Report on
Legal Aspects of Nursing
Institute Of Management and Technology
Prepared By:
Kamran Khan
Roll No !m"a #$%&'
!ec(A
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TERMINOLOGIES
•
•
Abuse
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Crimes
Fraud
•
Violene
•
Assaul!
•
"e#ama!ion
•
La$
•
•
%a!!er&
"elega!ion
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Mal'ra!ie
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Con!ra!s
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"oumen!
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Negligene
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•
Con!ra!s
Floa!
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Tor!s
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)ONT*NT!
1) In!rodu!ion*+
() General Legal Cone'!s o# Nursing*, !o .) Legal As'e! Regarding Res!rain!s*+) Regula!ion o# Nursing Pra!ie*1/
,) Con!ra!ual Arrangemen!s
Arrangemen!s in Nursing*1/ !o 11
0) Sele!ed Legal As'e!s o# Nursing Pra!ie*11 !o 1.
) Areas
Areas o# Po!en!ial Liabili!& in Nursing*1. !o 1+
2) Legal Pro!e!ion in Nursing Pra!ie*1+
-) Re'or!ing Crimes3 Tor!s3
Tor!s3 and 4nsa#e Pra!ies*1+ !o 1,
1/) Legal Res'onsibili!ies o# Nursing S!uden!s*1, !o 10
11) Rese
Resear
ar5
5 on nu
nurs
rses
es 67no
67no$l
$led
edge
ge o# lega
legall as'e
as'e!
!ss o# nurs
nursin
ing
g in
Nigeria)*1 !o (
1() Re#erenes*(2
1.) "oumen! Ou!line*(-
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Introduction
Legal Aspects of Nursing
As a nurse i! 5as beome an im'or!an! neessi!& !o be a$are o# !5e legal as'e!s assoia!ed $i!5
aring and 5el'ing 'eo'le in !5e 5eal!5 indus!r& !oda&) 4n#or!una!el&3 !5e more and more
negligene ases !5ere are !5e less and less 'eo'le $an! !o ge! in!o !5e 5
5eal!5
eal!5 are #ield #earing
legal as'e!s and !5e ine8i!able la$ sui!es) T5e #irs! nursing la$ rea!ed $as !5a! o# nursing
regis!ra!ion in 1-/.)
T5e Tor!
Tor! La$ is !5e legal as'e!s o# !5e la$ !5a! mos! nurses are more #amiliar $i!5) T5is
is !5e la$ !5a! in8ol8ed mal'ra!ie and negligene ases $5i5 man& nurses !a7e !5e !ime !o
learn inside and ou! as !5is is one o# !5e bigges! #ears in !5e medial ommuni!&) %asiall& a To
Tor!
r!
is a $rong#ul a! $5i5 'rodues 5arm3 $5e!5er i! is unin!en!ional or in!en!ional) Mal'ra!ie is a
s'ei#i !&'e o# Tor!
Tor! $5ere !5e s!andards o# are are no! me!) T5is is one o# !5e mos! ommon and
#amiliar la$s !o nurses and some!5ing !5a! nurses and do!ors ali7e mus! be
b e #amiliar $i!5 in order
!o on!inue !5eir are e##iien!l&)
Nurses mus! !a7e as man& 'reau!ions as !5e& an during !5eir dail& s5i#!s)
s5i#!s) Reording3
doumen!ing and re'or!ing dail& rou!ines and deisions is one o# !5e mos! ommon $a
$a&s
&s !o ma7e
sure on !ra7 $i!5 'a!iene and in !5e rig5!) Nurses learn in s5ool !5a! 'ro'er are o# a 'a!ien! is
no! onl& ma7ing !5e rig5! deisions bu! main!aining and organi9ing !5eir medial reords and
re'or!s e##iien!l&)
T5e legal as'e!s o# nursing are !aug5! and e:'e!ed !o be 7e'! u' on !5roug5ou! e8er& nurse;s
areer) A nursing
nursing <ob is some!5ing
so me!5ing man& &oung 'eo'le as'ire !o bu! $i!5ou! !5e legal 7no$ledge
be5ind !5em3 man& 5os'i!als $ill no! 5ire !5em no$ !5a! legal issues are beoming more and
more 'roblema!i)
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+eneral legal concepts of nursing
La, an be de#ined as !5ose rules made b& 5umans $5o regula!ed soial ondu! in a
#ormall& 'resribed and legall& binding manner) La$s are based u'on onerns #or #airness and
<us!ie)
-unctions of La, in Nursing
T5e la$ ser8es a number o# #un!ions in nursing=
•
I! 'ro8ides a #rame$or7 #or es!ablis5ing $5i5 nursing a!ions in !5e are
 are o# lien! are
legal)
•
I! di##eren!ia!es !5e nurse;s res'onsibili!ies #rom !5ose o# o!5er 5eal!5 'ro#essional)
•
I! 5el's es!ablis5 !5e boundaries o# inde'enden! nursing a!ion)
•
I! assis!s in main!aining a s!andard o# nursing 'ra!ie b& ma7ing nurses aoun!able
under !5e la$)
Types of la,
La$ go8erns !5e rela!ions5i' o# 'ri8a!e indi8iduals $i!5 go8ernmen! and $i!5 ea5 o!5er)
# Pu"lic La,
•
One !&'e o# la$ is Publi La$ $5i5 deals $i!5 an indi8idual>s rela!ions5i' !o !5e s!a!e)
•
Soures inlude Cons!i!u!ional3 Adminis!ra!i8e and Criminal T5ese Soures our on bo!5
!5e Federal and S!a!e le8el
##
## )o
)ons
nsti
titu
tuti
tion
onal
al La
La,
,
•
Se! o# basi la$s !5a! de#ines and limi!s !5e 'o$ers o# go8ernmen!)
•
Nurse main!ains rig5!s as an indi8idual)
•
Cons!i!u!ional Rig5!s3 Ci8il Rig5!s3 S!a!e Cons!i!u!ion)
#&
#& Ad
Admi
mini
nist
stra
rati
ti.e
.e La
La,
,
•
"e8elo'ed b& grou's $5o are a''oin!ed !o go8ernmen!al adminis!ra!i8e agenies) Food3
"rug and Cosme!i A!? Soial Seuri!& A!? Nurse Pra!ie A!)
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#$
$ )rim
riminal
inal La,
•
•
A!s or o##enes agains! !5e $el#are or sa#e!& o# !5e 'ubli)
Con!rolled Subs!ane A!? Criminal Codes)
& )i.il La,
T5e seond !&'e o# la$ is Ci8il La$ $5i5 deals $i!5 rimes agains! a 'erson or '
'ersons
ersons in su5
legal ma!!ers as=
@ Con!ra!s
@ Tor!s
@ Pr
Pro!
o!e
e!i
!i8e
8e Re'
Re'or
or!!ing
ing La$
La$
&# )ontract La, is !5e en#oremen! o# agreemen!s among 'ri8a!e indi8iduals
Elemen!s o#= Promise3 Mu!ual 4nders!anding3 and Com'ensa!ion Em'lo&men! Con!ra!s
is an e:am'le o# on!ra! la$ under i8il la$
&& Tort La, is !5e en#oremen! o# du!ies  rig5!s among inde'enden! o# on!ra!ual
agreemen!s) I! is a i8il $rong ommi!!ed on a 'erson or 'ro'er!& s!emming #rom ei!5er a dire!
in8asion o# some legal
Rig5! o# !5e 'erson3 in#ra!ion o# some 'ubli du!&3
du !&3 or !5e 8iola!ion o# some 'ri8a!e obliga!ion b&
$5i5 damages arue !o !5e 'erson)
*/amples of Tort La, include:
@ Ne
Negl
glig
igen
ene
e an
and
d Mal'
Mal'ra
ra!
!i
iee
@
@
@
@
@
@
Assaul! aan
nd %a!
%a!!!er
er&
&
Fa
Fallse IIm
m'risonmen!
Re
Res!
s!ra
rain
in!!s or
or Se
Selu
lussion
ion
In8asion o#
o# Pri8a
a&
&
"e#ama!ion
Fraud
Negligence and Malpractice
E!5is deals $i!5 s!andards o# ondu! and moral <udgmen!)
<ud gmen!) T5e ma<or 'rini'les o# 5eal!5are
e!5is !5a! mus! be u'5eld in all si!ua!ions are bene#iene3
ben e#iene3 no male#iene3 au!onom&3 and <us!ie)
%ene#iene means 'romo!ing or doing good)
g ood) Nurses $or7 !o 'romo!e !5eir lien!s; bes! in!eres!s
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and s!ri8e !o a5ie8e o'!imal ou!omes) No male#iene means a8oiding 5arm) Nurses mus!
main!ain a om'e!en! 'ra!ie le8el !o a8oid ausing in<ur& or su##ering !o lien!s) T5e 'rini'le
o# no male#iene also o8ers re'or!ing sus'e!ed abuse !o 're8en! #ur!5er 8i!imi9a!ion and
'ro!e!ing lien!s #rom 5emiall& im'aired nurses and o!5er 5eal!5are 'ra!i!ioners)
'ra!i!ioners) Au!onom&
Au!onom&
