Practicing nurses encounter various ethical questions and dilemmas in their everyday work life. The world is so diverse, nurses come in contact with people from different cultures and beliefs. Studying ethics teaches nurses compassionate nursing, patient advocacy and why it is important. It also teaches nurses that even though the understandings of ethics differ from person to person because of their culture, communities and ethnic/religious backgrounds; it is imperative to set a side one’s own beliefs to ensure quality health care.
What a person see, hears, or feels in their life will influence one’s understanding of ethics. What is true for one will not be true for all, because of how people make decisions. For example, nurses can face
…show more content…
Virtue ethics, Deontology and Utilitarianism are some of the ethical approaches studied by healthcare workers. Virtue ethics teaches one that virtuous choices must come naturally. Knowing what is morally right and wrong must be a learned habit. Deontology guided by philosopher Immanuel Kant focuses on ethical obligation and the duties that reasonable people are obligated to follow, regardless of situation. Lastly, utilitarianism which philosopher John Stuart Mill helps nurses understand their actions and outcomes, while posing the question does the ends justify the means. These ethical approaches are important to healthcare because they provide nurses with ethical guidelines to become a morally good nurse. For example, a nurse who studied virtue ethics will understand that it is morally wrong for them to make a medical error and not report it to the patient or their employers. Furthermore, studying Utilitarianism teaches healthcare workers to maximize happiness. In a massive car accident a medical responder would use the resources available to provide care to the greatest number of people, rather than exhausting resources on one individual who is unlikely to …show more content…
Again, nurses treat patients from diverse communities, cultures and religions. A patient advocate would create a trusting relationship, where it is possible to learn about the beliefs of the patient to protect their autonomy. For example, a Jehovah Witness needs a blood transfusion, a patient advocate would know they do not belief in blood transfusion and suggest alternative treatment that agrees with their patient’s autonomy. Another example of patient advocacy is reporting suspected abuse; when a child comes in with bruises in a form of hand prints. Being a patient advocate means protecting the patient’s wellbeing, whether it is there autonomy or from physical harm. It allows patients to gain trust in the healthcare system by giving them the sense that their wants and needs are heard and respected. It also provides patients with respect and dignity, throughout healthcare visit. Nurses that advocate for their patients are practicing compassionate
During week 4, we became familiar with the application of ethics in the nursing practice settings. We learned about ethical theories and principles, which are crucial when practicing in any clinical settings during ethical decision-making and while facing one or multiple ethical dilemmas. Also, we were introduced to the MORAL model used in ethical decision – making progress. The MORAL model is the easiest model to use in the everyday clinical practice, for instance at bedside nursing. This model can be applyed in any clinical settings and its acronyms assist
A person 's ethical beliefs are shaped by their religion, culture, family values, and life experiences. It is imperative for nurse leaders to go beyond examining their own ethical and moral beliefs. They must educate themselves on concepts, theories, and frameworks to effectively deal with ethical dilemmas, questions of morality, and legal issues. This is important not only for their own well-being but also because they are role models for all staff within their organization.
The classical term for the word ethics is, moral philosophies that rule an individual’s or group behavior or action. The American Nurses Association used ethics to write the Code of Ethics for Nurses with these values and visions in mind: “(1) As a statement of the ethical obligations and duties of every person who chooses to enter the profession of nursing. (2) To act as the nonnegotiable standard of ethics. (3) To serve as an expression of the understanding on nursing’s commitment to society.” (Nurses Code of Ethics, 2015). With our ever-changing society and healthcare, also comes changes to the American Nurses Association’s
In the medical profession, doctors and nurses run into ethical dilemmas every day whether it be a mother who wants to abort her baby or a patient who has decided they want to stop cancer treatment. It is important for the nurse to know where they stand with their own moral code, but to make sure they are not being biased when educating the patient. Nurses are patient advocates, it is in the job description, so although the nurse may not agree with the patient on their decisions, the nurse to needs to advocate for the patient regardless.
Ethics has been a popular topic in nursing for a long time. Nurses are expected to demonstrate ethical decision-making as well as professionalism. I believe that in order to accomplish this, they need to use the ANA Code of Ethics as framework for their decision-making. It is also imperative for nurses to have a strong understanding of ethics, because they will be faced with many difficult ethical decisions that do not always have a straightforward solution.
