Course Title: Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2025
Course Code: NURS5421C
Course Title: Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice
School: 535T Social Care and Health
Campus: Bundoora Campus
Program: C5417 - Diploma of Nursing
Course Contact: Suzie Cicero
Course Contact Phone: 03 9925-1812
Course Contact Email: suzie.cicero@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Pink Garg
Program Coordinator
Nominal Hours: 30
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
Nil
Course Description
In this course you will learn the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to work within legal and ethical parameters in professional nursing practice, including supporting rights and meeting duty of care requirements.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
HLTENN041 Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice |
Element: |
1. Practise within scope of professional nursing practice. |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1. Identify legislative requirements relevant to professional nursing practice and explain how these requirements impact own nursing practice. 1.2. Comply with requirements of legislation related to nursing practice and identify implications of non-compliance. 1.3. Apply codes of ethics, codes of conduct and the enrolled nurse standards for practice. 1.4. Function within scope of jurisdictional requirements for enrolled nurse professional nursing practice. 1.5. Respond to each person in accordance with organisational policies and procedures, including responding appropriately and sensitively to complaints. 1.6. Complete documentation in accordance with State/Territory legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 1.7. Monitor and record compliance with legal obligations and requirements. |
Element: |
2. Apply legal framework to nursing practice. |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1. Apply concepts of negligence, duty of care and vicarious liability to professional practice as an enrolled nurse. 2.2. Obtain consent before undertaking treatment and procedures. 2.3. Apply principles of restraint including correct intent and application of restraint. 2.4. Use and interpret common legal terms associated with nursing practice. 2.5. Write nursing practice reports according to legal requirements and organisational expectations and requirements. 2.6. Observe privacy and confidentiality requirements in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational policies and procedures. |
Element: |
3. Apply ethical concepts to clinical practice. |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1. Identify and describe ethics and its place in nursing practice. 3.2. Apply ethical practice in own interactions with the person, families or carers and colleagues. 3.3. Identify contemporary ethical issues and potential conflicts of interest that may impact nursing practice. 3.4. Identify, document and report potential ethical issues in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. 3.5. Develop and implement strategies to resolve ethical issues within own nursing practice in accordance with role parameters. |
Element: |
4. Support the rights, interests and needs of the person, families and carers. |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1. Comply with legal responsibilities and duty of care requirements in care activities and interactions with the person, families and carers. 4.2. Encourage person to exercise their right to make informed decisions about their care. 4.3. Demonstrate respect and support for dignity of the person, families and carers. 4.4. Advocate for the person, families and carers in accordance with jurisdictional enrolled nurse scope of practice. |
Element: |
5. Apply open disclosure processes. |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1. Reflect on and apply the principles and processes of open disclosure in own work in a health care environment. 5.2. Identify the roles of other health care workers in relation to open disclosure. |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.
Details of Learning Activities
This unit is designed to be delivered in a Blended Learning mode. Blended learning involves learning through various modes, for example, online learning and learning in a classroom and clinical labs.
The Blended Learning approach for this unit includes:
- Online learning - prepares you for flipped class, provides you with formative feedback and facilitates your learning as you progress through your course.
- Classroom teaching - introduces you to key concepts within the course using flipped learning
- Labs - provides practice and simulation
- Clinical experience - provides you with practical experience in a nursing health care environment
- Self-directed learning - such as reading to expand your knowledge and understanding of information delivered
All learning activities you will undertake within the course are designed to provide you with the practical skills, knowledge and attitudes required to perform to the standard expected in the health industry.
Teaching Schedule
Delivery Schedule | |
Date, Week, Session |
Topic, Activity, Assessment |
April, Week 9, Session 1 |
Lesson 1: Introduction to law and ethics |
April, Week 10, Session 2 |
Lesson 2: Enrolled nurse scope of professional practice Assessment Task 1: Knowledge Assessment (quiz) |
April Week 11, Session 3 |
Lesson 3: Torts, Consent and Mandatory reporting Assessment Task 2: Knowledge Assessment (quiz) |
May, Week 11, Session 4 |
Lesson 4: Ethical principles and Advanced Care Directives Assessment Task 3: Knowledge Assessment (quiz) |
May, Week 12, Session 5 |
Lesson 5: Clinical documentation |
May, Week 13 |
Assessment Task 4: Case Study (in class assessment) |
May, Week 15 |
Assessment Task 5: Case Study (upload to Canvas) Resit for Assessment Task 4: Case Study (in class assessment) |
TBC |
Assessment Task 6: Clinical Placement |
Date, Week, Session |
Clinical skill Lab Sessions and Activities |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
Theory and Practical Classroom Requirements | |
On occasions timetable and assessment dates may need to change. If this occurs, you will be notified. | |
Please check your student emails and Canvas announcements daily. | |
Full laboratory uniform is required for laboratory sessions. Students not appropriately attired will be asked to leave. | |
100% attendance at clinical laboratory classes is mandatory |
|
Clinical Placement |
All HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing Students must attend clinical placement. This unit requires satisfactory completion of a relevant clinical placement. Clinical placements are arranged at a variety of locations across the State. Although every effort is made to allocate each student a placement close to their home this is not always possible. Students must attend the placement allocated to them. |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.