s!ands #or inde'endene and !5e abili!& !o be sel#*dire!ed) Clien!s 5a8e !5e rig5! o# sel#*
de!ermina!ion and are en!i!led !o deide $5a! 5a''ens !o !5em? !5ere#ore3 om'e!en! adu
adul!s
l!s 5a8e
!5e a'ai!& !o onsen! !o or re#use !rea!men!) Nurses mus! res'e! !5e lien!;s $is5es3 e8en i# !5e&
don;! agree $i!5 !5em)
!5e m) Finall&3 <us!ie reBuires !5a! all lien!s be !rea!ed eBuall& and #airl&) Nurses
#ae issues o# <us!ie dail& $5en organi9ing are #or !5eir lien!s and deiding 5o$ mu5 !ime
!5e& $ill s'end $i!5 ea5 based on lien! needs and a #air dis!ribu!ion o# resoures)
Nurses need !o dis!inguis5 be!$een !5eir 'ersonal 8alues and !5eir 'ro#essional
'ro#essional e!5is) Personal
8alues are $5a! nurses 5old signi#ian! and !rue #or !5emsel8es3 $5ile 'ro#essional e!5is in8ol8e
'rini'les !5a! 5a8e uni8ersal a''lia!ions and s!andards o# ondu! !5a! mus! be u'5eld in all
si!ua!ions) Nurses !5us a8oid allo$ing 'ersonal <udgmen!s !o bias lien! are) T5e& are 5ones! and
#air $i!5 lien!s3 and !5e& a! in !5e bes! in!eres! o# and s5o$ res'e! #or !5em)
Sine nurses address om'le: e!5ial and 5uman rig5!s issues on a regular basis3 !5e Amerian
Nurses Assoia!ion
Assoia!ion %oard o# "ire!ors and !5e Congress on Nursing Pra!ie #irs!
#irs! ini!ia!ed !5e
Code o# E!5is #or Nurses in 1-2, !o delinea!e !5e ode o# res'onsibili!ies and ondu! e:'e!ed
o# nurses in !5eir 'ra!ie) Nurses are 5eld res'onsible !o om'l&
o m'l& $i!5 !5e s!andards o# e!5ial
'ra!ie and !o ensure !5a! o!5er nurses also om'l&)
om'l&) T5e ode $as re8ised in (//1 !o inlude
issues o# ad8aning nursing siene and is based on !5e o'inions and e:'eriene o# a $ide range
o# nurses) T5e ANA a''ro8ed nine 'ro8isions !5a! address e!5ial 'ra!ie issues su5 as
om'assion and res'e!3 !5e nurse;s 'rimar& ommi!men! !o !5e 'a!ien!3 'a!ien! ad8oa&3
res'onsibili!& and aoun!abili!&3 du!ies3 'ar!ii'a!ion in !5e 5eal!5are en8ironmen!3 ad8anemen!
o# !5e 'ro#ession3 and ollabora!ion) ou
ou an read or 'ur5ase
' ur5ase !5e ANA Code o# E!5is #or Nurses
$i!5 In!er're!i8e S!a!emen!s
S!a!e men!s a! $$$)nursing$orld)org)
$$$)nursing$orld)org)
Liabili!& is an obliga!ion one 5as inurred or mig5! inur !5ru an& a! or #ailure !o a!)
Mal'ra!ie re#ers !o !5e be5a8ior o# a 'ro#essional 'erson>s $rong#ul ondu!3 im'ro'er
dis5arge o# 'ro#essional du!ies3 or #ailure !o mee! !5e s!andards o# ae'!able are $5i5 resul! in
5arm !o ano!5er 'erson)
Negligene Dbrea5 o# du!& is !5e #ailure o# an indi8idual !o 'ro8ide are !5a! a reasonable 'erson
$ould ordinaril& use in a similar irums!ane) "e#endan! is !5e 'erson
' erson being sued) Plain!i## is !5e
'ar!& $5o ini!ia!es !5e la$sui! !5a! see7s damages)
Proof of Lia"ility depends on:
•
"u!&
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%rea5 o# du!&
•
"amage
•
Causa!ion
1) 0uty= "u!& s!ands #or a legal obliga!ion o$ed b& one 'erson !o ano!5er 'erson) 5en
nurses are #or lien!s3 !5e& assume !5e du!& !o are #or !5em in a o
om'e!en!
m'e!en! and diligen!
manner) Nurses are e:'e!ed !o 'ro8ide !5e degree o# are ordinaril& e:erised b& o!5er
nurses 'ra!iing in !5e same nursing s'eial!&) T5ere#ore3 nurses are e:'e!ed !o ad5ere !o
s!andards o# are!5ose im'osed b& !5e nurse;s s!a!e board o# nursing nurse 'ra!ie a!3
!5e na!ional nursing s'eial!& s!andards o# are and so'e o# 'ra!ie3 and !5e nurse;s
5os'i!al3 or o!5er agen&3
agen &3 'ro!ools)
() Breach= A brea5 o# du!& !a7es 'lae $5en !5ere is #ailure !o #ul#ill !5e du!ies es!ablis5ed
as being !5e res'onsibili!& o# !5e nurse) In o!5er $ords3 nurses brea5 !5eir du!& $5en !5e&
do no! mee! !5e a''ro'ria!e s!andard o# are)
.) )ausation= Causa!ion is !5e mos! di##iul! elemen! !o 'ro8e beause i! is !5e #a!ual
onne!ion be!$een $5a! !5e nurse did and !5e in<ur& !o !5e lien!) Causa!ion means !5a!
!5e nurse;s brea5 o# du!&3 or #ailure !o mee! !5e a''ro'ria!e s!andard o# are3 aused
au sed !5e
lien!;s in<ur& or ad8erse ou!ome
.
+) 0amages= "amages are mone!ar& 'a&men!s designed !o om'ensa!e !5e lien! #or !5e
in<ur& or ad8erse ou!ome3 and are in!ended !o res!ore !5e 'lain!i## !o !5e ondi!ion 5e or
s5e $as in 'rior
' rior !o !5e in<ur&) To reo8er
reo8er damages3 !5e lien! mus! es!ablis5 !5a! 5e or s5e
su##ered '5&sial3 #inanial3 or emo!ional in<ur& aused b& !5e nurse;s 8iola!ion o# !5e
s!andard o# are) "amages are usuall& om'ensa!or&
o m'ensa!or& or 'uni!i8e)
Nurses and nursing s!uden!s an be 5eld liable #or !5eir a!ions3 and !5us an be sued) Ho$e8er3
!5e ma<ori!& o# nurses are om'e!en! 'ro#essionals $5o 'ro8ide a sa!is#a!or& le8el o# are)
Aording !o HRSA;s (//. Na!ional Pra!i!ioner "a!a %an7 DNP"%3 onl& abou! 1 in ,/
,/
mal'ra!ie 'a&men! re'or!s $ere #or nurses) All le8els o# RNs $ere res'onsible #or +3,1(3 or
1)23 o# mal'ra!ie 'a&men!s o8er !5e 5is!or& o# !5e NP"%) O!5er lassi#ied RNs $ere
res'onsible #or 0.).3 and inluded nurse anes!5e!is!s3
ane s!5e!is!s3 nurse mid$i8es3 and nurse 'ra!i!ioners)
Reasons #or mal'ra!ie 'a&men! re'or!s 8aried de'ending on !5e !&'e o# nurse3 bu! inluded
moni!oring3 !rea!men!3 and media!ion 'roblems)
Hig5*le8el*need lien!s and s5or! s!a##ing an inrease !5e 5anes #or error3 bu! nurses an
minimi9e !5eir liabili!& b& #ousing on ris7 managemen!) Heal!5are #aili!ies 'ro8ide 8arious
le8els o# in*ser8ie edua!ion on ris7 managemen!3 and
an d nurses an !a7e on!inuing edua!ion
edu a!ion
ourses on !5is im'or!an! !o'i) Some s!a!es reBuire ris7 managemen! edua!ion ourses #or
liense ini!ia!ion andJor rene$al) Florida reBuires a ourse on reduing medial errors3 $5ile O5io
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reBuires nurses !o !a7e a ourse !o beome
beo me #amiliar $i!5 !5eir s!a!e nurse 'ra!ie a!) Ta7ing a
ris7 managemen! ourse an also 5a8e some mone!ar& ad8an!agesome nursing mal'ra!ie
insurane om'anies gi8e disoun!s on 'remiums !o !5ose $5o
$5 o om'le!e a ris7 managemen!
ourse
.
Assault 1 Battery
Assaul! is !5e in!en!ional  unla$#ul o##er !o !ou5 a 'erson in an o##ensi8e3 insul!ing or
'5&siall& in!imida!ing manner)
manner) %a!!er& is !5e !ou5ing o# ano!5er 'erson $i!5ou! !5e 'erson>s
'erson>s
onsen!)
Pro!e!i8eJRe'or!ing La$s are some!imes onsidered riminal la$s based on s!a!e lassi#ia!ion
*/amples include:
•
•
Amerians $i!5 "isabili!ies A!
Good Samari!an A!
Legal Aspect
Aspect Regarding Restraints
Res!rain!s are 'ro!e!i8e de8ies used !o limi! !5e '5&sial a!i8i!& o# a lien! or !o immobili9e
a lien! or an e:!remi!&)
P5&sial res!rain!s= res!ri! lien! mo8emen! !5roug5 !5e a''lia!ion o# a de8ie)
C5emial res!rain!s= Media!ions gi8en !o in5ibi! a s'ei#i be5a8ior or mo8emen!)
4nder Omnibus %udge! Reonilia!ion A!= an& lien! or 'a!ien! 5as !5e rig5! !o be #ree #rom
P5&sial Dsu5 as res!rain! <a7e!s and 5emial Dseda!ion3 's&5o!ro'i drugs res!rain!s
