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VNUR30530

Academic Year 2025/2026

Ethics Legislation & Critical Thinking (VNUR30530)

Subject:
Veterinary Nursing
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Veterinary Medicine
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Ms Andrea Dineen
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module covers a range of topics relevant to veterinary nursing practice:
ethics and legislation as applicable to veterinary settings;
developing awareness of the environmental impacts of veterinary practice and sustainability considerations
developing awareness of moral stress, burnout, compassion fatigue and the available support structures applicable to veterinary professionals;
review of the regulation and representation of the veterinary professions;
review and application of professional codes of conduct for veterinary nursing and veterinary professionals;
basic research methodology including introductions to the creation of testable hypotheses (Ha and Ho) and intro to statistics commonly used in scientific research studies;
critical thinking in terms of developing the following i) an understanding of research methodologies, ii) an ability to analyse ethical issues arising in veterinary practice and iii) ability to create nursing care plans.

***Please check and be aware if this module is a prerequisite (Academic Regulation 3.27(a)) for any future modules.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module , students will be able to:

Distinguish between 'regulatory' and 'representative' bodies' roles as applicable for the veterinary professions in Ireland
Identify characteristics of various ethical viewpoints/ theories/principles in a veterinary/medical context
Apply knowledge of the main ethical, legal, & professional 'code/s of conduct' considerations used in veterinary (and medical) ethical decision-making
Recognise and describe environmental concerns and discuss possible sustainable practices/solutions applicable in veterinary settings.
Define common research terms
Recognise and describe different types of research study designs/methods
Describe the nursing process and employ appropriate nursing models as applicable to a patient in a veterinary setting.
Design a nursing care plan applicable for a patient in a veterinary clinical scenario

Indicative Module Content:

Ethics, code of professional conduct, legislation and critical thinking ( environmental sustainability, research skills and nursing care planning) as applicable to Veterinary Nursing.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Tutorial

14
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Total

104

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Blended delivery (online and face-to-face) of lectures, tutorials, discussion groups.
There will be an emphasis in tutorials/discussions on Case/problem-based learning. Students will use reflection to consider ethical dilemmas. Task-based learning, writing, and/or quizzes may be employed to develop critical thinking skills.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

An understanding & background knowledge of the veterinary professions and/or veterinary practice is strongly recommended.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Ethics&Legislation in Vet Prac (VNUR30240)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Two hour end-of-term written exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
70
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Blend of mini-quizzes & assignments, centred on tutorial work. Students will complete tasks in 1) framing & discussing veterinary ethical dilemmas & 2) nursing care planning. Week 5, Week 8, Week 11 Graded No
30
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Class feedback may be through different approaches such as oral, audio, and/or written/annotated feedback, either in-class, in meetings, through the VLE, by email, using rubrics, etc. Online automated feedback may be facilitated through online MCQs/quizzes and/or other automated/ online feedback approaches, etc.

Name Role
Dr Sandra Aungier Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Gerald Barry Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Hannah Callaghan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Deirdre Campion Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Andrea Dineen Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Sandra Nicholson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Susan Rackard Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Andrea Regan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Mon 11:00 - 12:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 11:00 - 12:50
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