HNN714 - Ethical Dimensions in Nursing
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Susan Hunter |
| Cohort rule: | This unit is only available to students enrolled in H568, H569, H575, H645, H665, H666, H667, H668, H669, H672, H675, H679, H771, H777, H779, M701, M703 |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | HME711 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | Online self directed/supervised study comprised of 10 weekly content modules and independent learning activities. |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Content
This unit is designed to critically explore the ethical nature of contemporary nursing practice, structured around three central themes: the ethical dimensions of nursing, the practical application of ethical principlism, and contemporary ethical issues in health care.
Particular attention is given to various crucial aspects of nursing ethics such as the essential need for ethical knowledge and conduct in the profession and the interplay between legal, professional, and ethical responsibilities. Students will also explore a range of philosophical perspectives that inform ethical deliberation through consideration of key ethical issues including duty and rights in health care, vulnerability and justice, personal values and conscientious objection, sustainability, the ethical implications of using AI in care delivery, and ethical considerations surrounding end-of-life care.
The unit fosters critical reflection on personal practice, prompting students to examine how the ethical considerations within the unit inform their decision-making and care delivery in varied healthcare settings and patient populations.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding through describing ethical issues, principles and theories in the context of nursing practice. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Communicate professionally and provide peer feedback to colleagues in online environments to enhance ethical reasoning in nursing practice. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Integrate ethical theory and principles to critically analyse common ethical issues and navigate ethical dilemmas in nursing practice. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Critically reflect on how ethical theories and principles inform your professional practice and promote accountability in nursing practice. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Assessment
| Assessment description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Unit cloud discussion-board posts | Equivalent to 1000 words | 10% |
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| Assessment 2: Narrated PowerPoint presentation | Equivalent to 1500 words | 40% |
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| Assessment 3: Assignment | 2500 words | 50% |
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The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for HNN714 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.