This course is hybrid. We will meet in-person on two dates, which are posted on the course calendar (Aug. 25th and Sept. 22nd, 2026). We will also have on-campus interviews which are self-scheduled by students based on the faculty members' posted interview times. Please see the calendar for more details.
This course is taken during the fourth semester of the program. It provides an introduction to legal aspects of nursing and ethical issues involved in nursing. It also focuses on issues and responsibilities in nursing, implications of the Nurse Practice Act, nursing organizations, and the transition from nursing student to practicing registered nurse.
Faculty Contact Information
Please feel free to stop in our offices anytime that we are there. We can also be reached by email or by calling and leaving a message on our office phones. Faculty office hours are for YOU. Your instructor’s sole purpose during office hours is to be available to you to help you with questions, course related problems, or just to chat. Taking advantage of this one-on-one time with your instructors is highly recommended, and it’s also a great way to help ensure your academic success.
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act related to legal and ethical issues
- Apply effective verbal and written communication techniques in preparation for entering the workforce
- Illustrate the nurse’s role in applying evidence- based practice for clinical decision making.
- Formulate collaborative relationships with potential employers.
- Legal Ethical Issues
- Ethical Dilemmas
- Resume, Cover Letter, Interviews
- Online Topic Presentations: Valuing the Political Process, Applying Research and Technology to Nursing Practice, Hot Topics in Nursing Today, Credentials for Healthcare Providers, Making Professional Goals a Reality, Facing the Challenges
Buckway, Amy & Sowerby, Holli (2023). Nursing in Today’s World. 12th Edition, Wolters Kluwer.
30 points (23%) Online Topic presentation
9 points (7%) Discussion posts
10 points (8%) Homework
30 points (23%) Online quizzes- 3
50 points (39%) Resume (25) and mock interview (25)
Total points: 129 points, need 103.2 points for 80%
Grading Scale
A 89.5-100 %
B 83.5-89.4 %
C 80-83.4 %
F < 80 %
Online Topic Presentations:
Valuing the Political Process, Applying Research and Technology to Nursing Practice, Hot Topics in Nursing Today, Credentials for Healthcare Providers, Making Professional Goals a Reality, Facing the Challenges
Health Careers
Dean, Brad Wood; 815-802-8815; M107; bwood@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8800
Teaching Methods
Lecture and discussion
Discussion posts
Online lectures
Online group presentations
Mock interviews
Instructional Method
This is a hybrid course. A portion of the course content is delivered in face-to-face meetings in the classroom, while a portion of the course content is delivered online through KCC’s learning management system, Canvas. The student will participate in online discussions and presentations. Each student is responsible for online participation and for the presentation of a selected topic to be prepared with classmates as assigned by the faculty member. A mock interview will also be completed on campus. This will be scheduled, and appointments will be made with each student.
Student Requirements
PowerPoint group presentation of a selected topic in the online classroom
Discussion posts on legal and ethical issues
Completion of online quizzes (Legal & Ethical, Topic Presentations and Final)
Preparation of a resume and cover letter
Participation in a mock interview
Check Canvas daily for any course emails and updates
Artificial Intelligence
- Care plans and nursing care plans
- Written assignments
- Clinical paperwork submitted for a grade
- Reflection papers
- Discussion posts and responses
- Case studies
- Patient education assignments
- Written clinical assignments
- Essays or other written coursework
- Any other written work designated by the instructor as graded
- Identify patient problems and priorities
- Analyze assessment findings
- Develop appropriate nursing diagnoses
- Establish measurable goals and outcomes
- Select evidence-based nursing interventions
- Provide appropriate rationales
- Evaluate patient responses
- Demonstrate clinical judgment and nursing reasoning
- Explain a nursing concept in different words
- Generate practice questions for studying
- Create a study guide for personal use
- Review general concepts before an examination
- Help identify areas that require additional studying
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non-Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.
Portions of this syllabus have been drafted with the use of AI (ChatGPT), modified and reviewed by faculty (August 2026).
| Class Date | Assignments | Additional Reading |
|---|---|---|
Week #1 Aug. 25th, 2026
9:30am-10:30am Meet in Person Room: M112
| Review of Syllabus & Selection of Online Topic Presentation Groups | |
Week #2 Sept. 1st, 2026
| Legal & Ethical Issues in Nursing
| Read Chapters 7-Legal Responsibilities for Practice & Chapter 8 - Ethical Concerns in Nursing Practice Listen to audio-taped lectures |
Week #3 Sept 8th, 2026
| Resume Writing (Chap 4, pp. 132-153)
Legal worksheet due Thursday 9/10/2. (10 pts) Online quiz on legal due by 11:59 pm on Thursday 9/10/26 (10 pts)- (Quiz opens at 5 am) | Listen to three audio-taped lectures. Go Get Your Dream Job See link under modules- “additional reading assignments” |
Week #4 Sept 15th, 2026
|
Discussion Posts on Ethical Dilemmas #1 and #2 due Thursday 9/17/26-11:59pm (3 pts per post)
| Working With Others in a Leadership Role (Chapter 12) |
Week #5 Sept 22nd, 2026 9:30am-11:30am In Person: M112 |
| Visit writing tutor in Library |
| Week #6 Sept. 29th, 2026 | Deadline for cover letter & resume to be submitted online Fri 10/02/26 by 11:59 pm. (30 pts)
Discussion Posts on Ethical Dilemmas #3 due Friday 10/2/26-11:59 pm. (3 pts) | |
Sept. 29th through Oct. 20th, 2026 | On campus Interviews (20 pts + 5 pts for Reference List) | Facebook: Know the Policy Before Posting- article under modules |
| Week #7: October 6th, 2026 | Online Presentations (30 pts) Due at 11:59 pm 10/22/26 1. Valuing the Political Process (Chapter 14) 2. Applying Research and Technology to Nursing Practice (Chapter 15) 3. Hot Topics in Nursing Today (See article links under module tab) | Evidenced-based Nursing: Enhancing Nursing’s Presence- See link for article under modules for this week in Canvas.
|
Week #8: October 27th, 2026
| Online Presentations: (30 pts) Due at 11:59 pm 10/29/26
4. Credentials for Health Care Providers (Chap 3) 5. Making Professional Goals a Reality (Chap 4, pp. 108-117 and Chap 11 pp. 396-397 & Article on EI) 6. Facing the Challenges of Today’s Workforce (Chap 13) | Chapter 5- The World of Healthcare Employment p. 152-158 What makes a leader? Emotional Intelligence See link for article under module tab.
Chapter 11- Initiating the Leadership and Management Role p. 396-411 |
Week #9: Nov 3rd, 2026
| Job Readiness
Online quiz on presentation materials due by 11:59 pm on Thurs 11/05/26. (10 pts) (Quiz opens at 5 am) | Listen to audio-taped lecture |
| Week #10: Nov 10th, 2026: Final Quiz | Final Quiz- online- due at 11:59 pm on Tuesday 11/10/26 (10pts) (Quiz opens at 5 am) |
Course calendar subject to change. Students will be updated via Canvas announcement or message if change were to occur.
College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.