Im'osed #or !5e 'ur'ose o# disi'line or on8eniene
on8enien e and s5ould no! be reBuired !o !rea!
medial or 's&5ia!ri s&m'!om)
La$#ul ReBuiremen!s  Nursing A!ions #or 4sing Res!rain!s
Aording !o DKCAHO Koin! Commission on ACCRE"IATATION OF
HEALTHCARE ORGANIATIONS
1) R*!TRAINT! !2O3L0 NOT B* 3!*0 PRN444
() In#ormed onsen! and a "o!ors order is needed !o use res!rain!s)
.) "o!ors> orders #or res!rain!s s5ould be rene$ed $i!5in a s'ei#i !ime #rame
Aording !o !5e agenies 'oliies)
-|Page
+) Restraints should not interfere ,ith any treatments or affect the client5s health
Problems)
,) "oumen! !5e #ollo$ing=
•
Reason #or !5e res!rain!s
•
Me!5od o# res!rain!s
•
"a!e and !ime o# a''lia!ion
•
"ura!ion o# use and lien!s res'onse
•
Release #rom !5e res!rain!s De8er& ./ minu!es $i!5 'eriodi e:erise and
•
Cirula!or&3 neuro8asular and s7in assessmen!
•
E8alua!ion o# lien!>s res'onse
0) "ON>T AS PERMISSION IF THE PATIENT HAS AN ALTERE" LEVEL
OF CONSCIO4SNESS
) I# !5e lien! is unable !o gi8e onsen! !o a res!rain! 'roedure3 !5en onsen! o# 'ro:&
Mus! be ob!ained AFTER
AFTER F4LL "ISCLOS4RE OF ALL RIS AN" %ENEFITS)
2) 4se a lo8e 5i!5 7no! so !5a! res!rain! an be 5anged and release easil& and
Ensure
Regulation of Nursing Practice
Nursing 'ra!ie #alls under bo!5 'ubli la$ and i8il la$)
la$) In all s!a!es3 nurses
nurses are bound b& rules
and regula!ions s!i'ula!ed b& !5e nursing practice act as de!ermined b& !5e legisla!ure)
Publi la$s are designed !o 'ro!e! !5e 'ubli) 5en !5ese la$s are bro7en3 a nurse an be
'unis5ed b& 'a&ing a #ine3 losing 5er liense3 or being inarera!ed) For e:am'le3 a nurse guil!& o#
di8er!ing drugs3 $5i5 is a rime agains! !5e s!a!e3 ould
ou ld lose 5er liense !o 'ra!ie and ould be
sen! !o <ail)
Ci8il la$s deal $i!5 'roblems ourring be!$een a nurse
nu rse and a lien!) For e:am'le3 i# a nurse
a!5e!eri9ing a lien! 'er#ora!es !5e bladder !5e lien! 5as sus!ained in<ur&) No la$ a##e!ing
a##e!ing !5e
'o'ula!ion as a $5ole 5as been bro7en3 bu! !5e lien! ma& bring a i8il sui! agains! !5e nurse) T5e
lien! ma& reei8e om'ensa!ion #or in<uries3 bu! !5e nurse reei8es no <ail !ime)
T5e Amerian Nurses Assoia!ion
Assoia!ion DANA !a7es !5e 'osi!ion !5a! de#ini!ion o# !5e so'e o# nursing
'ra!ie #lo$s ou! o# nursing 'roess3 !5a! is3 !5e 'roess o# assessmen!3 deision*ma7ing and
a!ion !5a! all nursing 'ra!ie #ollo$s) In !5e doumen! !5e Single So'e o# Clinial Nursing
Pra!ie3 !5e ANA s!a!es !5a! !5e ore or essene o# nursing 'ra!ie is !5e nursing diagnosis and
!rea!men! o# 5uman res'onses !o 5eal!5 and !o illness) T5is ore o# !5e linial 'ra!ie o# nursing
is d&nami3 and e8ol8es as 'a!!erns o# 5uman res'onses amenable !o nursing in!er8en!ion are
iden!i#ied3 nursing diagnoses are #ormula!ed and lassi#ied3 nursing s7ills and 'a!!erns o#
in!er8en!ion are made more e:'lii!3 and 'a!ien!
' a!ien! ou!omes res'onsi8e !o nursing in!er8en!ion are
1/ | P a g e
e8alua!ed)
)ontractual Arrangements
Arrangements in Nursing
A on!ra! is an agreemen! be!$een !$o 'ar!ies as !o $5a! $ill !rans'ire and !5e rules and
regula!ions go8erning !5e ser8ie !5a! $ill be 'ro8ided) T5e legal agreemen! is en#oreable b& la$
and !5ose $5o sign !5e agreemen!
agree men! mus! be able !o legall& en!er in!o a on!ra!) T5is means !5e&
mus! be o# legal age and !5e& mus! 5a8e !5e men!al a'ai!& !o sign a on!ra!) Al!5oug5 no! all
ser8ies are reBuired !o 5a8e a legal and binding on!ra!3 !5ere are man& !5a! are go8erned b&
s!a!u!or& la$ su5 as nursing ser8ies)
Instructions to 6rite a )ontract for Nursing !er.ices :
•
T&'e
T&
'e !5e da!e o# !5e on!ra! and !5e names o#
o # !5ose en!ering in!o !5e nursing on!ra!)
•
T&'e
T&
'e !5e agreemen!s made b& bo!5 'ar!ies as !o $5a! $ill !rans'ire during !5e !erm o#
em'lo&men!) T5is is !5e s!ar! da!e and !5e 'osi!ion and du!ies o# !5e em'lo&ee)
•
T&'e in an& bene#i!s !5a! $ill be inluded in !5e om'ensa!ion 'a7age) Insurane
o8erage3 'ension 'a&men!s and an& o!5er inen!i8e om'ensa!ion 'lans $ill be o8ered
5ere)
•
E:'ira!ion o# !5e on!ra! $ill be inser!ed ne:!) T5e o'!ion o# rene$ing !5e on!ra! is
inluded) T5e !erms o# di##eren! senarios $ill be s'elled ou!)
•
Inser! !5e reasons !5e on!ra! $ould be !ermina!ed and
an d $5a! 'a&men!s $ould be reei8ed
i# !5e !ermina!ion is en#ored) T5e em'lo&ee agrees !o !5e on#iden!iali!& o# !5e em'lo&er)
!elected legal aspects of nursing practice
Nurses need !o 7no$ and a''l& legal as'e!s in !5eir 8arious roles)
As lien! ad8oa!es3 nurses s5ould ensure !5e lien!>s rig5! !o in#ormed onsen!? iden!i#& and
re'or! 8iolen! be5a8ior and negle! o#
o # 8ulnerable lien!s) Also nurses are reBuired !o re'or! a nurse
$5o is a 5emiall& im'aired3 and s5ould be a$are o# issues rela!ed !o delega!ion)
Informed )onsent
•
In#ormed onsen! is an agreemen! b& a lien! !o ae'! a ourse o# !rea!men! or a
'roedure a#!er being #ull& in#ormed o# i!)
•
Consen!s are ei!5er e:'ress or im'lied) E:'ress onsen! ould be
b e oral or $ri!!en) I# !5e
11 | P a g e
'roedure is more in8asi8e andJ or !5e 'o!en!ial #or ris7 !o !5e lien! is grea!3
grea!3 a $ri!!en
'ermission is needed)
•
Im'lied onsen! e:is!s $5en !5e lien!>s non8erbal be5a8iour india!es agreemen! su5 as
in 'osi!ioning !5eir bodies #or an in<e!ion or $5en !5eir 8i!al signs are reorded)
Ob!aining an in#ormed onsen! #or s'ei#i medial or surgial 'roedure is !5e res'onsibili!& o#
!5e 'erson $5o 'er#orms !5e 'roedure)
Information to "e gi.en to a )lient to Ma7e an Informed 0ecision 1)
"iagnosis or ondi!ion !5a! reBuires !rea!men!)
•
Pur'ose o# !rea!men!)
•
5a! !5e lien! an e:'e! !o #eel or e:'eriene)
•
T5e in!ended bene#i!s o# !5e 'roedure)
•
Possible ris7s)
•
Ad8an!ages and disad8an!ages o# al!erna!i8es !o !rea!men! Dinluding no !rea!men!
6hat are the Ma8or *lements and */ceptions of Informed )onsent9
•
T5e onsen! mus! be 8olun!ar&
•
T5e onsen! mus! be gi8en b& a lien! $5o is a'able and om'e!en! !o unders!and) T5is
means !5a! er!ain 'o'ula!ion grou's anno! 'ro8ide onsen! su5 as 5ildren3 $5ose
a''oin!ed guardians mus! gi8e onsen! be#ore minors are !rea!ed) A seond grou' is
'ersons $5o are unonsious or se8erel& in<ured) A !5ird grou' is 'ersons $5o are
men!all& ill)
•
T5e lien! mus! be gi8en enoug5
enou g5 in#orma!ion !o be !5e ul!ima!e deision ma7er)
The Nurse5s Role in O"taining a )lient5s Informed )onsent # )
T5e nurse is no! res'onsible #or e:'laining !5e medial or surgial 'roedure bu! #or $i!nessing
!5e lien!>s signa!ure on !5e onsen! #orm)
T5e nurse>s signa!ure means=
.)
•
*T5e lien! ga8e 8olun!ar& onsen! a#!er reei8ing enoug5 in#orma!ion)
•
*T5e lien!>s signa!ure is au!5en!i)
•
*T5e lien! a''ears om'e!en! !o gi8e onsen!)
In !5e 4n
4ni!ed
i!ed S!a!es
S!a!es33 nurses
nurses ould
ould be liable
