Law and Professional Issues in Nursing

Nurses are more accountable than ever to the public, patients, their employers and the profession and it is vital that they have a clear understanding of the legal, ethical and professional dilemmas they will face in the course of their professional career. This book is an essential resource for student nurses as they begin to develop their knowledge and understanding of the requirements for safe practice in healthcare.

This new edition includes increased coverage of protection of vulnerable adults and ethics and principled decision making.

"This is an essential resource for student nurses as they begin to develop their knowledge and understanding of the requirements for safe practice in healthcare. Nurses are more accountable than ever to the public, patients, their employers and the profession and it is vital that they have a clear understanding of the legal, ethical and professional dilemmas they will face in the course of their professional career. The book contains activities and case studies throughout the text to illustrate key principles and demonstrate how the law is applied in the context of nursing care. The text is up to date with the 2008 NMC Code of conduct." The book has been written specifically for student nurses on the Common Foundation Programme and provides the essentials in line with the NMC Proficiencies, Skills for Health Competencies and QAA descriptors.

Richard Griffith is the team leader for healthcare law in the School of Health Science at Swansea University where he has taught since 1992. He initially trained as a nurse before turning his attention to law and an academic career. He has a particular interest in applied law in healthcare practice and has published widely in a range of nursing journals.

Cassam Tengnah is a lecturer in health law in the School of Health Science at Swansea University and teaches across a range of courses from undergraduate to postgraduate level. His early background is in nursing and health promotion and he has a particular interest in public health law.