SK155 Ethics, Law and Psychology. Subject 5

The goal for the subject is to provide the students with knowledge that makes it possible for them to reflect upon ethical, legal and human dilemmas they will encounter in practicing the nursing profession.

The student:

• Can explain the basic features of general legal theory, administrative law, the Act relating to patients' rights and the Act relating to health personnel etc.
• Can explain various factors that affect the development of a human personality, general cognitive functions and normal psychological reactions to disease and crisis
• Can explain the role of being sick, crises and crisis intervention. The student shall develop his/her ability for interpersonal and nursing reflection upon personal encounters with patients and colleagues.

Framework for practicing the nursing profession

• Social development seen in relation to the challenges in the health and social care sector
• Relevant values and norms in the society and in the health and social sciences (also about how they affect practical nursing skills)
• Values, philosophies and view of life
• Human rights
• Various philosophies and their consequences in nursing practice

Ethics

• Ethics, morals and values
• Philosophy
• Normative ethical theories
• Ethical argumentation
• Ethical reflection
• Ethical dilemmas in nursing practice
• Professional ethics
• Ethical aspects of the duty of professional secrecy

Law

• General legal theory – The Public Administration Act
• Act relating to health personnel etc. and Act relating to patients' rights
• The nurse's duty to provide documentation

Psychology

• History and scientific basis of the subject
• The biological fundamentals
• Developmental psychology
• Learning, memory, thinking/intelligence, language
• Health psychology
• Crises and coping

Communication

• Individual and community, communication, relation and empathy
• Communication between professional and user

• Lectures
• Training in communication and interaction
• Study groups with guidance
• Problem-solving, individually and in groups

• Obligatory attendance of instruction in professional ethics and legislation
• Written compulsory assignments in law, psychology and ethics
• Student work related to instruction in nursing documentation
• Career guidance days in compulsory assignments, law and psychology

SK155 Ethics, Law and Psychology. Portfolio assessment. Individual. Letter grade.

Portfolio: Three written assignments.
Presentation folder: Two written assignments will be selected by a faculty member for the presentation folder.

With the grade of F or with an improvement of the portfolio, there will be a new selection among the three written assignments in the portfolio.

Brinchmann, B.S. (ed.) (2005). Etikk i sykepleien (Ethics in nursing): Oslo, Norway: Gyldendal akademisk. 212 p. ill.

Håkonsen, K.M. (2003, 3rd rev. ed.). Innføring i psykologi. (Introduction to Psychology). Oslo, Norway: Gyldendal akademisk. pp. 13-113.

Kristoffersen, N.J. and Nortvedt, P. (2005). Relasjonen mellom sykepleier og pasient. (The relationship between nurse and patient). Chapter in Volume 1 of Kristoffersen, N. Jahren, Nortvedt, F. and Skaug, E.-A. (2005): Grunnleggende sykepleie. (Basic nursing). Oslo, Norway: Gyldendal akademisk. pp. 137 – 183 in Volume 1.

Mathisen, J. (2005). Livets avslutning. (The last phase in life). Chapter in Kristoffersen, N. Jahren, Nortvedt, F. and Skaug, E.-A. (2005): Grunnleggende sykepleie. (Basic nursing). Oslo, Norway: Gyldendal akademisk. pp. 271-318 in Volume 4.

Dahl, K., Heggdal, K. and Standal, S. (2005). Sykepleiedokumentasjon. (Nursing documentation). Chapter in Kristoffersen, N. Jahren, Nortvedt, F. and Skaug, E.-A. (2005): Grunnleggende sykepleie. (Basic nursing). Oslo, Norway: Gyldendal akademisk. pp. 100-148 in ch. 4.

Heggdal, K. (2006). Sykepleiedokumentasjon. (Nursing documentation). Oslo, Norway: Gyldendal akademisk. pp. 190-207 in ch. 8.

Molven, O. (2003). Sykepleie og jus. (Nursing and law). Oslo, Norway: Gyldendal Akademisk. pp. 17-199.

Syse, A (ed.) (2005). Norges Lover - Lovsamling for helse- og sosialsektoren2005-2006. (Norway's Laws - Body of law for the health and social care sector 2005-2006.) Oslo, Norway: Gyldedal Akademisk.

The Norwegian Nurses' Association (2001). "Yrkesetiske retningslinjer." (Professional ethical guidelines). Online. Web-site: http://www.nosf.no (6 June 2006).

International council of nurses (1999). "Internasjonale, etiske reglar for sjukepleiarar." (International ethical rules for nurses). (Online). Web-site: http://www.nosf.no (6 June 2006).