Practice Competencies

The knowledge, skills, judgment, and professional values that registered nurses integrate into their practice to provide safe, competent, ethical, compassionate, and evidence-informed care across the lifespan.

CNA Code of Ethics

A code that outlines the ethical responsibilities of nurses, including providing safe, compassionate, competent, and ethical care, promoting health and well-being, and being accountable.

Ethical Theory

Different approaches to ethics, including ethics of duty, ethics of consequence, ethics of character, and ethics of relationships.

Ethical Principles

Fundamental principles that guide ethical decision-making, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, fidelity, and veracity.

Autonomy

The principle that asserts that a capable and competent individual is free to determine and act in accordance with a self-chosen plan. It involves respecting patients' choices and granting them the right to privacy and confidentiality.

Veracity

The duty to tell the truth, which is central to developing trust in nurse-patient relationships.

Non-maleficence and Beneficence

The principles of not inflicting harm and promoting good, respectively. Nurses strive to prevent harm, remove harm, and do or promote good in their care.

Fidelity

The virtue of nurses being loyal, keeping promises, and telling the truth to those in their care. Conflicts may arise when being loyal to the patient compromises one's own ethical principles and laws.

Impact of Ethical Issues on Nursing and Healthcare

The ways in which ethical issues impact the nursing profession and healthcare, including responsibility, accountability, answerability, and advocacy.

Ethical Dilemma

A conflict between two sets of human values, both of which are judged to be "good" but neither of which can be fully served.

Ethical Issues in Nursing

Examples of ethical issues that nurses may face, such as protecting patients' rights and human dignity, working with unethical or impaired colleagues, and inadequate resources.

Law

A set of rules and obligations that reflect popular beliefs about "right" and "wrong." It defines rights and obligations, and violations may result in penalties.

Sources of Law

Different sources of law, including civil law, statutes, and torts (willful acts and unintentional acts).

Nursing and the Law

The importance of nurses understanding legal issues related to scope of practice, autonomy, patients' legal rights, professional status, and self-regulation.

Nursing Act 1991

Legislation that governs the nursing profession in Ontario, including scope of practice, provisions and regulations specific to nursing, and regulations on controlled acts authorized to nursing.

Determining Scope of Practice

The process of determining the scope of practice for nurses, which includes entry-to-practice standards, College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) practice standards, controlled acts, and standards of care.

Nursing Classes in Ontario

The different classes of nurses in Ontario, including Registered Nurses (RNs), Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs), and Nurse Practitioners.