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Georgia College & State University
College of Health Sciences
School of Nursing
NRSG 3680 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing Syllabus
Spring 2014
Course Prefix
and Number
Prerequisites
NRSG 3680
NRSG 3140, NRSG 3240, NRSG 3340, NRSG 3540
Course Title
Legal & Ethical Issues in Nursing
Lecture
22
Hours:
Clock Hours 3
in Class:
0
Online % 60
Faculty:
Face-to-Face % 40
 Jeanne Sewell, MSN, RN-BC, Assistant Professor
 211, Parks Memorial Bldg., Georgia College, Milledgeville, GA
Phone: 478-445-3928
 Email: jeanne.sewell@gcsu.edu
 Office Hours: By appointment
Required
Text(s)
Guido, G. W. (2009). Legal and ethical issues in nursing (5th ed.). Saddle River:
Prentice-Hall.
The New York Times newspaper
Other
American Psychological Association. (2009). Publication manual of the
American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
ISBN: 978-1-4338-0559-2
Catalog
Description:
Program
Outcomes
Legal and ethical issues pertinent to the health environment are examined.
1. Use effective situational communication.
2. Incorporate best current evidence with clinical expertise and
client/family preferences and values to maximize health outcomes.
3. Apply principles of leadership, quality improvement, and client safety to
monitor and improve outcomes of nursing care.
4. Demonstrate professional nursing values of altruism, autonomy, human
dignity, integrity and social justice.
5. Provide culturally and spiritually sensitive care to maximize health
outcomes.
6. Apply principles of health promotion, disease and injury prevention to
maximize health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities
7. Recognize the need for advocacy in financial and regulatory, legislative,
and public policy changes that influence the health care system.
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8. Collaborate with the client/designee and health care team in providing
compassionate and coordinated care across the lifespan
9. Demonstrate competent use of informatics to support decision making,
mitigate error, and improve outcomes.
10. Apply concepts from liberal arts, social, and natural sciences, clinical
reasoning, and nursing science to form the basis for professional practice.
Course
Outcomes
Topic Outline
Upon completion of this course, the student will:
Program
Course Outcomes
Outcomes
Employ a systematic process for examining healthcare dilemmas to
1,4
make ethical decisions.
Demonstrate information literacy and communication skills to
2,9
support evidence-based legal and ethical decision making.
Apply principles of professionalism, leadership, quality improvement,
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and client safety to evaluate complex clinical cases.
5, 7, 8
Advocate for the client's cultural/spiritual preferences, values, and
needs within a legal and ethical framework of the healthcare system.
 Module 1 - Introduction to Ethics
 Module 2 - Introduction to the Law and the Judicial Process
 Module 3 - Liability Issues
 Module 4 - Impact of Law on the Professional Practice of Nursing
Teaching/Learn Assign readings, class and online discussions, self-reflection journals, selfing Methods
testing, written final exam, class debates
A = 91-100
B = 83-90
C = 75-82
D = 66-74
F = < 65
Grading Scale
Prior to mid-semester, the gradebook provides feedback on your academic
performance in this course
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Individual Assignments - 17%
Self-Tests - 34%
Debates - 10%
Final Exam - 39%
All policies in the current Georgia College Undergraduate Catalog and the
Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook are applicable. Please consult web
Course Policies site for handbook at the following sites:
http://www.gcsu.edu/registrar/catalog.htm and
http://info.gcsu.edu/intranet/health_sciences/bsn handbook/bsnhndbk.doc. In
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addition to these University and School policies, students are expected to
comply with the following course policies:
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No credit is given for late discussion assignments.
All students must regularly check Bobcats email to receive official
communication from university faculty and staff.
All students must have an activated Bobcat identification card. The
Bobcat card is required to use library services.
Rounding Policy: Rounding for this course will occur only with the final
average grade for the course. There will be no rounding of exam grades
or other written assignments during the semester. If the final course
average to the nearest tenth is .5 or more, the final course grade will be
rounded up to the next whole number (i.e. 88.5 would be rounded to 89)
(i.e. 88. 45 would not be rounded).
