Essential Law and Ethics in Nursing

'Florence Nightingale certainly possessed foresight regarding the contemporary marriage between law and health care systems when she recognized the strange but indispensable principle that hospitals should do no harm to sick people. In this book, Paul Buka tackles such tension with clarity and depth…

At its outset, Buka’s framework promises exposure to the most essential content, including ethical decision making, confidentiality, laws concerning older people, fraud and abuse, and employment regulations. This practical guide does not fall short of its aim, mastering harmonies of literary prose and technical legalese, current and historic law, and more impressive, didactic and problem-based learning. Such judicious integration leaves the reader – regardless of role as nurse, attorney, student, teacher, or curious patient – informed and empowered.'

- Catrina Sparacio, the College of New Jersey and Princeton University Medical Center, Princeton, NJ, USA

'In today’s increasingly complex healthcare environment, the intersection of law, ethics, and nursing practice has never been more important. As nurses, we are not only caregivers but also advocates, educators, and ethical decision-makers. This fourth edition of Essential Law and Ethics in Nursing: Patients' Rights and Decision-Making offers timely guidance and clarity on the legal and moral responsibilities that underpin modern nursing. It also includes an update on the use of AI and ethics in health care.

Healthcare is evolving rapidly, and with it, the expectations placed upon nursing professionals. This book equips readers with the tools to navigate legal frameworks, respect patient autonomy, and uphold ethical principles in day-to-day practice. It thoughtfully tackles real-world dilemmas and promotes critical thinking in complex situations.

Whether you're a student preparing for practice, or a clinician reflecting on your role, this edition is an essential companion. It empowers nurses to act with confidence, compassion, and integrity. Each chapter has case scenarios and learning points to work through. This allows an engagement with its chapters and deepens your understanding and strengthens your commitment to ethical, patient-centred care.'

- Clive Tobutt RN, PhD, MSc, PGDip (Ed.), PG Dip (Addict. Behav.), FHEA, Lecturer, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King's College London

'It is refreshing to see an up-to-date publication in healthcare law and ethics. While an historic concept that remains true today, some evolving thoughts incorporating the changing state of society nationally and globally is refreshing. Human life and rights are not taken for granted and care of the vulnerable in this context is vitally important. End-of-life care is particularly evolving with changes to policy and the ethical dilemmas therein. Whatever side of the debate you sit this is an important and invaluable discussion presented sensitively and transparently.

This is a worthwhile read for new learners, early career, or seasoned healthcare professionals. Whether there is a new or historical interest in legal and ethical issues in health and social care, this is a good read'

- Cheyne Truman, BSc RN (Adult), FHEA, Lecturer/Programme Lead Adult Nursing, School of Health & Social Care, University of Essex, UK

'In health care, patient -professional encounters are underpinned by relationship mediated by a multitude of factors that determine the quality of care delivered and received. Care delivery is contextualised in evidence informed clinical practice and ethical and legal frameworks for clinical significance and personal health outcomes. Governed by professional standards as embedded regulatory codes and legal frameworks place the safety of patients at the very heart of professional responsibility and accountability. Thus, ethical and legal frameworks seen from an integrated perspective provide overarching concepts, principles and exemplars to guide safe practice with integrity.

The fourth edition of this practice-oriented and inspirational book adds to legal and ethical knowledge crucial to decision-making processes in professional practice in the fields of health care, social work, medicine, and legal practice. Notable new learning materials have been included to reflect the significant needs of professions to include and assimilate the diverse perspectives informing critical approaches to ensure applied and evaluative practice. Written in language that is accessible, objective, and formal in tone, the chapters are set out under titles that focus on researched content with illustrated examples of case laws, points for discussion and reflection, encouraging the reader to seek and gain knowledge and skills in critical reasoning and proficiency. Each chapter focuses on a specific topic and ‘scaffolding’ provides the necessary links for integration and direction in learning.

My interactive experiences when using previous editions of this book as a main resource in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate international students in public health and nursing, and review of this new edition persuades me to strongly recommend this book to everyone whose practice values ethical and legal standards for safe service delivery.'

-Dave Sookhoo, RN, BA, MEd, PhD, Associate Lecturer, University of Sunderland in London, and the Open University, UK

'This is a well-written-book, suitable for students and qualified healthcare professionals who wish to enhance their knowledge and understanding of ethics in health care. Complexities of law and ethics applied to health care context are explored in a way that readers will easily understand. I strongly recommend it'

- Ganapathy Ganesalingam, RGN, BSc, PG Dip, MSc, FHEA, RPA, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing/ Programme Leader Associate Student Health and Social Care, University of Greenwich