Ethics is a branch of philosophy dealing with what is morally right or wrong (Merriam-Webster, 2015). Nurses practice patient care without self-interest, thus, attempting to make decisions that are right for the patient. This writer’s goal is to be a patient advocate and make decisions based on nursing ethics and the patient’s right to choose.
This paper will focus on two BNUR leaner outcomes (University of Calgary, 2013) relevant to my learned understanding of nurses as ethical decision makers. I will outline the ways that I have seen ethics used and not used in practice, what I learned about ethics and its use in my theory courses and throughout my practicums, and I will reflect on how this understanding will translate into my professional practice moving forward.
Davis J. Anne Diane Marsha and Aroskar A. Mila (2010). Ethical Dilemmas and Nursing Practice. Pearson
Deontology is an ethical theory concerned with duties and rights. The founder of deontological ethics was a German philosopher named Immanuel Kant. Kant’s deontological perspective implies people are sensitive to moral duties that require or prohibit certain behaviors, irrespective of the consequences (Tanner, Medin, & Iliev, 2008). The main focus of deontology is duty: deontology is derived from the Greek word deon, meaning duty. A duty is morally mandated action, for instance, the duty never to lie and always to keep your word. Based on Kant, even when individuals do not want to act on duty they are ethically obligated to do so (Rich, 2008).
The word ethics is derived from the Greek word ethos, which means character (1). Being moral always fills a nurse with morals respects, guidelines of good judgment and expert lead. There are three essential obligations for nurses, among many other which are the duty of autonomy, confidentiality, and obligation of care to all patients (2). There are professional duties with becoming distinctly legitimate obligations if any law and policies are ruptured in between professional practice. In 2001, a review found that there was an apparent requirement for more guidance on moral predicaments inside the medical professionals, subsequent to expanding legal cases and open request (3). Medical attendants ought to withstand to regulatory law and statutory law while managing the nursing practice.
They have found that even today, RN’s experience ethical issues. The problem at hand is that the education of ethics and human rights is not being properly taught to undergraduate or postgraduate institutions (Monaliza 1). Therefore, we as nurses to not need further teaching, we need better teaching while we are in school in order to properly carry out the ANA code of Ethics practice. If we are taught in a more thorough way of to deal with ethical issues, it will only make us as nurses that much better at our
In conclusion, there are numerous legal and ethical issues apparent in the nursing practice. Nurses should study and be as informed as they can with ethics and legality within their field in order to ensure no mistakes occur. Ethical issues vary based on patient’s views, religion, and environment. Nurses are influenced by these same views, but most of the time they are not the same as the patients. As a nurse we must learn to put the care of our patients and their beliefs, rights, and wishes before our own personal
In order for nurses to practice ethically they must understand the meaning behind each professional value. The first value is human dignity. With each patient we encounter we must show them respect as individuals. It does not matter what the medical condition is, race, ethnicity, culture, religion or gender of the individual. The dignity of a person must be protected. As nurses we must respect the uniqueness of each individual we care for, as this is a fundamental right of all humans. A person with dignity feels a sense of self-worth and as nurses we must do our best to help our patients maintain that feeling of worthiness.
The four fundamental nursing responsibilities of promoting health, preventing illness, optimizing health and alleviating the ill are represented in the code of ethics. (Arnold & Boggs, 2016) One can say that the code of ethics are rules that a nurse needs to follow in order to effectively communicate and protect the patients. The American Nurse Association provided the code of ethics to guide nurses to ensure that patient’s care, safety, rights and health are well cared for and well managed. Models like Utilitarian, deontological, and the human rights-based all contribute in answering dilemmas that can arise with a patient. Thus, explaining what some of the code of ethics are, and how the code of ethics influence our responsibilities as a nurse will impact the overall care of the
Ethics is defined as moral principles that govern a persons or a group’s behavior, ethical principles apply to both personal and professional relationships (Webster, 2015). The field of nursing is a profession that has been highly regarded and respected in society. Most nurses enter the profession in order to utilize their clinical skills to help others in their time of need. Those in failing health rely on nurses to care for them in their most vulnerable states, and expect a level of compassion and humanity while receiving care. Nurses have an ethical responsibility to their patients, clients, and their community. Compassion, empathy, and integrity are staple characteristics that nurses possess that allow them to successfully perform their