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Law for Nurses and Midwives, 10th Edition

Authors :
Patricia J Staunton & Mary Chiarella
Date of Publication: 07/2024
Comprehensive, accessible and practical legal advice for students and practitionersFirst published in 1985, Law for Nurses and Midwives continues to provide the most comprehensive and practical nursing text available to assist nurses and midwives to ...view more

Comprehensive, accessible and practical legal advice for students and practitioners

First published in 1985, Law for Nurses and Midwives continues to provide the most comprehensive and practical nursing text available to assist nurses and midwives to practise professionally and safely.

The book is designed to support the reader to apply relevant legal, ethical and regulatory principles to their day-to-day clinical practice. For example, when students are starting a surgical placement, they can find the latest practical legal advice on consent; when they are on a medical placement, they can refer to the chapter on medications.

This tenth edition is fully updated and incorporates legislative changes of all relevant practice areas in all states and territories in Australia. Ideal for students undertaking a diploma, bachelor’s or postgraduate degree, it will remain relevant throughout their careers as an invaluable reference guide that enhances the provision of safe, quality healthcare in Australia.

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Comprehensive, accessible and practical legal advice for students and practitioners

First published in 1985, Law for Nurses and Midwives continues to provide the most comprehensive and practical nursing text available to assist nurses and midwives to practise professionally and safely.

The book is designed to support the reader to apply relevant legal, ethical and regulatory principles to their day-to-day clinical practice. For example, when students are starting a surgical placement, they can find the latest practical legal advice on consent; when they are on a medical placement, they can refer to the chapter on medications.

This tenth edition is fully updated and incorporates legislative changes of all relevant practice areas in all states and territories in Australia. Ideal for students undertaking a diploma, bachelor’s or postgraduate degree, it will remain relevant throughout their careers as an invaluable reference guide that enhances the provision of safe, quality healthcare in Australia.


Key Features
  • Comprehensive and fully updated guide to the laws, codes and regulations that govern nursing and midwifery practice
  • Includes relevant case law and hypothetical examples — shows how legal principles directly relate to daily clinical practice

  • Legal, ethical and regulatory concepts introduced in an engaging way — easy to read and understand

  • Includes practical considerations of ethical decision-making

  • Logical sequencing and flow of information, with end-of-chapter review questions and key points boxes to support learning

  • Cases and case examples throughout demonstrate concepts and application to practice


New to this edition


  • Covers hot topics including voluntary assisted dying, changes to organ and tissue transplantation and donation, and updated discussion on codes of ethics and codes of conduct

  • Provides the most comprehensive guide to mental health legislation of any text available for undergraduate and postgraduate nurses and midwives in Australia

  • Instructor and student ancillaries including multiple-choice questions and answer guidance for chapter questions

  • Content relevant to enrolled nurses


Instructor resources on Evolve:


  • Case studies

  • Model answers to end-of-chapter review questions


Student and Instructor resources on Evolve:


  • Multiple-choice questions


Author Information
By Patricia J Staunton, AM, RN, CM, LLB, MCrim, Barrister-at-Law of the Inner Temple, London, United Kingdom and Mary Chiarella, AM, RN, RM, LLB (Hons), PhD (UNSW), FACN, FRSM, Professor Emerita, Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia