This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth study of ethics and law as applied within health and health care systems. Students explore legal terminology, reasoning and processes and the basic principles of law that apply to and govern the delivery of health care services and nursing practice in context of inter-sectoral care. Building off of previous BScN courses, students are engaged to explore ethical theories and principles in relation to understanding and addressing ethical issues in nursing from a professional, interdisciplinary, and structural (organizational ethics and socio-political-economic) perspective.
Prerequisites
NURS 3252, NURS 3263, NURS 3264, NURS 3370.
Course type
This course is offered as part of a VCC program and cannot be taken individually.
International students: Eligibility is determined at the program level. Visit the program page for international student requirements and application information.
- Classical and contemporary ethical theories, ethical principles, world views and ethics Indigenous perspectives on ethics Canadian legal system: natural justice/procedural justice; due process and rule of law; case law; statutes and regulations; legislative process; Constitution of Canada; Charter of Rights and Freedoms; court system; basis of contract and tort law Indigenous perspectives on law Resources for guiding ethical practice: codes of ethics; ethical decision-making frameworks; interdisciplinary practice; moral communities of practice Contextual factors that affect ethical nursing practice Nurses’ legal accountabilities: professional competence, misconduct, malpractice Patients’ rights and patient care, including statutory duties, contractual duties and tort duties, in particular a discussion of negligence, direct, vicarious and corporate liability, medical products liability, risk management and quality assurance as well as insurance Public health/population health promotion ethics Legal context of health care systems: The legal relationship between patients/clients and the health care institutions caring for them as well as the governmental agencies involved
Course schedules
Select your program to see the available course schedules.
| CRN# | Duration | Delivery | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70498 |
November 13, 2026 to January 29, 2027 |
Online | Online | See full schedule |
Online courses listed without scheduled meeting times can be completed on your own schedule. All self-paced courses have on-campus tests. Off-site certified invigilation centres may be used at the student's expense.
How to take this course
This course is offered as part of a VCC program only.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please email at [email protected].
† This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.