liable #or in!er#ering
in!er#ering $i!5 !5e
!5e lien!*'r
lien!*'ro8ider
o8ider
rela!ions5i')
1( | P a g e
0elegation
"elega!ion is !5e !rans#er o# res'onsibili!& #or !5e 'er#ormane o# an a!i8i!& #rom 'erson !o
ano!5er $5ile re!aining aoun!abili!& #or !5e ou!omeQ)
In !5e 4SA3 !5e 'roess o# delega!ion is go8erned b& la$s and regula!ions su5 as !5e Nurse
Pra!ie A! DNPA3
DNPA3 !5e 4nliensed Assis!i8e
Assis!i8e Personnel D4AP <ob desri'!ion and s7ill le8el) T5e
NPA de#ines and desribes !5e so'e o# nursing 'ra!ie)
5en delega!ion is !o our3 !5e nurse needs !o de!ermine
de !ermine !5e ans$ers !o !5e #ollo$ing Bues!ions=
•
"oes !5e NPA 'ermi! delega!ion
•
Is !5ere a lis! o# 'roedure a nurse an delega!e
•
Are !5ere guidelines e:'laining
e:' laining !5e nurse>s res'onsibili!ies $5en delega!e
iolence; A"use; and Neglect
•
Violen! be5a8iour an inlude domes!i 8iolene3 5uman abuse3 and se:ual abuse)
•
Negle! is !5e absene o# are neessar& !o main!ain !5e 5eal!5 and sa#e!& o# a lien! nurses
are in 'osi!ion !o iden!i#& and assess ases o# 8iolene)
•
5en an in<ur& a''ears !o be 'resen! resul!ing #rom abuse3 negle!3 or e:'loi!a!ion3 !5e
nurse mus! re'or! !5e si!ua!ion !o !5e a''ro'ria!e au!5ori!&)
Areas of potential lia"ility in nursing
Nurses need !o 7no$ !5e di##erenes be!$een mal'ra!ie Dunin!en!ional !or!
!or! and in!en!ional !or!)
Nurses mus! also reogni9e nursing si!ua!ions
si!ua!ions in $5i5 negligen! a!ions are mos! li7el& !o our
and !a7e measures !o 're8en! !5em)
Man& as'e!s rela!ing !o nursing 'ra!ie and areas o# nursing are sub<e! !o liabili!&3 inluding
'5&siian;s orders3 #loa!ing3 inadeBua!e s!a##ing3
s!a##ing3 ri!ial are3 and 'edia!ri are)
Physician<s Orders
T5e '5&siian is in 5arge o# dire!ing !5e lien!;s are3 and nurses are !o arr& ou! !5e '5&siian;s
orders #or are3 unless !5e nurse belie8es !5a! !5e orders are in error or $ould be 5arm#ul !o !5e
!5 e
lien!) In !5is ase3 !5e '5&siian mus! be on!a!ed !o on#irm andJor lari#& !5e orders) I# !5e
nurse s!ill belie8es !5e orders !o be ina''ro'ria!e3 !5e nursing
nu rsing su'er8isor s5ould be immedia!e
on!a!ed and $5& !5e orders
o rders are no! being arried ou! 'u! in $ri!ing) A nurse $5o arries ou! an
erroneous or ina''ro'ria!e order ma& be 5eld liable #or 5arm e:'eriened b& !5e lien!)
1. | P a g e
Nurses are res'onsible #or !5eir a!ions regardless o# $5o !old !5em !o 'er#orm !5ose a!ions)
-loating
•
Nurses some!imes are as7ed !o #loa! !o an un#amiliar nursing
nursing uni!)
•
T5e su'er8isor I s5ould be in#ormed abou! a #loa! nurse;s la7 o# e:'eriene in
aring #or !5e !&'e o# lien!s on !5e ne$ nursing uni!)
T5e nurse s5ould be gi8en an orien!a!ion !o !5e ne$ uni! and $ill be 5eld !o !5e same s!andards o#
are as are !5e nurses $5o regularl& $or7 on !5a! uni!)
Inade=uate !taffing
T5e Koin! Commission on Aredi!a!ion o# Heal!5are Organi9a!ions DKCAHO 5as es!ablis5ed
guidelines #or de!ermining !5e number o# s!a## needed #or an& gi8en si!ua!ion Ds!a##ing ra!ios)
5en !5ere are no! enoug5 nurses !o mee! !5e s!a##ing ra!io and 'ro8ide om'e!en! are3
subs!andard are ma& resul!3 'laing lien!s a! '5&sial
'5 &sial ris7 and !5e nurse and ins!i!u!ion a! legal
ris7) T5e nurse in !5is si!ua!ion s5ould 'ro8ide nursing adminis!ra!ion $i!5 a $ri!!en aoun! o#
!5e si!ua!ion) A nurse
nurse $5o lea8es an inadeBua!el& s!a##ed uni! ould
 ould be 5arged $i!5 lien!
abandonmen!)
)ritical )are
%eause !5e moni!ors used in ri!ial are uni!s are no! in#allible3 ons!an! obser8a!ion and
assessmen! o# lien!s are reBuired) T5is ma7es a 1=1 or a 1=( nurse*lien! ra!io im'era!i8e)
Fur!5ermore3 eBui'men! mus! be 5e7ed regularl& and on a s5edule b& !5e bio*medial
de'ar!men!)
Pediatric )are
Legisla!ion in ea5 s!a!e reBuires !5a! sus'e!ed 5ild abuse or negle! be re'or!ed) Legal
immuni!& is 'ro8ided !o !5e 'erson $5o ma7es a re'or! in good #ai!5) 5en sus'e!ed 5ild abuse
or negle! is no! re'or!ed b& 5eal!5
5ea l!5 are 'ro8iders3 legal a!ion3 i8il or riminal3 ma& b
bee #iled
agains! !5em)
Legal protection in nursing practice
Nursing 'ra!i!ioners3 aording !o Medismar!= Nursing
Nursing Edua!ional Resoures an 'ro!e!
!5emsel8es #rom mos! legal 'roblems b& #ollo$ing #i8e basi guidelines= ob!ain an in#ormed
onsen! signa!ure be#ore !rea!men! begins? doumen! all a!ions regarding a 'a!ien!;s are? re'or!
1+ | P a g e
an& allega!ions o# abuse !o$ard a 8ulnerable 'o'ula!ion? 'ro!e! !5e 'a!ien!;s rig5! !o 'ri8a&? and
'a& s!ri! a!!en!ion !o a8oid media!ion dosing errors)
Reporting crimes; torts; and unsafe practices
Nurses ma& re'or! olleagues or o!5er 'ro#essionals i#
i# #or 'ra!ies !5a! endanger !5e 5eal!5 and
sa#e!& o# lien!s) T5is ma& inlude alo5olism3 drug use3 !5e#! and unsa#e nursing 'ra!ie)
Re'or!ing a olleague is no! eas&3
eas &3 as !5e re'or!ing 'erson ma& #eel dislo&al3 disa''ro8ed b&
o!5ers3 or ris7s 'romo!ion)
Legal responsi"ilities of nursing students
As a nursing s!uden! &our onl& legal res'onsibili!ies are !o no! do an& 'a!ien!s in!en!ional 5arm)
our
o
ur 'ree'!or or ins!ru!or $ill be res'onsible #or &ou) I# &ou do a 'roedure i! $ill be under
!5eir su'er8isionJassis!ane onl& Dne8er b& &oursel#) Plus &our nursing ollege $ill ma7e &ou bu&
liabili!& insurane be#ore s!ar!ing linial)
•
5en &ou beome a nurse &ou are res'onsible #or almos! e8er&!5ing
•
ou
o
u $ill be res'onsible #or 'a!ien! are3 !ea5ing s!uden!s3 su'er8ising3 alling d
do!ors
o!ors i# a
'a!ien! needs a!!en!ion3 doumen!ing and !5a! is <us! !o name a #e$)
Legal Responsi"ilities in Nursing
•
!afeguards for the nurse and student
Al!5oug5 as a 'ra!ial nurse li7el& !o $or7 under !5e dire!ion o# o!5er nurses and
'5&siian3 'ersonall& liable #or an& 5arm a lien! su##ers
su##ers as a resul! o# o$n a!s) Heal!5are
#aili!ies ma& also be legall& liable #or !5eir em'lo&ee>s a!s o# negligene) Legal a!ion in8ol8ing
negligen! a!s b& a 'erson engaged
engag ed in a 'ro#ession ma& beome mal'ra!ie la$sui!s)
)ommon(!ense precautions
Follo$ ae'!ed 'roedures) Pro!e! #rom 'ossible la$sui!s b& al$a&s 'er#orming
'roedures as !aug5! and as ou!lined in !5e 'roedure manual o# 5eal!5are #aili!&) I# !5ese
'oliies are inorre! or inadeBua!e3 $or7 !o im'ro8e !5em !5roug5 !5e 'ro'er 5annels)
1, | P a g e
•
Be competent in practice
Al$a&s res'onsible #or o$n be5a8iour) Re#use !o 'er#orm 'roedures #or $5i5 5a8e no!
been 're'ared) Ignorane is no! a legal de#ene)
Nei!5er $ill la7 o# slee' or o8er$or7 be ae'!ed as a legal reason #or arelessness abou!
sa#e!& measures or mis!a7es)
•
As7 for Assistance
Al$a&s as7 #or 5el' i# unsure abou! 5o$ !o 'er#orm a 'roedure) "o no! assume
res'onsibili!ies be&ond !5ose o# le8el) Admi!!ing !5a! do no! 7no$ 5o$ !o 'er#orm a 'roedure is
