Library: Nursing: Legal and ethical practices

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Law nursing	344.940414; 344.94041; 344.0414
Ethics nursing	344.10414; 174.2; 174.207
Law ethics nursing	344.410414
Medical ethics	174.2; 174
Patient rights	344.94041; 344.940414
Voluntary euthanasia	179.70994; 179.9

Selection of books in the Library

Takes a logical, structured approach to explain the breadth of this area of law across all Australian jurisdictions.

Develops an innovative practical framework for understanding the ethical and legal dimensions of nursing practice in Australia.

Interprofessional ethics : collaboration in the social, health and human Services

Equip readers with the knowledge and skills to work within collaborative teams, and consider the perspectives, approaches and values of others.

Examines the spectrum of bioethical issues in Australia health care, with a strong emphasis on the principles and standards of human rights and social justice

Essentials of Law for Health Professionals 4e

Provides students with the information and knowledge necessary to make well-informed and considered decisions about their legal rights and obligations.

A concise introduction to the law as it pertains health care provision in Australia.

dvd's in the Library

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Featured dvd's:

Work legally and ethically : for workers supporting people living at home by Ideas that Work Support workers must work both legally and ethically. Working legally means working within the law. It is what you must do. Working ethically is what you should do. It means making decisions based on good values, such as honesty, fairness and not doing harm. Working legally and ethically go hand in hand to provide the best care possible to every client. In the DVD there are eight scenarios which show a situation between a client and a support worker where there is a legal situation or ethical dilemma. The DVD can be used as an interactive learning tool. Show the scenario, with some potential responses from the worker and possible consequences of those responses. Then pause the video, discuss the responses, and if anything else could happen. Start the video again and the correct response is given.
Call Number: AV 361.32 WOR
Publication Date: 2018