During the Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121), you will complete 400 hours of compulsory unpaid clinical placements, across four phases (semesters). Aged Care 120 hours, Mental Health and Primary Health 80 hours each and Acute Care 120 hours.
You must meet all the unit/course requirements before you are eligible for clinical placement, this includes immunisations, NDIS check, Working with Childrens and Police check. If you do not meet these requirements, you may incur a penalty in the form of a fine.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Knowledge Assessment (Quiz)
Assessment Task 2: Knowledge Assessment (Quiz)
Assessment Task 3: Knowledge Assessment (Quiz)
Assessment Task 4: Case Study
Assessment Task 5: Case Study
Assessment Task 6: Clinical Placement
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
Flipped learning
The classes for this course will be conducted using the Flipped Learning approach. This innovative teaching method aims to create a more interactive and engaging learning experience by reversing the traditional classroom model.
What is Flipped Learning?
In a flipped classroom, students will review instructional content, such as lecture videos, reading materials, or online resources, before the class. During the classroom sessions, the focus will shift to active learning, where you will engage in discussions, group work, problem-solving activities, and hands-on projects with your instructor's guidance.
How will this affect your studies?
- Before Class: You will be required to review course materials (videos, readings, etc.) provided by your instructors. These resources will help you gain the foundational knowledge needed for the class.
- During Class: Classroom time will be used for deeper learning, collaboration, and practical application of the concepts you’ve studied. Active participation will be key.
- After Class: You will continue to reinforce your learning with assignments, self-assessment tools, and further practice.
What is expected of you?
- Stay on top of the pre-class content.
- Come prepared to engage in discussions and activities.
- Take an active role in your learning process by asking questions and collaborating with peers.
This approach is designed to promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Student Attendance
All students are required to:
- Attend and participate appropriately in all scheduled activities.
- Complete pre-class preparation – e.g., recommended reading and learning activities on Canvas.
- Study all material provided to maximise chances of meeting the Unit's objectives.
- Meet the 100% attendance requirement for lectures.
- Up to 80% attendance will be accepted with evidence in the form of a medical certificate or statutory declaration. It will be the student's responsibility to catch up and/ or seek assistance from their educator. If a student’s attendance falls below 80%, they will undergo a review by the RMIT Nursing Program Coordinator, and may be required to repeat the course.
- All students must demonstrate 80% engagement with the learning resources provided. This includes but is not limited to the Canvas practice knowledge quizzes, which must be completed on time. Canvas analytics will be used to identify student engagement. This can affect student progression.
- All students must meet the 100% attendance requirement for practical sessions. Evidence in the form of a medical certificate or statutory declaration must be provided if one cannot attend to qualify for a make-up session. The 'make-up' session time and date will be at the discretion of the RMIT Nursing Program Coordinator. Non-attendance to the make-up session without evidence to support the non-attendance can result in no further opportunity.
- Failure to meet the 100% practical sessions attendance requirement can result in exclusion from the clinical skills assessments, leading to a Not Yet Satisfactory result and ultimately Not Yet Competent outcome in relevant courses.
- Four hundred (400) clinical placement hours must be completed by the end of the program to meet the program requirements.
Clinical Placement
Please note an opportunity to repeat clinical placement is not guaranteed and will be at the discretion of the Program Manager. The above requirements will be considered in the decision making.
Important information regarding Assessment Tasks:
Refer to individual assessment task instructions for information on when and how to submit and specific assessment conditions.
Assessment Attempts:
Self-marking quizzes
- Student will be permitted 2 attempts to complete self-marking assessments. If a student requires guidance, it is their responsibility to reach out to the Lead Campus Educator.
All other assessments
- You are permitted 2 attempts on written and practical assessments.
- Resubmissions are not automatic and will only be approved at the discretion of the Program Coordinator, after consultation with the teacher. Attendance and course engagement will be taken into consideration when deciding. For written assessments, if you answer less than 50% of the questions in each part during your first attempt, you will not be granted a second attempt.
All resubmissions must be completed and submitted no more than 7 days after your work has been assessed.
Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer
If you think you have some or all of the knowledge and competencies described, please discuss the Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer options with may be available to you with your Course Coordinator. For more information go to:
Please read the following thoroughly by clicking the links:
Special consideration
Use the special consideration process if your circumstances are such that you cannot fulfil assessment requirements. For example, if you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by a due date.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview