Overview

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This course explores the principles of professionalism in nursing and healthcare. Learners will understand the importance of ethics, accountability, and integrity in clinical practice. Through practical examples, the course highlights how professional behavior, cultural competence, and ethical decision-making enhance patient trust, teamwork, and quality of care.

Syllabus

Nursing Leadership and Clinical Judgment

This module develops students' professional identity as nurse leaders while strengthening essential clinical reasoning abilities. Students will explore foundational leadership principles that shape professional nursing practice and examine the role of critical thinking in complex healthcare decision-making. The module emphasizes the systematic application of the nursing process as a framework for patient care, practical approaches to problem resolution in clinical settings, and evidence-based clinical decision-making strategies. Through this exploration, learners will integrate leadership competencies with clinical judgment skills necessary to provide safe, effective patient care and assume leadership responsibilities in diverse healthcare environments.

Ethics in Nursing Practice

This module introduces students to the ethical foundations that guide professional nursing practice and clinical decision-making. Students will explore fundamental ethical principles and common ethical concerns encountered in healthcare settings, examining how these principles inform patient care decisions. The module emphasizes patient rights and advocacy, providing a comprehensive understanding of the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics as a framework for professional conduct and ethical practice. Students will also learn to apply evidence-based practice principles to nursing, integrating research evidence with ethical considerations to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. Through this exploration, learners will develop the ethical reasoning and professional judgment necessary to navigate complex moral situations, uphold patient rights, and maintain the integrity of the nursing profession.

Health Care Law

This module provides students with essential knowledge of legal principles and regulations that govern nursing practice and healthcare delivery. Students will explore Nurse Practice Acts that define the scope of nursing practice, advance directives that guide end-of-life care decisions, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements for protecting patient privacy. The module emphasizes the Just Culture framework for addressing errors and accountability, mandatory reporting obligations for suspected abuse and unsafe practices, and risk management strategies to promote patient safety. Students will examine the application of civil and criminal law in nursing practice, including malpractice and negligence, as well as the role and protections of whistleblowing in healthcare. Through this exploration, learners will develop the legal literacy necessary to practice nursing within regulatory boundaries, protect patient rights, maintain professional accountability, and navigate complex legal situations in healthcare settings.