Online EBSCOhost journal articles

Kelly, P., & Porr, C. (2018). Ethical Nursing Care Versus Cost Containment: Considerations to Enhance RN Practice. Online Journal Of Issues In Nursing, 23(1), 3. doi:10.3912/OJIN.Vol23No01Man06 Registered nurses (RNs) are constantly challenged to provide quality nursing care while resources are chipped away, sometimes along with their energy, pride, and ability to provide holistic patient care. Many experience frustration and a sense of powerlessness to change their circumstances. We discuss working in a restructured healthcare system and demonstrate how the business model of healthcare routinely undermines the professional knowledge of RNs and their ethical mandate to provide individualized patient-centered care, often causing tensions, strains, and ethical conflicts. As such, many RNs experience chafing and displaced aggression that is harmful to themselves and the nursing profession, and offer suffer in silence. We offer a call to speak up and out, and conclude with recommendations to assist RNs to understand the realities of their work life and improve their practice environments.
New Codes of Ethics for Nurses and Midwives. (2018). Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal, 25(9), 12. The article reports that Australian nursing and midwifery organisations collectively adopted the International Council of Nurses' "Code of Ethics for Nurses" and the International Confederation of Midwives' Code of Ethics for Midwives in March 2018 as their guiding documents on ethical decision making across the professions..
Johnstone, M. (2017). Is Nursing Ethics Good Enough?. Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal, 25(3), 19. The article discusses nursing ethics which aim to promote the wellbeing of patients through the delivery of good nursing care. Topics include the ethical concepts, values and theories that are important to the profession and practice of nursing, the failure of nurses in meeting the ethical conduct standards expected of them, and the tasks of contemporary nursing ethics..
Starr, L. (2017). Friendship or Therapeutic Relationships?. Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal, 25(4), 36. The article discusses the need for the regulation of health practitioners and the establishment of registration standards, codes and policies to guide professional conduct. Topics discussed include cases concerning breaches of professional boundaries and a case in which it was found that a medical practitioner committed professional misconduct when he continued to treat an elderly patient in the community despite being aware that she had made him a beneficiary in her will..
Johnstone, M. (2016). Academic Dishonesty and Unethical Behaviour in the Workplace. Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal, 23(11), 33. The article discusses academic dishonesty as a moral issue for the nursing profession in Australia. Topics covered include the use of contract cheating services by domestic students and international students alike, the different forms of academic dishonesty such as plagiarism, altering records and forging academic documents, and the need to raise the level of academic integrity in universities..
Johnstone, M. (2016). Key milestones in the operationalisation of professional nursing ethics in Australia: a brief historical overview. Australian Journal Of Advanced Nursing, 33(4), 35-45. Objective To provide a brief historical overview of the achievement of key milestones in the development of mechanisms for operationalising professional nursing ethics in Australia; examples of such milestones include: the publication of the first Australian text on nursing ethics (1989), the provision of the first Australian national distance education course on nursing ethics for registered nurses (1990), the adoption of the first code of ethics for Australian nurses (1993), and the commissioning of the first regular column on nursing ethics by the Australian Nurses Journal (2008). Setting Australian nursing ethics. Primary argument An historical perspective on the achievement of key milestones in the development of mechanisms for operationalising professional nursing ethics in Australia has been poorly documented. As a consequence an authentic 'Australian voice' is missing in global discourses on the history and development of nursing ethics as a field of inquiry. Compared with other countries, the achievement of key milestones pertinent to the operationalisation of nursing ethics in Australia has been relatively slow. Even so, over the past three decades an Australian perspective on nursing ethics has gained a notable voice in the international arena with Australian nursing scholars now making a significant contribution to the field. Conclusion Nursing ethics in Australia remains a 'work in progress'. Although significant achievements have been made in the last three decades, the ongoing development of mechanisms for advancing nursing ethics in Australia would benefit from the development and implementation of a strategic agenda of collaborative, internationally comparative, cross disciplinary scholarship, research and critique.
Johnstone, M. (2016). Professional Ethics, Bullying and Workplace Cliques. Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal, 23(9), 14. The article discusses bullying in nursing in Australia as an occupational health and safety issue and as a matter of professional ethics. Topics covered include its breach of the profession's accepted ethical standards, nurses' moral obligation to recognize bullying and support the implementation of anti-bullying processes, and the difficulty of recognizing forms of bullying such as relational aggression. Social exclusion and alienation resulting from workplace cliques are also mentioned..
Nilsson, A., Rasmussen, B. H., & Edvardsson, D. (2016). A threat to our integrity - Meanings of providing nursing care for older patients with cognitive impairment in acute care settings. Scandinavian Journal Of Caring Sciences, 30(1), 48-56. doi:10.1111/ Background Older people with cognitive impairment represent a large group of patients in acute care settings. Research show that these acute care environments can be unsafe and even unfriendly for frail older patients. Research and clinical experience show that being a nurse in acute/specialised medical facilities means to work in a high-speed, technologically complex and demanding environment. When caring for older patients with cognitive impairment, nurses' workload and responsibilities have been shown to increase. This is largely dependent on how easily it is to connect with and help patients understand what to do, and what is best for them. Aim This study aimed to illuminate meanings of caring for older patients with cognitive impairment in acute care settings as experienced by nursing staff. Method A purposeful sample of thirteen nurses experienced in caring for older people with cognitive impairment in acute care settings participated in the study. Narrative interviews were conducted during autumn 2012 and interpreted using a phenomenological hermeneutic method. Findings Caring for older, acutely ill cognitively impaired patients was found to be very complex. The meanings of caring for these older patients seemed to change depending on the nurses' perceptions of the patients and the gap between what they could do (real) and wanted to do (ideal) in providing care for them. The greater this gap was felt to be and the more care was perceived as meaningless, the more serious was the threat to nurses' personal-professional integrity which could be at risk, compromised or harmed. Conclusion The comprehensive understanding indicates that being a nurse and having to care for older patients in acute care settings means providing nursing care in an environment that does not support possibilities to protect and develop nurses' personal-professional integrity.
Sciubba, J. D. (2016). Securing rights in the twenty-first century: A comparison of the disability and older persons’ rights conventions. Journal of Human Rights, 15(4), 533–549. This article assesses the outcome of the proposed UN Convention on the Rights of Older People (CROP) by comparing its political, economic, and social contexts with those of the 2006 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The research draws on interviews with those involved in the debates, nonparticipant observation, and analysis of primary and secondary literature. The article concludes that weakness of the aging advocacy network compared to the disability network and a relatively more closed political opportunity structure negatively influence the CROP's prospects. However, many of the hurdles proponents of the CROP face are similar to those faced at the beginning of the CRPD campaign, so progress and eventual adoption are possible. By comparison with the closely related CRPD, social scientists can better understand the institutional and contextual factors that influence campaign success in the contemporary context and advocates of the CROP can better anticipate roadblocks.

