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Ethics and Ethical Standards for Nurses & Midwives

👥 0 students 📖 32 lessons & topics

Course Description

Ethical concerns such as consent, confidentiality, honesty, professional boundaries, and the duty of candour are common causes of complaints and regulatory action within nursing and midwifery. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) expects registrants to practise with integrity, put people at the centre of care, and maintain public confidence in the profession. This course provides clear, practical guidance on navigating ethical dilemmas, meeting NMC expectations, and responding appropriately when things go wrong.

Who This Course Is For

This course is designed for registered nurses across all fields of practice, midwives, and nursing associates working across NHS and independent settings in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is particularly relevant for practitioners facing complaints, investigations, fitness-to-practise proceedings, or remediation relating to ethical concerns.

What You Will Learn

The course covers core ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and confidentiality, the NMC Code and its application in everyday practice, informed consent and patient-centred decision-making, the duty of candour, accurate documentation and ethical record-keeping, professional boundaries including digital professionalism, and NMC fitness-to-practise processes and regulatory outcomes.

What You Receive

On successful completion you receive a CPD UK accredited certificate and structured CPD evidence suitable for NMC revalidation, appraisal, remediation portfolios, and regulatory submissions. The course is fully online and self-paced — accessible immediately after enrolment.

CPD UK CertifiedThis course is CPD UK certified. The accredited certificate issued on completion is accepted as evidence for NMC revalidation, appraisal, and professional regulatory submissions.
Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. This course is CPD UK certified, and participants receive an accredited CPD certificate on successful completion.

Yes. The course provides structured CPD evidence suitable for NMC revalidation, reflective discussions, and professional portfolios.

Yes. This course is particularly suitable for nurses and midwives dealing with complaints, investigations, fitness-to-practise processes, or remediation relating to ethical concerns.

Yes. The course explains the duty of candour in nursing and midwifery practice, including how to apologise appropriately and respond honestly when things go wrong.

Yes. The course is delivered fully online and can be completed at your own pace, with instant access immediately after enrolment.

Course Content

1

Section 1 – Overview of Healthcare Ethics

  • 1.1 What is Medical Ethics?

  • 1.2 Importance of Ethics in Nursing & Midwifery Profession

  • 1.3 Overview of the NMC’s Role

  • 1.4 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 1

2

Section 2 – Core Ethical Principles in Healthcare Practice

  • 2.1 Autonomy

  • 2.2 Beneficence and Non-Maleficence

  • 2.3 Justice

  • 2.4 Confidentiality

  • 2.5 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 2

3

Section 3 – Professional Integrity and Honesty

  • 3.1 Maintaining Honesty and Integrity

  • 3.2 Duty of Candour

  • 3.3 Documentation and Record-Keeping

  • 3.4 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 3

4

Section 4 – Patient-Centred Care and Shared Decision-Making

  • 4.1 Informed Consent

  • 4.2 Patient Communication

  • 4.3 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 4

5

Section 5 – Professional Boundaries and Conduct

  • 5.1 Maintaining Appropriate Boundaries

  • 5.2 NMC Guidance on Boundaries

  • 5.3 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 5

6

Section 6 – Breach of Expected Ethical Standards

  • 6.1 Common Breaches

  • 6.2 Consequences of Breaching Ethical Standards

  • 6.3 NMC’s Actions in Response to Breaches

  • 6.4 Steps Nurses/Midwives Should Take to Remediate

  • 6.5 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 6

7

Section 7 – Conclusion and Takeaways

  • 7.1 Conclusion and Takeaways