NURS 222 Professional Practice III: Nursing Ethics

School of Health and Human Services

NURS 222 Professional Practice III: Nursing Ethics builds on previous Relational Practice and Professional Practice courses, focusing on the growing body of knowledge related to nursing ethics. Beginning with an understanding of bio-medical ethics that have dominated nursing ethics in the past and moving to an understanding of developing ethical theory related to nursing and nursing issues, participants will have opportunities to explore nursing ethics in the context of their nursing practice.

Prerequisites: AHSC 218, NURS 216, NURS 217, and NURS 219 all with a minimum grade of 60%

Corequisite: Year 2 Nursing courses

Accessibility Services Notice

Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.

Transfer Agreements

Course to Course transfer – YesBlock Transfer – Nobctransferguide.ca
Course Details
Total number of weeks15
Total Credits
Total Hours45
Typical hours per week breakdown
Lecture3

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

  1. Gain an understanding of nurses as moral agents who enact ethical decisions in relation with others and in a context (organizational, socio-political)
  2. Have opportunities to discuss ethical dilemmas that they might encounter in their nursing practice

Teaching and Learning Approach

Please refer to additional assessment notes for more information related to 2026 course outcomes This course uses a praxis approach (the act of applying critical theory into practice) as the foundation of inquiry, reflection, discovery and decision-making. Opportunities are provided for learners to critically examine how nurses act as "moral agents" and approach questions such as "What is good?" "What is "right", and, "How do I do good as a nurse?" Discovery will occur through information sharing using instructor facilitated theory review, small interactive group activities, and praxis-focused assessments. Learners will also use leading resources and scholarly sources to enhance and grow their knowledge of ethics in a personal, professional, and global context. Responsibility and accountability for regular attendance is considered a mandatory requirement to ensure the quality of group learning. Preparation for each class is also mandatory, with all pre-class preparation resources provided on Moodle LEARN.

Learning Resources

All required resources are provided on Moodle LEARN, including links to Pressbooks. Suggestions for additional readings are provided each week (non-mandatory)

Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered

1. Course Overview and Intro to Nursing Ethics - Principles and Concepts 2. Ethical Theories and Core Values in Nursing: Intro to CNA Code of Ethics 3. Medical Bioethics and Research Part #1 4. Student Visual Media Presentation - Ethical Principles and Concepts (Assignment#1) 5. Ethical Decision-Making Models 6. Contemporary Ethical Issues in Healthcare: Justice and Healthcare Funding 7. National Family Day and Winter Study Break - no class 8. The Moral Foundations of Personal and Professional Decision-Making & Moral Distress 9. Debates 1&2 10. Debates 3&4 11. Debates 5&6 12. Debates 7 & Alternative (if required) 13. Contemporary Issues in Healthcare: Technology and the Protection of Privacy Christiona Good Friday - April 3rd. no class 14. Medical Bioethics and Research Part #2 Christiona Easter Monday - April 6th - no class

Assessment

TitleLearning OutcomesValue
Ethical Principle / Concepts: Visual Media Presentation Completion of TCPS2- Ethical COnduct for1, 2 Research10%
Involving Humans CORE-2022 Modules2, 3, 4, 5, 620%
Ethical Debate1-635%
Ethical Decision-Making Reflective Summary2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 735%
Total100%

Grading Table

Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table

Percentage Letter Grade GPA
90-100 A+ 4.33
85-89 A 4.00
80-84 A- 3.67
76-79 B+ 3.33
72-75 B 3.00
68-71 B- 2.67
64-67 C+ 2.33
60-63 C 2.00
55-59 C- 1.67
50-54 P 1.00
0-49 F 0.00
DNW 0.00

See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.

Disclaimer

Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.