Nursing Ethics and Philosophy

Goal: The course is designed to enable the students develop attitudes to function efficiently as a member of the health team. It introduces the students to common laws and professional statutes as they affect the nursing education and practice in Nigeria and globally. It enables the students develop their personal philosophy of nursing. Course Objectives: On completion of this course the students should be able to:- Understand ethical theories and principles in relation to nursing and medical practice Discuss ethical dilemmas and decision making process in resolving them Appreciate patients’ rights and responsibilities within and outside the hospital settings Discuss challenges to nurse’s rights and responsibilities in the Nigerian society Understand and comply with laws and regulations governing the practice of the nursing profession in and outside Nigeria Develop their own philosophy of nursing Course Content: Unit I: Introduction to Ethics and Philosophy  Definition and branches of Philosophy  Ethical Theories – Consequentialism, Deontology, etc  Ethical (Moral) Principles – Autonomy, Beneficence, Fidelity, Confidentiality, etc  Ethical considerations and dilemmas  Unit II: Nursing Ethics  Foundation of Nursing Ethics (National and International)  International Council of Nurses (ICN) Code of Ethics  International Council of Midwives (ICM) Code of Ethics, etc  Code of ethics for nurses in Nigeria Unit III: Laws and Regulations Governing Nursing Laws and Regulations governing nursing education/practice in Nigeria Standard of nursing care. Nurses in the health team within the Nigerian health care system – community based services, hospital based services, primary/secondary/tertiary health institutions, private and public settings, emergency services etc. Institutional rules, regulations and constraints opposed to professional ethics. Unit IV: Client and Nurse’ Rights / Responsibilities  Patient’s rights and responsibilities – Bill of Rights, informed consent, etc  Nurse’s rights and responsibilities – Rights, therapeutic use of self, behaviour control  Ethical Issues including Abortion, euthanasia, dying and death  Ethical Problems including Confidentiality, Restraints, Trust, Refusing to Provide Care, End of Life Issues (Pain control, Do not resuscitate orders, life support …) etc  Dilemmas and decision making process  The Nurse Advocate