Course summary: background and objectives

Since the early 1980s, nursing ethics has evolved significantly and is now firmly established as a key area within applied ethics. The unique roles nurses hold in healthcare, along with their specialized knowledge and responsibilities, frequently place them at the forefront of ethically sensitive situations.

The aim of this course is to foster discussions on foundational and methodological approaches as well as on contemporary and educational issues in nursing ethics. Specifically, the course objectives are:

(1) To analyse key concepts central to nursing ethics, such as care, moral practice, the human person, vulnerability, dignity, and trust. This will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the philosophical and ethical foundations of nursing practices.

(2) To educate participants on a range of ethical issues that are central to contemporary debates in nursing ethics, including nursing ethics perspectives on end-of-life care and on care for older adults. These topics will be explored from both philosophical-ethical perspective and empirical-ethical perspectives.

(3) To introduce participants into methodological and educational aspects of nursing ethics.

(4) To facilitate exchanges among national and international experts regarding new developments in nursing ethics.

Format

This course adopts an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating philosophy, theology, nursing, as well as both normative and empirical ethics. Throughout the course, national and international experts will deliver presentations on a range of topics related to nursing ethics. Ample time will be allocated for in-depth discussions and interaction. The language of instruction will be English.

Overview

Format: Offline - on campus
Date: 2 - 5 December 2025
Location: Park Inn by Radisson Leuven Hotel, Leuven
Language: English


Registration will open Mid-May 2025.
Organisers: KU Leuven - Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law
Contact: Course Coördinator
Contact for questions about the registration or payment of the registration fee: Administration
External infowebsite

Certificate and accreditation: Participants will receive a certificate of attendance at the beginning of the course. Accreditation from the Dutch Stichting Kwaliteitsregister Geestelijk Verzorgers has been requested.

Download the booklet here.

Target Group

The course is designed for participants from diverse professional backgrounds, including nursing, medicine, philosophy and theology, psychology, social work, health care administration. It is open to health care and social workers, university and university college staff, members of ethics committees, and PhD students in these fields.

The reading materials will be distributed electronically prior to the start of the intensive course.

Venue

Park Inn by Radisson Leuven Hotel
Martelarenlaan 36
3010 Leuven, Belgium

Organisers

KU Leuven

KU Leuven is the oldest university of the Low Countries. Founded in 1425, KU Leuven has been a center of learning for six centuries. It grew into one of the largest and most renowned universities in Europe. As a highly ranked university (1st in the Reuters World Ranking of Most Innovative Universities in Europe, and 43rd in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025) with such a rich history, KU Leuven has its own dynamic international dimension.

At present, over 64.151 students study at KU Leuven, around 15.510 of whom are international students (over 140 different nationalities).

To this day, KU Leuven thrives as a bustling student town with a strong international allure, where various cultures meet and experiences are exchanged.

Participation fee

Registrations are open.

The early bird fee applies until 14 October 2025. Registrations will close on 15 November 2025.

More information about the registration

Practical information

Find out more about accreditation, accommodation, travel to and your stay in Leuven.

Practical information

Contact

Nursingethics@kuleuven.be