eBooks

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Featured titles:

Key Concepts and Issues in Nursing Ethics by Anne Scott (Editor) Short case studies, based on real stories from the health care arena, ensure that each chapter of this book is rooted in descriptions of nursing practise that are grounded, salient narratives of nursing care. The reader is assisted to explore the ethical dimension of nursing practice: what it is and how it can be portrayed, discussed, and analysed within a variety of practice and theoretical contexts. One of the unique contributions of this book is to consider nursing not only in the context of the individual nurse - patient relationship but also as a social good that is of necessity limited, due to the ultimate limits on the nursing and health care resource. This book will help the reader consider what good nursing looks like, both within the context of limitations on resources and under conditions of scarcity. Indeed, any discussion of ethical issues in nursing should be well grounded in a conceptualisation of nursing that nursing students and practising nursing can recognise, accept and engage with. Nursing, like medicine, social work and teaching has a clear moral aim - to do good. In the case of nursing to do good for the patient. However it is vital that in the pressurised, constrained health service of the 21st century, we help nurses explore what this might mean for nursing practice and what can reasonably be expected of the individual nurse in terms of good nursing care.
ISBN: 9783319492490
Publication Date: 2017-04-04

Online resources

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Academic Search Premier : EBSCO Content Includes More than 3,200 active full-text journals and magazines More than 2,800 active full-text peer-reviewed journals More than 1,300 active full-text peer-reviewed journals with no embargo More than 2,200 active full-text journals indexed in Web of Science or Scopus Subjects Include: Biology; Chemistry; Engineering; Physics; Psychology; Religion and philosophy; Science and technology Veterinary science; Superb Coverage to Support the Academic Curriculum Academic Search Premier covers the expansive academic disciplines offered in colleges and universities. It provides comprehensive content, including PDF backfiles to 1975 for more than 120 journals and searchable cited references for more than 1,000 titles.
CINAHL Plus with Full Text : EBSCO This comprehensive research database provides full text for nursing and allied health journals indexed in CINAHL Plus. Additional materials include full-text evidence-based care sheets, quick lessons and continuing education modules. Nursing and Allied Health Content from the Most Authoritative Sources CINAHL Plus with Full Text includes publications from the National League for Nursing and the American Nurses Association. Many of the most popular full-text journals are available with no embargo. In addition, this resource offers access to health care books, nursing dissertations, selected conference proceedings, standards of practice, audiovisuals, book chapters and more. CINAHL Plus with Full Text covers a wide range of topics including nursing, biomedicine, health sciences librarianship, alternative/complementary medicine, consumer health and 17 allied health disciplines. A Powerful Research Tool CINAHL Plus with Full Text provides an easy-to-use interface with basic and advanced search features and searchable cited references. CINAHL Subject Headings follow the structure of the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) used by the National Library of Medicine.
ComLaw (Commonwealth Law) The Federal Register of Legislation (the Legislation Register) is the authorised whole-of-government website for Commonwealth legislation and related documents. It contains the full text and details of the lifecycle of individual laws and the relationships between them. The Legislation Register is managed by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel in accordance with the Legislation Act 2003.
Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition : EBSCO Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition provides researchers, allied health professionals, nurses and medical educators with access to full-text scholarly journals focusing on many medical disciplines. It provides indexing, abstracts and full-text for hundreds of nursing and allied health journals, many of which are peer-reviewed. Content Includes: More than 330 full-text journals; 260 peer-reviewed, full-text journals; Indexing and abstracting from more than 830 journals
Joanna Briggs Institute EBP Database : OVID Unique database + journal package from one of the world's leading sources of information and strategies on evidence-based practice. Here, you get access to two unique and powerful resources: - Comprehensive evidence-based database that covers a wide range of medical, nursing, and health science specialties, and includes a unique suite of information that’s been analyzed, appraised, and prepared by expert reviewers at JBI. - Peer-reviewed journal articles on systematic review protocols and systematic reviews of healthcare research that follow the JBI methodology. JBI is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading providers of evidence–based information from across the globe, as well as tools to help healthcare professionals implement an effective evidence–based practice program and provide the best possible patient care.
Vocational Studies Complete : EBSCO Meeting the Unique Needs of Vocational Programs Vocational Studies Complete contains full-text journals and a selection of full-text books applicable to two-year college programs. Key subjects include biotechnology, computer and data processing, cosmetology, electrical technology, forensics, graphic arts, health information technology, interior design, paralegal studies, robotics and tourism. Subjects Include: Alcohol and drug abuse counselling; Biotechnology; Computer and data processing; Cosmetology; Electrical technology; Fashion design; Forensics; Graphic arts; Health information technology; Interior design; Law enforcement and criminal justice; Travel and tourism; Veterinary assisting Content Includes Nearly 2,200 full-text journals Nearly 360 full-text books
Ethics and Legal Concepts in Nursing : Introduction : ClickView (2009)
Explores ethics in nursing, with reference to the Australian Code of Nursing Ethics.
Ethics and Legal Concepts in Nursing - Consent : ClickView (2009)
Program covers the Australian Nursing Code of Ethics.
Professional Boundaries in Health Care : ClickView online resource Professional boundaries refer to the distinctions that a worker makes between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. In a health care environment, they are critical to maintain a professional relationship between workers and clients. However, it is an area where there can be many shades of grey, forcing health care providers to use appropriate decision-making tools to guide their behaviour. This program provides an introduction to the area of professional boundaries, and includes interviews with three experienced health professionals, including renowned consultant and trainer, Jenny Bray - along with some excellent dramatised scenarios aimed at provoking thought and discussion in this important area.
Stem Cells : The Ethical Issues : ClickView online resource This program tackles one of the most contentious areas of contemporary science: embryonic stem cell research. Different viewpoints are presented, and speakers include: ? Professor Alan Trounson, prominent stem cell scientist ? Father Norman Ford, an ethics commentator ? Patients with life-threatening medical conditions They explain what they believe the important issues to be, and the reasons for their views. Each section is introduced with relevant facts explained in simple terms.

