Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Introduction to Ethics in Nursing
SCQF level: 09:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: NUR09903
Module leader: Leila El Alti
School School of Health & Social Care
Subject area group: Nursing
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
Description of module content:

This module introduces you to fundamentals of ethics in nursing practice. It will support you in upholding relevant codes of nursing practice by enhancing your knowledge and understanding of normative ethical theory, principles of biomedical ethics, and relevant legislation. The aim is to help you deliver competent, professional, responsible, and autonomous nursing practice through developing your moral reasoning and judgement about clinical situations which involve conflicting considerations and duties. You will consider the relevance of law, healthcare legislation, ethical duties, normative theory, public safety, and professional values and conduct. You will also explore ethical, legal, and professional nursing practice in relation to culture and society and their combined influence on decision-making in healthcare. You will explore the possibility of simultaneously accepting patient diversity and individuality, fulfilling various professional duties, and appreciating the complexity of applying ethics in nursing practice. You will be encouraged to reflect on your role as patient advocate and on your personal ethical framework, values, and culture, and how these influence your moral judgement as well as your approach to patient care. You will explore opportunities to continuously develop professional integrity, self-awareness, and reflective practice in your nursing care.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Demonstrate critical ethical reasoning using the ethical principles which guide nursing practice and healthcare provision.

LO2: Critically examine the relationship between law and ethics in nursing practice.

LO3: Implement and appraise a decision making process using a legal and ethical framework and/or code of practice.

LO4: Demonstrate critical understanding of values-based practice for a population group to inform future delivery of health care services.

LO5: Critically reflect on how healthcare legislation, culture, and society influence ethical nursing practice, health, and well-being more broadly.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2025/6, Trimester 2, Blended,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: Blended
Location of delivery: SIGHTHILL
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Leila El Alti
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 15 You will attend weekly face-to-face lectures, combined with tutorial activities. The combined lecture-tutorial will be offered weekly and will take 3 hours.
Face To Face Tutorial 15 You will attend face-to-face tutorials with activities integrated as part of the face-to-face lectures. The combined lecture-tutorial will be offered weekly and will take 3 hours.
Face To Face Seminar 20 You will attend face-to-face seminars weekly which will provide the opportunity to discuss ethical dilemmas and weekly readings in depth. Seminars will also help prepare you for the final assessment and give you the opportunity to provide peer feedback during the discussion. Seminar discussions will take roughly 1.5 hours in addition to 30 minutes at the end for questions.
Online Guided independent study 150 Guided independent study will support your learning. You will have weekly readings and online learning activities in preparation for the weekly seminars.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Oral Assessment 100 1~2~3~4~5 Exam Period HOURS= 1 hr You will engage in a 1-hour group discussion about a clinical ethical dilemma which will be provided to you ahead of time. The seminar will be facilitated by the assessor, who will award you individually a mark based on your ethical reasoning, contribution to the discussion, ability to argue your points, application of the principles of biomedical ethics, links to nursing values and implications on nursing practice, evaluation of a decision-making process, and discussion of relevant legal, cultural, and professional considerations to the scenario. You will also need to hand in an annotated bibliography at the beginning of the seminar.
Component 1 subtotal: 100
Component 2 subtotal: 0
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Contact your module leader
 

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