al$a&s be!!er !5an a!!em'!ing !o do i! and in<uring someone) Also Bues!ion an& '5&siian>
'5 &siian>ss order
!5a! do no! unders!and3 anno! read3 or in $5i5 belie8e an error e:is!s)
•
0ocument ,ell
T5e im'or!ane o# 7ee'ing e:a! reords o# all !rea!men!s and media!ions3 as $ell as a
reord o# a lien!>s rea!ions and be5a8iour3 anno! be o8erem'5asi9ed) T5e 5eal!5 reord is !5e
$ri!!en and legal e8idene o# !rea!men!) T5e reord is !o re#le! #a!s onl&3 no! 'ersonal
<udgmen!s) Care#ul and aura!e doumen!a!ion is 8i!al #or ea5 lien!>s $el#are)
Care#ul doumen!a!ion is 'er5a's !5e mos! im'or!an! !5ing an do !o 'ro!e! agains! an
un<us!i#ied la$sui!) I# do no! doumen! a !rea!men! or media!ion3 legall&
lega ll& !5e measure is
onsidered no! !o 5a8e been done)
0o not gi.e legal ad.ice to clients
T5e la$s go8erning 'ersonal and 'ro'er!& rig5!s o# an indi8idual are man& and om'le:)
Ne8er a!!em'! !o ad8ise a lien! on legal rig5!s or #inanial ma!!ers)
ma!!ers) Enourage lien!s !o on#er
!5eir #amilies and !o onsul!
on sul! an a!!orne&)
•
0o not accept gifts
Ae'!ing gi#!s #rom !5e lien! is un$ise #or se8eral reasons) Some lien!s are onsidered
8ulnerable adul!s De)g)3 men!all& ill3 re!arded3 or on#used indi8iduals e:5ange o# gi#!s ould
om'romise 'ro#essional 'osi!ion3 and ould be aused o#
o # oering !5e lien!)
10 | P a g e
ORI+INAL R*!*AR)2
Nurses5 Kno,ledge of Legal Aspects of Nursing Practice in I"adan;
Nigeria
A"stract
no$ledge o# la$ !5a! es!ablis5es a 'ro#ession is essen!ial #or !5e 'ro#essional) Nurses 'ra!ie
$i!5in an en8ironmen! in $5i5 aoun!abili!&
aoun!ab ili!& is demanded b& !5e 'ro#essional bod& as $ell as
!5e ommuni!ies !5e& ser8e) T5is im'lies !5a! !5e 8er& na!ure o# nursing
n ursing 'ra!ie reBuires nurses
!o be 8igilan! abou! unders!anding o# !5e la$) Ho$e8er3
Ho$e8er3 !5ere is 'aui!& o# em'irial e8idene o#
nurses> 7no$ledge o# legal as'e!s o# nursing) T5is 'a'er 'resen!s a re'or! o# a sur8e& o# nurses>
7no$ledge o# legal as'e!s o# nursing in Nigeria)
T5e desri'!i8e s!ud& u!ili9ed a .-*i!em Bues!ionnaire de8elo'ed b& !5e resear5ers !o ga!5er
in#orma!ion #rom 101 nurses #rom di##eren! a!egories o# 5os'i!als in Ibadan) A sim'le random
!e5niBue $as used in sele!ing res'onden!s in ea5 $ard o# !5e se!!ings) "a!a $ere an
anal&9ed
al&9ed
using desri'!i8e s!a!is!is)
T5e sam'le onsis!ed o# (/ males D1()+ and 1+1 #emales D2)0 $i!5 8ar&ing &ears o#
e:'eriene) Nurses 5a8e 7no$ledge o# general la$ o# !5e land D,2)+ bu! !5e ma<ori!& 5ad
7no$ledge de#ii!s o# la$s go8erning nursing 'ra!ie D)0) Abou! , D -1 o# nurses
india!ed !5a! !5eir 5os'i!als 5a8e ins!i!u!ional 'oliies !5a! go8ern 5o$ nurses
nu rses 'ra!ie bu! onl&
,/ 7ne$ !5e on!en! and in!en! o# !5e 'oliies)
T5e 5allmar7 o# 'ro#essionalism is aoun!abili!&) T5e bes! $a& !o 'ra!ie nursing e##e!i8el& is
being 5ig5l& 7no$ledgeable abou! !5e siene and ar! o# nursing ou'led $i!5 sound 7no$ledge
1 | P a g e
o# !5e la$s !5a! es!ablis5? on!rol and 'romo!e nursing 'ra!ie) I! is !5ere#ore
!5 ere#ore reommended !5a!
!5e s!a7e 5olders in nursing be more in8ol8ed
in8ol8 ed in ensuring adeBua!e 7no$ledge o# legal as'e!s o#
nursing 'ra!ie !o a5ie8e !5e Nursing goal o# Buali!& are)
INTRO03)TION
Nursing enom'asses au!onomous and ollabora!i8e are o# indi8iduals o# all ages3 #amilies3
grou's and ommuni!ies3 si7 or $ell and in all se!!ings) Nursing inludes !5e 'romo!ion o#
5eal!53 're8en!ion o# illness3 and !5e are o# ill3 disabled and d&ing 'eo'le) Ad8oa&3 'romo!ion
o# a sa#e en8ironmen!3 resear53 'ar!ii'a!ion in s5a'ing 5eal!5 'oli& and in 'a!ien! and 5eal!5
s&s!ems managemen!3 and edua!ion are also 7e& nursing roles) Nursing also inludes !5e use o#
linial <udgmen! in !5e 'ro8ision o# are !o enable 'eo'le !o im'ro8e3 main!ain3 or reo8er
5eal!53 !o o'e $i!5 5eal!5 'roblems3 and !o a5ie8e !5e bes! 'ossible Buali!& o# li#e3 $5a!e8er
!5eir disease or disabili!&3 un!il dea!5) Nursing in8ol8es !5e 'ro!e!ion3 'romo!ion3 and
o'!imi9a!ion o# 5eal!5 and abili!ies? 're8en!ion o# illness and in<ur&? alle8ia!ion o# su##ering
!5roug5 !5e diagnosis and !rea!men! o# 5uman res'onses? and ad8oa& in 5eal!5 are #or
indi8iduals3 #amilies3 ommuni!ies3 and 'o'ula!ions) T5e nurse assis!s !5e indi8idual3 si7 or $ell3
in !5e 'er#ormane o# !5ose a!i8i!ies on!ribu!ing !o 5eal!5 or i!s reo8er& Dor !o 'eae#ul dea!5
!5a! sJ5e $ould 'er#orm unaided i# sJ5e 5ad !5e neessar& s!reng!53 $ill or 7no$ledge)
Nursing 'ra!ie 8aries bo!5 !5roug5 i!s 8arious s'eial!ies
s'eial!ies and oun!ries? 5o$e8er3 !5e au!5ori!&
#or !5e 'ra!ie o# nursing is based u'on a soial on!ra! !5a! delinea!es 'ro#essional rig5!s and
res'onsibili!ies as $ell as me5anisms #or 'ubli
'ub li aoun!abili!&) In almos! all oun!ries3 nursing
'ra!ie is de#ined and go8erned b& la$3 and en!rane !o !5e 'ro#ession is regula!ed a! !5e na!ional
or s!a!e le8el)
From all !5e 'ers'e!i8es o# nursing abo8e3 i! is e8iden! !5a! nursing is 5ig5l& in!era!i8e) I! !5en
beomes an im'or!an! neessi!& #or !5e nurse !o be a$are o# !5e legal as'e!s assoia!ed $i!5
aring and 5el'ing 'eo'le in !5e 5eal!5 are indus!r& !oda&) 4n#or!una!el&3 more negligene ases
are ourring and in $es!ern soie!ies3 less 'eo'le $an! !o ge! in!o !5e 5eal!5 are #ield3 #earing
legal as'e!s and !5e ine8i!able la$ sui!s)
T5e #irs! nursing la$ rea!ed $as !5a! o# Nor!5 Carolina in !5e 4S D'ermissi8e liensure #or
nurses in 1-/. and i! 5as e8ol8ed and e:'anded o8er !5e &ears !o beome a !5i7 boo7 $5i5
e8er& as'iring nurse mus! s!ud& !oda& !o unders!and
und ers!and !5eir so'e o# 'ra!ie)
T5is is beause e8er&
e8 er& nursing s'eial!& 5as legal onsidera!ionsJim'lia!ions #or !5e 'ra!i!ioner)
A'ar! #rom !5e in!era!ions3 doumen!a!ion o# su5 a!i8i!iesJin!era!ions is 8er& im'or!an!)
12 | P a g e
"oumen!a!ion is legal !ender #or an& nursing
nu rsing in!era!ion and are) I! is usuall& !rea!ed as a legal
leg al
issue $5i5 !5e nurse
n urse mus! !a7e 8er& seriousl&)
seriousl&)
In Nigeria3 !5e regula!ion o# nursing 'ro#ession is b& legisla!ion and !5is is based on !5e ode o#
e!5is o# !5e In!erna!ional Counil o# Nurses) T5e Pro#essional Assoia!ion o# Trained Nurses o#
Nigeria sueeded in on8ining !5e Nigerian go8ernmen! !o regula!e Pro#essional Nursing b&
legisla!ion as in o!5er oun!ries
o un!ries and !5e #irs! la$ $as in 1-+0) T5e Nurses> A! $as re8ie$ed in
1-/) T5e A! !ransla!ed !5e basi 'rini'les o# !5e Nurses> ode o# e!5is !o en#oreab
en#oreable
le rules o#
la$) Ho$e8er !5is A! $as re8ie$ed and re*$ri!!en in 1-- under !5e !5en Federal Mili!ar&
Go8ernmen! and is i!ed as !5e Nursing and Mid$i#er& deree 1--) I! is also 7no$n as !5e
Nursing and Mid$i#er& Prini'al A!)
A!) T5e A!
A! $as #ur!5er amended in 1-22 and 1--(
res'e!i8el&) T5e "eree es!ablis5ed !5e Nursing and Mid$i#er& Counil o# Nigeria and
an d saddled
i! $i!5 !5e res'onsibili!& o# regula!ing and on!rolling !5e 'ra!ie o# !5e 'ro#ession in i!s en!ire
rami#ia!ion as 'u! in 'aragra'5 Dd subse!ion ( o# se!ion D1 o# !5e deree) In addi!ion
add i!ion !o !5e
abo8e3 !5e Counil is also !o main!ain disi'line3 es!ablis5 and main!ain a regis!er o# !5ose
en!i!led !o 'ra!ie !5e 'ro#ession)
Em'lo&men! as a nurse reBuires a nursing degree
deg ree as $ell as 7no$ledge o# !5e Nursing la$s !5a!
$ill a''l& s5ould !5ere be a misunders!anding or
o r 5allenge b& a 'a!ien! or !5eir #amil&) Man&
5os'i!als are no! $illing !o 5ire nurses $i!5ou! !5e legal 7no$ledge no$ !5a! legal issues are
beoming more 'roblema!i) In order !o a8oid liabili!& and guard agains! negligene or
mal'ra!ie sui!s3 !5e nurse mus! be a$are o# !5e legal
leg al res'onsibili!ies o# ea5 as'e! o# !5e
nursing role) T5e 'rimar& goals o# 'ro#essional
'ro#essional aoun!abili!& in nurs
nursing
ing are !o main!ain 5ig5
s!andards o# are and !o 're8en! !5e 'a!ien!s #rom 5arm) Nurses s5ould be a$are o# and be
res'onsible #or ea5 a!ion !a7en3 be able !o de#end !5eir a!ions and be $illing !o ae'! !5e
onseBuenes o# !5eir a!ions) Personal aoun!abili!&
aoun!ab ili!& inreases $i!5 !5e degree o# au!onom&3 !5e
5ig5er !5e degree o# au!onom&3
au!ono m&3 and !5e grea!er !5e aoun!abili!&) T5e 'ubli !rus! in a 'ro#ession
inreases 'ro'or!iona!el& !o !5e degree in $5i5 !5e 'ro#essional members guard and 'ro!e! !5e
'ubli>s in!eres!) T5ere#ore i! is im'era!i8e #or nurses !o be aoun!able !o !5emsel8es #or 'ro'er
use o# !5eir 7no$ledge and s7ill in 'ro8iding
' ro8iding are) T5e Tor
Tor!! La$ is !5e as'e! o# !5e la$ !5a! mos!
nurses are more #amiliar $i!5) T5is is !5e la$ !5a! in8ol8es mal'ra!ie and negligene ases)
%asiall& a Tor!
Tor! is a $rong#ul a! $5i5 'rodues 5arm3 $5
$5e!5er
e!5er i! is unin!en!ional or in!en!ional)
Mal'ra!ie is a s'ei#i !&'e o# Tor! $5ere !5e s!andards o# are are no! me!) Common ground
#or !or!s is in8asion o# 'ri8a&? assaul!? ba!!er&? #alse im'risonmen!? #raud and de#ama!ion ei!5er
as libel or slander) Nurses are a##e!ed b& la$ as i!i9ens? as em'lo&ees and as ser8ie 'ro8iders)
As im'or!an! as !5e la$ a''ears !o be in nursing 'ra!ie3 e:'eriene in Nigeria 5as s5o$n !5a!
nurses in !5e 5eal!5
5ea l!5 are ins!i!u!ions Di)e) Primar&3 Seondar& and Ter!iar& be5a8e as i# !5e& are
abo8e !5e la$ and arr& ou! nursing are as !5e& deem #i!) T5e& 5a8e rea!ed an en8ironmen! o#
'o$er rela!ions5i' Di)e) su'erior*in#erior
su'erior*in#erior rela!ions5i') A li!era!ure sear5 re8ealed Bui!e a lo! o#
in#orma!ion on nursing and !5e la$ bu! no s!udies $ere #ound on nurses> 7no$ledge o# legal
as'e!s o# nursing)
1- | P a g e
Presen!l&3 in Nigeria3 !5ere is an ongoing am'aign on !5e Na!ional Heal!5 Insurane S5eme
DNHIS) T5is $ill #ur!5er 'u! demands on nurses beause i# !5e s5eme is #inall& and #ull&
embraed i! $ill rea!e room #or li!iga!ion b& !5e onsumers
on sumers o# 5eal!5 are) I! is agains! !5is
ba7ground !5a! i! beomes im'era!i8e !o #ind ou! $5a! 7no$ledge 'ra!iing nurses in Nigeria
'ossess on legal as'e!s o# nursing 'ra!ie)
AIM AN0 OB>*)TI*!
T5e general aim o# !5e s!ud& $as !o e:amine Nigerian nurses> 7no$ledge o# !5e legal as'e!s o#
nursing 'ra!ie) To a5ie8e !5is aim3 !5e #ollo$ing ob<e!i8es $ere 'ursued)
•
Assess Nurses> 7no$ledge o# general
gen eral la$ o# !5e land)
•
E:amine Nurses> 7no$ledge o# la$ $5i5 es!ablis5es and go8erns nursing
'ra!ie in Nigeria)
•
E:amine Nurses> 7no$ledge o# !5e #un!ions o# la$ in Nursing 'ra!ie)
M*T2O0OLO+?
T5e s!ud& $as a desri'!i8e sur8e& on nurses> 7no$ledge o# legal as'e!s o# nursing 'ra!ie in +
se!!ings) T5e 5oie o# 5os'i!als $as in#ormed b& !5e o$ners5i' and !&'es o# ser8ies rendered
b& ea5 o# !5e 5os'i!als) T5e 5os'i!als $ere as #ollo$s= 4ni8ersi
4ni8ersi!&
!& College Hos'i!al D4CH3
Ibadan? Keri5o Nursing Home DKNH3 Keri5o3 Ibadan? Adeo&o Ma!erni!& Hos'i!al3 Ibadan? Ring
Road S!a!e Hos'i!al3 Ring Road3 Ibadan? Alaa#ia Hos'i!al3 MO 7ola3 Ibadan? and Ca!5oli
Mission Hos'i!als3 Olu&oro  O7e*O#a) T5e s!ud& $as in!ended !o o8er a! leas! ./
. / o# !5e
13(0/ D!arge! 'o'ula!ion nurses $5o $ere in !5ese se!!ings) Ho$e8er3 a !o!al o# 101 res'onden!s>
res'onden !s>
Bues!ionnaires $ere #inall& anal&9ed due !o inom'le!e res'onses o# !5e !arge! 'o'ula!ion) T5is
#igure e8en!uall& ons!i!u!es 1. o# !5e !arge! 'o'ula!ion) A sim'le random sam'ling !e5niBue
$as em'lo&ed in ea5 $ard a! !5e 8arious se!!ings) One ou! o# e8er& !5ree nurses $5ose names
a''eared on !5e du!&
du! & ros!er $as sele!ed in ea5 $ard) A !able o# random numbers $as used in
sele!ing !5e n!5 nurse a#!er !5e #irs! nurses 5ad been sele!ed using !5e same ins!rumen!)
T5e sur8e& ins!rumen! $as a .-*i!em Bues!ionnaire designed b&
b & !5e resear5ers a#!er a series o#
li!era!ure re8ie$s) T5e Bues!ionnaire $as di8ided in!o !$o ma<or se!ions3 A and %) Se!ion A
deal! $i!5 !5e soio*demogra'5i 5ara!eris!is o# res'onden!s and i! onsis!ed o# 0 Bues!ions)
Se!ion % onsis!ed o# .. Bues!ions addressing !5e !5ree s!ud& ob<e!i8es) Ea5 i!em in se!ion %
$as assigned one mar73 !5is mean !5a! !5e !o!al ob!ainable sore is ..) T5e ins!rumen! $as 're*
(/ | P a g e
!es!ed among !$en!& D(/ nurses a! !5e General Hos'i!al Ogbomoso) T5e 're*!es! $as #ollo$ed
b& a !es! re*!es! a#!er #our $ee7s using !5e same sam'le
sam'le and a orrela!ion oe##iien! ra!io r  /)
$as ob!ained)
E!5ial a''ro8al $as ob!ained #rom !5e 4I *4CH IR%) Permission !o arr& ou! !5e s!ud& $as also
ob!ained #rom ea5 o# !5e 'ar!ii'a!ing
'ar!ii'a!ing 5os'i!als) E!5ial issues su5 as in#ormed onsen!=
#reedom !o 'ar!ii'a!e or no! !o 'ar!ii'a!e? anon&mi!& o# 'erson and on#iden!iali!& o#
in#orma!ion o# 'ar!ii'an!s $ere gi8en due onsidera!ions and a!!en!ion)
a !!en!ion) A! !5e indi8idual le8el3
'ar!ii'a!ion $as 8olun!ar& based on in#ormed onsen!) T5ere $as 1// re!rie8al ra!e e8en
!5oug5 so man& Bues!ionnaires $ere no! om'le!ed
 om'le!ed !5us limi!ing sam'le si9e) "a!a $ere anal&9ed
desri'!i8el& using S!a!is!ial Pa7age #or !5e Soial Sienes DSPSS 8ersion
8 ersion 10)
R*!3LT!
T5e belo$ !able s5o$s !5e soio*demogra'5i 5ara!eris!is
 5ara!eris!is o# res'onden!s) T5e ma<ori!&
D2)0 o# !5e res'onden!s $ere #emales !5us re#le!ing !5e 're'onderane
're'onderan e o# $omen in nursing)
T5e ma<ori!& D2 5ad more !5an #i8e &ears o# e:'eriene as nurses and onl
onl&
& a #e$ D2)1 5ad a
single nursing Buali#ia!ion as agains! !5e 'ra!ie in Nigeria $5ere a nurse s5ould 5a8e
addi!ional Buali#ia!ion ei!5er as a regis!ered mid$i#e DRM or regis!ered in an& o!5er nursing
nu rsing
s'eial!&)
Ta"le # Soio*"emogra'5i C5ara!eris!is o# res'onden!s
aria"les
a
ria"les
# Age
Male
NO
-emale

NO
Total
Total

NO

U ./ &rs)
(
1/)/
1(
2),1
1+
2)/
.1  +/ &rs 1 ,)/ +- .(), ,/ .1)/0 +1*,/ &rs 11 ,,)/ ,1 .+)1 0( .2),1 W ,/ &rs 0 ./)/
(+ 1)/( ./ 12)0. Age* un7no$n * * , .),, , .)1
To!al
To
!al
(/
1//)/
1+1
1//)/
101
1//)/
& Religion
C5ris!iani!&
Islam
O!5ers
To!al
To!
al
$ Marital status
Single
11
*
(/
F
,
,,)/
+,)/
*
1//

(,)/
11,
1,
11
1+1
F
..
21)0
1/)0
)2
1//

(.)+
1(0
(+
11
11
101
F
.2
().
1+)0)2
1//

(.)0
Married
Ou! o# Marriage
1,
*
,)/
*
1/.
,
(.)+
.),
.2
,
(.)0
.)1
(1 | P a g e
To!al
To!al
@ ?ears of
e/perience
(/
1//
1+1
1//
101
1//
U , &rs
0*1/ &rs
11*1, &rs
10*(/ &rs
(1*./ &rs
4n7no$n
To!al
To!
al
' Professional
ualification
*
(
.

2
*
(/
*
1/)/
1,)/
.,)/
+/)/
*
1//
(1
1+
.+
.,
+(
,
1,1
1+)2-)-.
(+)11
1).
(-).),
1//
(1
10
.
.(
,/
,
101
1.)/+
-)-+
(()-2
1-)22
.1)/0
.)1
1//
RN onl&
RN3 RM
RN $i!5 o!5ers
To!al
To!
al
 6or7 place
0
*
1+
(/
./)/
*
/)/
1//

11,
11+1
,
21),
1.),
1//
1.
11,
..
101
2)1
1)+
(/),
1//
Tea5ing
Tea5ing 5os'i!al .
S!a!e 5os'i!al
1(
Mission 5os'i!al +
Pri8a!e 5os'i!al 1
To!al
To
!al
(/
1,)/
0/
(/
,)/
1//
(
+2
1(
1+1
,1)1
.+
2),
0)+
1//
,
0/
10
1/
101
1 01
+0)0
.).
-)0)(
1//
Ta"le & Res'onden!s> 7no$ledge o# general
gen eral la$
)haracteristics of
aria"le
a
ria"le tested
La$ de#ined
Soures o# la$
Rig5! !o 'unis5 8iola!ion
No Ignorane in la$
Publi la$
Common la$
Adminis!ra!i8e la$
Criminal la$
Ci8il la$
Nursing Counil
DNMCN
S!a!u!or&
Tor!! la$ la$
Tor
+ood 7no,ledge
Poor 7no,ledge
Total
Total
NO
1+1/.
1+
1..
.2
1/
,(
..
-+
.1

-(),
0+
-1).
2()0
(.)0
0)(
.().
(/),
,2)+
1-)(
NO
1(
,2
1+
(2
1(.
1,1
1/1(2
0
1./

)+
.0)1
2)
1)+
0)+
-.)2
0)
-),
+1)0
2/)2
NO
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
101

1//
1//
1//
1//
1//
1//
1//
1//
1//
1//
+,
--
(2)/
01),
110
0(
()/
(
)/
.2),
101
101
1//
1//
(( | P a g e
Assaul!
Slander
"e#ama!ion
Negligene
Mal'ra!ie
La$ #rom NMCN
/
-2
2,
1(/
1/+
(0
+.),
0/),()2
+),
0+)0
10)1
-1
0.
0
+1
,
1.,
,0),
.-)1
+)(
(,),
.,)+
2.)-
101
101
101
101
101
101
1//
1//
1//
1//
1//
1//
T5e !able s5o$s !5a! res'onden!s 5a8e 8ar&ing 7no$ledge o# !5e one'
one'!! o# la$) Ho$e8er3
res'onden!s demons!ra!ed 'oor 7no$ledge in ommon
o mmon la$ D-.)2? Nursing and Mid$i#er&
Counil o# Nigeria as an es!ablis5ed adminis!ra!i8e agen& D2/)2? riminal la$ D-),?
s!a!u!or& la$ D()/? and Adminis!ra!i8e la$ D0))
Ta"le $ no$ledge o# la$ es!ablis5ing Nursing in Nigeria
)haracteristics
+ood 7no,ledge
Poor 7no,ledge
Total
Total
Variables !es!ed
Variables
Legal #ounda!ion o# nursing
Regis!ra!ion a!
ears o# Nursing  Mid$i#er&
derees
T5e 'rini'al A!
S5edule o# !5e A!
Amendmen! o# !5e A!
A$areness
A$
areness o# Ins!i!u!ional 'oliies
no$ledge o# on!en!s o#
NO
+1
1.0
1+

(,),
2+),
2)
NO
1(/
(,
1+

+),
1,),
-1).
-1 ).
NO
101
101
101

1//
1//
1//
+
.(
((
-1
21
(-)(
1-)1.)
,0),
,/).
11+
1(1./
2/
/)2
2/)1
20).
+.),
+-)
101
101
101
101
101
1//
1//
1//
1//
1//
ins!i!u!ional 'oliies
T5e abo8e !able s5o$s res'onden!s 7no$ledge
7no $ledge o# la$ es!ablis5ing nursing in Nigeria) T5e
ma<ori!& o# !5e res'onden!s 5ad 'oor 7no$ledge o# !5e legal #ounda!ion o# nursing in Nigeria
$5ile almos! all res'onden! D-1). did no! 7no$ !5e &ears !5e nursing and mid$i#er& derees
$ere 'romulga!ed)
(. | P a g e
Ta"le @ Fun!ion o# la$ in Nursing
)haracteristic
)haracte
ristic
+ood 7no,ledge
7no,ledge Poor 7no,ledge
7no,ledge Total
Total
Variable !es!ed
Variable
Pro!e!ion o# !5e soie!& agains!
mal'ra!ie
Frame$or7 #or nursing a!ions
"elinea!ion o# nursing a!ions
Ensures s!andard o# 'ra!ie
Pro!e!ion o# !5e 'ro#essional nurse
Regula!ion o# in!er 'ro#essional
in!era!ion
En5anemen! o# 'ro#essionalism
NO
11+

/)2
NO
+

(-)(
NO
101

1//
11,
00
1.+
,,
1(0
1)+
+1)/
2.)(
.+)(
2).
+0
-,
(
1/0
.,
(2)0
,-)/
10)2
0,)2
(1)
101
101
101
101
101
1//
1//
1//
1//
1//
1(/
+),
+1
(,),
101
1//
T5is !able s5o$s nurses> 7no$ledge o# !5e #un!ion o# la$ in nursing) Res'onden!s s5o$ed good
7no$ledge in !5e #ollo$ing areas= s!andards o# 'ra!ie D2.)(? regula!ion o# in!er 'ro#essional
in!era!ion D2).? en5anemen! o# 'ro#essionalism D+),? #rame$or7 #or nursing a!ions D1)+?
and 'ro!e!ion o# !5e soie!& agains! mal'ra!ie D/)2)
Ta"le ' Summar& o# resul! o# !5e s!ud&
)haracteristics
+ood 7no,ledge
Poor 7no,ledge
Total
Total
Variabless
Variable
no$ledge o# general la$
no$ledge o# la$ go8erning
nursing
F
-+
.0