Useful websites

Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights in Victoria The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights describes the rights of patients, consumers and other people using the Australian healthcare system. These rights are essential to make sure that, wherever and whenever healthcare is provided, it is of high quality and is safe. The Charter was developed by the Healthcare Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare in consultation with the health sector, government and health consumer groups, and adopted by federal and state health ministers in July 2008. Prior to this date Victoria had the Victorian Public Hospital Patient Charter and incorporated much of the material from that charter into the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights in Victoria.
The Medical Journal of Australia: Ethics and Law
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Board: Codes and Guidelines The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) provides guidance to nurses and midwives by publishing a range of professional codes and guidelines. These documents: •help understand the NMBA’s expectations and requirements; and •provide pathways to meet them.
Code of Ethics for Nurses : International Council of Nurses : adopted for Australian nurses and midwives from 1 March 2018 The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses, most recently revised in 2012, is a guide for action based on social values and needs.The Code has served as the standard for nurses worldwide since it was first adopted in 1953. The Code is regularly reviewed and revised in response to the realities of nursing and health care in a changing society. The Code makes it clear that inherent in nursing is respect for human rights, including the right to life, to dignity and to be treated with respect. The ICN Code of Ethics guides nurses in everyday choices and it supports their refusal to participate in activities that conflict with caring and healing.
International Code of Ethics For Midwives: Midwifery Today The aim of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) is to improve the standard of care provided to women, babies and families throughout the world through the development, education, and appropriate utilization of the professional midwife. In keeping with its aim of women’s health and focus on the midwife, the ICM sets forth the following code to guide the education, practice and research of the midwife.
Use of social media and online networking : Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation guideline (2017) Social media incorporates the online and mobile device tools people use to share opinions, information, experiences, images, and video or audio clips, as well as websites and other electronic applications used for social networking. Access to social media sites, feeds and groups has become simpler and more affordable for most Australians. The purpose of this guideline is to:  Clarify the role and obligation of nurses, midwives and assistants in nursing in their use of social media and online networking in both their professional and personal lives;  Guide nurses, midwives and assistants in nursing on the issues to be considered when using various social media and online networking platforms; and,  Clarify the role and obligation of employers in providing safeguards around the use of social media technologies in the workplace.