As nurses we are all, no doubt, very aware of the myriad of legal and ethical issues in any health care setting. We are familiar with licensing for health care professionals, perhaps carry our own malpractice insurance, and have been cautioned by our employing institutions to always follow policy and procedures. Nursing education is no different; there are specific legal and ethical issues that are of concern to nurse educators. Some of the specific areas of which nurses working in education need to be well aware include the following: In addition, it is also important to understand the responsibility of faculty regarding information about students. This is important for both academic faculty and for clinical faculty supervising students in clinical areas. As in clinical practice, documentation of concerns and issues that arise in educational settings can be very important. As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or broaden your viewpoint. You are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community. Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or submitted as part of your assessment. In this assessment, you will create a PowerPoint presentation that you could use to teach a group about a legal or ethical issue related to nursing or nursing education. To do so, you will select a case from the | media piece to be your focus. As you conduct research, synthesize information that will be needed to evoke a change in the situation. For the 12–20 slide presentation: For the 2–4 contextual slides (which are not considered part of the actual presentation but rather should contain information that you as a presenter would need to consider in your preparation and presentation):

Legal and ethical issues are pervasive in the field of nursing and are of particular concern for nurse educators. Whether in academic or clinical settings, nurse educators must navigate a complex web of laws and ethical guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of their students. This assignment aims to explore a legal or ethical issue related to nursing or nursing education and create a PowerPoint presentation to educate others on the topic.

One area of concern for nurse educators is the responsibility of faculty regarding information about students. Just like healthcare professionals in clinical practice, nursing educators must handle sensitive information about students, such as their academic performance or personal health issues. Maintaining student privacy and confidentiality is crucial, and breaches of confidentiality can have serious legal and ethical ramifications.

In the academic setting, faculty members have access to a wealth of student information, including grades, attendance records, and personal health disclosures. These data must be treated with the utmost care and only shared with authorized personnel on a need-to-know basis. Violating student confidentiality can lead to legal action, such as a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records and grants students certain rights regarding the release of their records.

Clinical faculty members, who supervise students in healthcare settings, also have access to sensitive information about their students. This includes information about the student’s clinical performance, professional conduct, and patient interactions. Clinical faculty must be mindful of the ethical obligation to provide constructive feedback and guidance while respecting the student’s privacy. Documenting any concerns or issues that arise during clinical experiences is essential for the student’s growth and development, as well as for potential future references or evaluations.

In addition to the responsibility of faculty regarding student information, nurse educators must also be familiar with other legal and ethical issues. Some examples include ensuring a safe learning environment, avoiding conflicts of interest, and upholding professional standards. Educators must adhere to institutional policies and procedures, as well as professional codes of ethics, such as those set forth by organizations like the American Nurses Association (ANA) or National League for Nursing (NLN).

When creating the PowerPoint presentation for this assignment, it is important to select a case from the provided media piece that embodies the chosen legal or ethical issue. This case will serve as the focal point for the presentation and will be used to illustrate the need for change in the situation. Researching and synthesizing relevant information will be necessary to support the arguments and recommendations presented in the presentation.

The presentation should consist of 12-20 slides, excluding the contextual slides. The contextual slides, which are not considered part of the actual presentation, will contain information that the presenter would need to consider in their preparation and delivery. These slides may include an outline of the presentation, key points to cover, visual aids, and any additional materials or resources.

In conclusion, nurse educators must be equipped with a thorough understanding of the legal and ethical issues that pertain to nursing and nursing education. Responsibilities such as protecting student privacy, ensuring a safe learning environment, and upholding professional standards are of utmost importance. By creating a PowerPoint presentation on a chosen legal or ethical issue, educators can educate others and promote positive change in the field. Conducting thorough research and synthesizing relevant information will be crucial for the success of the presentation.