,2)+
(()+
F
0
1(,

+1)0
)0
F
101
101

1//
1//
2)-
.+
(1)1
101
1//
no$ledge o# #un!ion o# la$ in 1(
nursing
T5is !able s5o$s !5e summar& o# !5e resul!s o# !5e s!ud&) Abou!
Abou! ,2)+ o# res'onden!s
demons!ra!ed good 7no$ledge o# general la$ $5ile 2)- 5ad good 7no$ledge o# !5e #un!ion
o# la$ in nursing) Poor 7no$ledge o# la$ go8erning nursing $as demons!ra!ed b& )0
 )0 o# !5e
res'onden!s)
(+ | P a g e
0I!)3!!ION
T5is s!ud& $as designed !o elii! 5o$ mu5 nurses 7no$ abou! !5e la$s !5a! a##e! !5eir 'ra!ie)
T5e disussion $ill be !rea!ed aording !o !5e ob<e!i8es o# !5e s!ud&)
Kno,ledge on +eneral La,
T5e la$ a##e!s !5e nurse in man& $a&s and ignorane is no! an e:use in la$) In !5e summar& o#
!5is se!ion o# !5e s!ud&3 abou! ,2)+ o# !5e res'onden!s 5a8e 7no$ledge o# !5e general la$ o#
!5e land? $5ile +1)0 5a8e 7no$ledge de#ii! on general la$) Ho$e8er3 !5e 8arious sores on !5e
8ariables !es!ed are s5o$n in Table () I# more nurses are 7no$ledgeable abou! !5e la$s o# !5e
land and a''l& !5em3 !5ere $ill be li!!le or no 'roblems in nursing 'ra!ie sine la$s guide
5uman ondu!) T5oug5 !5ere are 8arious laims !5a! nurses are no! asser!i8e enoug5 !o in#luene
legisla!i8e 'roess in #a8our o# nursing $i!5 !5is resul!3 one is 5o'e#ul !5a! sine !5e ma<ori!&
7no$ !5e la$ o# !5e land3 !5e ne:! s!e' is #or nurses !o s!ri8e !o$ards in#luening legisla!ion in
#a8our o# nursing 'ro#ession)
In !5e 4)S)3 man& 'leas 5a8e gone !o nurses !o be 'oli!iall& inlined !o 8o!e #or 'eo'le $5o 5a8e
!5e in!eres! o# nursing in mind and also !o be 8o!ed #or) T5is is done beause !5e la$ ena!ed b&
!5e legisla!ors beome !5e la$s o# !5e land and su5 is binding on ee8er&
8er& i!i9en inluding nurses)
I! is im'or!an! also !o s!a!e 5ere !5a! !5e 'eren!age o# !5ose $5o 5a8e 7no$ledge
7no $ledge de#ii!s abou!
!5e la$ o# !5e land is 8er&
8e r& 5ig5 and !5is on#irms !5e obser8a!ions o# o!5er s5olars)
La, +o.erning Nursing Practice
One e:'e!s a 'ro#essional !o 5a8e 8as! 7no$ledge o# !5e la$s !5a! go8erns 5is or 5er 'ra!ie)
T5e Nigerian si!ua!ion s5o$s learl& !5a! !5is is no! so) Adelo$o asser!s !5a! !5e ba7bone or
!a'roo! o# an& 'ro#ession is !5e la$ !5a! es!ablis5es and go8erns i!) Probabl&3 i# nurses $ere
in!eres!ed and 7no$ledgeable abou! !5is la$3 or being able !o unders!and !5e in!en! o# !5e la$s3
nursing $ould 5a8e a5ie8ed a grea! deal more !5an i! 5as in Nigeria) In a si!ua!ion $5ere abou!
)0 5a8e signi#ian! 7no$ledge de#ii!s3 one is a'! !o !5in7 !5a! su5 !o'is $ere n
no!
o! dul&
em'5asi9ed in !5e nursing s5ool urriulum) Ho$e8er3 $i!5 re#erene !o !5e resul! o# 7no$ledge
o# general la$ o# !5e land3 one e:'e!s !5a! more nurses s5ould 5a8e 7no$ledge o# la$s
go8erning nursing 'ra!ie)
One o# !5e mos! im'or!an! sa#e !ools agains! li!iga!ion is s!ri! ad5erene !o !5e ins!i!u!ional
'oli&) T5e s!ud& s5o$s !5a! onl& ,0), laimed !5a! !5eir ins!i!
ins!i!u!ions
u!ions 5a8e 'oliies) T5is resul!
rea!es a onern abou! nurses> 8ulnerabili!& !o li!iga!ion and ould <us!i#& !5e inrease in
mal'ra!ie li!iga!ion) I# !5ere are no 'oliies or $5ere !5e 'oliies are no! 7no$n or $ell
unders!ood3 !5e nurses ma& no! 7no$ $5a! !o do in 'ar!iular irums!anes and !5is $ill a##e!
!5eir deisions and <eo'ardi9e !5e are o# lien!s) Pro!e!ion agains! mal'ra!ie begins b&
(, | P a g e
unders!anding !erms and one'!s !5a! are essen!ial in ins!i!u!ing legal a!ion agains! !5e nurse
and inor'ora!ing !5e a''ro'ria!e ris7 redu!ion 'ra!ies in!o dail& 'ra!ie)
Kno,ledge of -unctions of La, in Nursing
La$ 5as been desribed as !5a! $5i5 guides 5uman ondu! X() T5e s!ud& resul! Dsee Table
Table +
s5o$s !5a! abou! -/ o# !5e nurses
n urses 7no$ !5e #un!ions o# la$ in Nursing) Nursing are in8ol8es
grea! in!era!ion and !5e e!5is o# nursing s!ressed !5e need
nee d !o res'e! indi8iduals #or $5om !5e&
are3 7ee' in#orma!ion on#iden!ial and al$a&s a! !o 'ro!e! !5e lien!s) T5is ma& aoun! #or $5
$5&
&
!5ere is good 7no$ledge o# #un!ion o# la$ in nursing) T5is ould #ur!5er e:'lain !5e lo$ ra!e o#
mal'ra!ie li!iga!ion in Nigeria) 5en a nurse 7no$s !5e #un!ion o# la$ in nursing3 abides b&
!5e ode o# ondu! #or nurses3 and !5en sJ5e is bound !o 'ra!ie sa#el&) Al!5oug5 i! 5as been
argued !5a! e!5ial odes are no! la$3 i# !5e& are no! obser8ed3 i! ma&
ma & resul! in si!ua!ions $5ere
!5e lien! ma& see7 redress in !5e la$ our!) In mos! ases3 !5e 'ro#essional !ribunal uses !5e
e!5ial ode and s!andards o# 'ra!ie as !5e basis #or $5i5 a 'ro#essional is liable !o disi'linar&
a!s or no!3 bu! $5en !5e& #ail su5 is re#erred !o !5e la$ our!)
)ON)L3!ION
T5is s!ud& sur8e&ed nurses> 7no$ledge o# legal as'e!s o# nursing 'ra!ie? i! 'resen!ed !5e
resul!s and disussed !5e #indings) T5e resul!s s5o$ed !5a! Nigerian nurses 5a8e 8ar&ing
7no$ledge o# !5e legal as'e!s o# nursing) Essen!iall&3
Essen!iall&3 !5ere $ere 7no$ledge de#ii!s on la$s !5a!
go8ern nursing 'ra!ie and !5e 8arious
8 arious 5os'i!al or ins!i!u!ional 'oliies among !5e nurses under
s!ud&) T5e resul!s o# !5e s!ud& im'l& !5a! Nigerian nurses 5a8e le#! $5a! s5ould be !5e #ounda!ion
s!one and buil! on a $ea7 s!ru!ure) T5ere is no $a& one an '
'ra!ie
ra!ie nursing e##e!i8el& $i!5ou!
being 7no$ledgeable on !5e la$s !5a! es!ablis53 on!rol and 'romo!e nursing 'ra!ie) A nurse
$i!5 sound 7no$ledge o# !5e legal as'e!s o# nursing $ill remain an asse! !o !5e 'ro#ession)
Implications for Nursing
Nursing 'ra!ie is 5ig5l& in!era!i8e? 5ene i!>s
i!>s inreasing 8ulnerabili!& !o li!
li!iga!ion)
iga!ion) In a rela!ed
one'!3 nursing>s Bues! #or Buali!& are3 'a!ien!s>
'a !ien!s> sa!is#a!ion and digni#&ing are im'lies !5a! !5e
'ro#ession ensures !5a! members are 7no$ledgeable on !5eir rig5!s and 'ri8ileges3
'ri8ileges3 'a!ien!s>J
lien!s> rig5!s? and on#orma!ion !o !5e s!andards o# 'ra!ie) T5is beomes 8er& im'or!an!
beause e8er& indi8idual $an!s 5isJ5er rig5!s 'ro!e!ed and $ould do an&!5ing s5ould su5 be
(0 | P a g e
in#ringed u'on) i!5 !5e ad8en! o# ne$ !e5nolog&3 5anging s!a!e and #ederal la$s3 and ne$
our! deisions3 !5e e!5ial and legal issues nurses $ill enoun!er $5en !a7ing are o# 'a!ien!s
$ill no! remain !5e same) Con!inuing edua!ion $ill be essen!ial i# nurses are !o remain urren!3
lo$er !5eir mal'ra!ie liabili!&3 and deli8er Buali!& are) T5is is e8en more im'or!an! in !5is era
o# mul!ina!ional nursing 'ra!ie resul!ing #rom rerui!men! o# nurses #rom di##eren! 'ar!s o# !5e
$orld as 'ar! o# !5e e##or!s !o redue nurse*s5or!age) I! is $i!5 !5e a5ie8emen! o# li!iga!ion#ree
ser8ie !5a! nursing 'ra!ie an be seen !o be a5ie8ing i!s 'ur'ose in soie!&)
R*)OMM*N0ATION!
In 8ie$ o# !5e #indings o# !5is s!ud&3 !5e in8es!iga!ors reommend !5e #ollo$ing=
1
Em'5asis s5ould be 'laed on legal as'e!s o# nursing in !5e #irs! &ear o# nursing
edua!ion and mu5 a!!en!ion s5ould be 'aid !o i!s unders!anding)
(
Nurses s5ould 'ar!ii'a!e in Con!inuing Edua!ion Programmes Organi9ed b& !5e
Pro#essional bod& #or re!raining on on!em'orar& issues in Nursing su5 as legal as'e!s
o# nursing)
( | P a g e
References
Al7aissi; A: Legal Aspects of Nursing; &%##; A.aila"le from:
,,,na8aheduCfileC*ssaysCenglishCAidahD&%KaisiC&'doc; last update >ul &%##
Amanda; B: Legal Aspects of Nursing; &%%E; A.aila"le from:
http:CC*FineArticlescomC9e/pertGAmandaHBog;
http:CC*FineArticl escomC9e/pertGAmandaHBog; last update -e"
&%%E
Amsale; ) Ato M; and Tsehay !: Introduction to Professional
Nursing and *thics; *thiopia Pu"lic 2ealth Training
Training Initiati.e; Addis A"a"a
3ni.ersity; &%%
Belal; 2: Legal Aspects of Nursing; &%%J; A.aila"le from:
,,,highlandseduCCnursingCLegalD&%Aspectsppt; last update >ul &%#%
)ummings; 0: 2o, to 6rite a )ontract for Nursing !er.ices; 0emand Media; Inc;
&%##; A.aila"le
A.aila"le from: http:CC,,,eho,
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0e,itt; !: -undamental concepts and s7ills for nursing; 6B!aunders )ompany
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KoFier; B; et al: -undamentals of nursing: )oncepts process and
Practice; #th ed; Pearson Prentric 2all; &%%@ I!BN%(#$(#&&EE(#
Mustard; -: The !cope of Nursing Practice: A re.ie, of Issues and
Trends;
Trends; )anadian Nurses Association; #JJ$; P
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