In addition to these University and School policies, students are expected to
comply with the following course policies:
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
Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to be on time and must attend all classes per the
scheduled hours. There are NO "excused absences." A grade of "F" will
automatically be assigned should there be TWO absences prior to
midterm. If a student is late when class attendance is checked, the
student may be considered absent for the entire class.
Other:
o Due to the supplementary on-line nature of this course, it is
understood that students taking this course may be devoting up to
2 hours some weeks on-line completing this course.
o The minimum technology requirements:
http://www.gcsu.edu/technology/campustech/recommendations.ht
m
o Students must be able to access GeorgiaVIEW and submit
assignments as either Word documents or PDF files. To properly
work with GeorgiaVIEW, students must have Desire2Learn
supported computer web browsers & operating systems. To
determine if the computer is properly configured for
GeorgiaVIEW, click on System Check link below
Please click here for a System Check before you log in.
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This course will be delivered in the traditional classroom and the
Internet using GeorgiaView Desire 2 Learn software. Students are
expected to possess competencies in navigating Windows
operating system and Netscape or Internet Explorer, PC file
management, and the ability to effectively use Microsoft Office®
products when creating course documents. Required computer
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skills include: highlighting, dragging and dropping, copying and
pasting, saving to hard drive and disc, using email and uploading
files to the course site.
The GeorgiaView component of the course can be accessed from
the GC computer labs in both Milledgeville and Macon. Students
can access the online course from any computer with an Internet
connection and web browser.
Intermediate knowledge of computers, word processing skills and
the Internet.
Computer and web browser compatible with GeorgiaView
VISTA.
Up-to-date Anti-virus software that is ACTIVATED!
Access to Mac or PC computer with an Internet connection.
Ability to download files, send, and receive attachments.
Email address and a connection to the Internet
Printer
Turnitin
Students are expected to submit original work that does not contain plagiarism.
In addition to being knowledgeable about published works, faculty at GC use
Turnitin found at www.turnitin.com and Desire2Learn to detect instances of
plagiarism. Students are required to check their own work or submit documents
in electronic form for faculty members to submit. This software contains an
extensive database of published works, student papers, and Internet documents.
However, students should also be aware that Turnitin does not substitute for
professional judgment about plagiarism.
Clinical
Facilities
Not applicable
In the event of a fire alarm signal, students should exit the building in a quick
and orderly manner through the nearest hallway exit not obstructed by fire or
smoke. Students should be familiar with the floor plan and exits of the classroom
building.
Fire Drill
Procedure
Request for
Disability
Modifications:
In case of a fire: DO NOT reenter the building under any circumstances.
Assemble for a head count in front of the building away from the fire apparatus
and report your presence to your instructor. Follow directions of the uniformed
Public Safety Officers in your area. Exit the building using the stairs. Health
Science building occupants will exit to the front of Herty. Stay with your group
and with your instructor.
Please see the link below for additional information:
http://info.gcsu.edu/intranet/epos/Emergency%20Action%20Plan%20Summary
%20Guide.pdf
If you have a disability as described by the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, you may be eligible to
receive accommodations to assist in programmatic and physical accessibility.
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Disability Services of the Georgia College (GC) Office of Institutional Equity
and Diversity can assist you in formulating a reasonable accommodation plan
and in providing support in developing appropriate accommodations needed to
ensure equal access to all GC programs and facilities. Course requirements will
not be waived but accommodations may assist you in meeting the
requirements.
For documentation requirements and for additional information, we recommend
that you contact Disability Services located in Maxwell Student Union at 478445-5931 or 478-445-4233.
Interlibrary
Loan
Any student requiring instructional modifications due to a documented disability
should make an appointment to meet with Ms. Jeanne Sewell within in the first
week of classes. An official letter from GC documenting the disability is
expected in order to receive accommodations.
Students are encouraged to use the GC Library and the interlibrary loan services
(http://www2.gcsu.edu/library/ill/)) to obtain journal articles relevant to this
course.