Legal and Ethical Considerations in Nursing Profession

Diploma of Nursing 1
Diploma of Nursing
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Diploma of Nursing 2
Question 31 How legal and ethical considerations are relevant and applied to the
nursing profession.
 Children in the Workplace- nurses work to help children in the workplace and bare
responsibility to prevent and protect them against harm.
 Codes of ethics for Nurses in Australia and codes of professional conduct for nurses-
nurses recognizes the codes of ethics and codes of conduct and adhere to all elements
in their work and professional practice(Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia,
2014)
 Codes of practice- Nurses work in line with the four international codes of practice in
as a ethical guidance at work to provide safe care to individuals and community
 Continuation of professional education opportunities- Nurses contributes to foster
professionalism through continuous education and evidence-based practice(Nursing
and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), 2018).
 Discrimination- Nurses recognize and serve all people regardless of their tribe, race,
gender or social status equally.
 The duty of care- Nurses takes seriously their duties and values quality of care to all
people.
 Equal employment opportunities- Nurses values equality and promote equal
employment to all qualified nurses regardless of where they come from.
 Human rights including access to healthcare- Nurses recognize the universal human
rights and takes responsibility to advocate for the inherent dignity of all individual
including the right for the better quality and safety care(Nursing and Midwifery Board
of Australia, 2008)
 Informed consent- Nurses recognize the importance of the informed decision to
patients and the patients are the rightful owner of their life in decision making.

Diploma of Nursing 3
 Insurance requirements including professional indemnity insurance for enrolled
nurses- Nurses support patients in process of insurance application through patient
education in order to reduce the patient burden cost(Nursing and Midwifery Board of
Australia, 2014).
 Life and death issues-nurses recognizes the difficult situation patient go through at
end of life and promote them and their families in making sensible decisions.
 Power of attorney-Nurses recognises the power of attorney by allowing and
supporting patients to choose an individual who can make decisions on their behalf
when they are unable to make for themselves(Johnstone, 2016).
 Living wills and advanced directives-Nurses work to encourage patients to make
advance directives such as a living will during their end of life.
 Guidance- Nurses recognize the general principles surrounding guidanceship and
support the patient in choosing the legal individual who can have autonomy on patient
decisions and properties.
 Disability and Discrimination Act 1992 – Nurses demonstrate their understanding of
the law by providing equal care to all patients regardless of their race, physical and
mental disability, gender, tribe and social status(Johnstone, 2016).
 Children and young people legislation enacted in each state-Nurses values and respect
young people or children as an individual who owns their right as a member of his
family or community he or she lives
 Working with children legislation-Nurses work in opposing all forms of
discrimination or exploitation that may be proposed in the children legislation.
 Workplace health and safety- Nurses advocate for safe and quality environment for
workers to prevent potential occupational health hazards(International Council of
Nurses, 2012).