Nursing is a career often based off of being critical thinkers, having great communication skills, and showing empathy through their care. One important characteristic that is frequently overlooked, although it is one of the most important components of being a nurse, is professionalism. So many different aspects fall under the definition of professionalism when it comes to upholding the duties of a nurse. These qualities can range from just looking the part, to the way a nurse communicates with their patients and those involved in the patient’s care. With all things considered, I will explain just how important professionalism is on the basis of ethics, professional behaviors, how nurses serve a global community, and diversity. Ethics are based on one’s character and understanding as to what is right or wrong. Although most people have the general understanding to everyday ethics, it is important for a nurse to be aware of the formal study of ethical issues that appear throughout the profession. In fact, ethics are such a …show more content…
Professionalism is something that every nurse should base their days off of from the moment they get ready for work, through the care plans of each and every patient. A nurse is judged on their behaviors by everyone they come in contact with, so it is important to keep in mind what is being said and done. By following the “Nursing Code of Ethics”, nurses will demonstrate professionalism effortlessly in everything they do. Taking on a health care profession benefits in so many ways as they can take their career and serve globally anywhere and anytime. Keeping in mind the diversity that plays a role, being professional ensures that everyone can receive the proper care no matter their race, culture, or religion. There are so many things that play a role in being a nurse, but professionalism should be a priority for
A code of ethics provides a standard by which nurses conduct themselves and their practice, observing ethical obligations of the profession and providing quality care. To achieve its purpose, a code of ethics must be understood, internalized, and used by nurses in all aspects of their work” (Aliakvari, 2015, p. 494).
Professionalism in the workplace in many professions can be simplified into general categories such as neat appearance, interaction with clients, punctuality, general subject knowledge, and likability. In nursing, professionalism encompasses a much more broad and inclusive set of criteria than any other profession. Nurses specifically are held to a higher standard in nearly every part of their job. Nurses are not only expected to uphold what it seen as professional in the aforementioned categories, but they are also expected to promote health, wellbeing, and advocate for patients, but also continually provide the highest standard of care, demonstrate exemplary subject and procedural knowledge, and abide by the Code of ethics set forth by the American Nurses Association. This Code of Ethics includes the complex moral and ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, fidelity, honesty, and integrity.
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
The ethical professional nurse is a nurse who bases their care off of moral values. This not only involves inherently knowing the difference between right and wrong, but also making sure to follow through with what they know is right. The nurse should protect patient privacy and demonstrate
The Code of Ethics for Nurses was created to be a guide for nurses to perform their duties in a way that is abiding with the ethical responsibilities of the nursing profession and quality in nursing care. The Code of Ethics has excellent guidelines for how nurses should behave, however; these parameters are not specific. They do not identify what is right and wrong, leaving nurses having to ultimately make that decision. Ethics in nursing involves individual interpretation based on personal morals and values. Nursing professionals have the ethical accountability to be altruistic, meaning a nurse who cares for patients without self-interest. This results in a nurse functioning as a patient advocate, making decisions that are in the best interest of the patient and practicing sound nursing ethics.
As a nurse, we serve a society which is very culturally diverse. We provide care to many individuals whom have their own unique set of ethics, values, morals, and beliefs by which may be very different from our own. Because of our professional role, we must use lifelong learning as a tool to broaden our views, increase our knowledge, and understand the influences which affect it. To make this possible, we have to continually educate ourselves about the nursing laws, professional standards, and code of ethics all of which we are committed to.
With that said, the nursing profession has a unique code of ethics, that though at times challenging, it is each nurses duty to uphold. Specific provisions can guide a preceptor in navigating and facilitating a conversation that can help a student nurse to understand the journey that lies ahead. More importantly, the student must understand how the profession defines their client, or in nursing, the patient. The ANA Code of Ethics defines the term patient by the derivative meaning, “the one who suffers” (ANA, 2001). This is fundamental for the student to understand because no amount of money or job security can retain a nurse when faced the trials, tribulations, perseverance, or jubilation that accompanies caring for “the one who suffers”.
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
Personal values are what nurses hold significant and true for themselves, while professional ethics involve principles that have universal applications and standards of conduct that apply in all situations. Nurses must remember these core values and follow them to the best of their ability. During the good and bad times, they need to remember why they decided to become a nurse and their vision as to what they want to achieve. They must always remember to put the care of others first and to treat everyone equally. A person who chooses nursing as a profession makes a choice that will affect them for a lifetime. Nurses thus avoid allowing personal judgments to cloud their decisions regarding client care. They are honest and fair with clients and act in their best interest while showing utmost respect for them. New graduates entering the workforce also need to be prepared to engage in the complex critical thinking skills and develop sufficient socialization skills to deal with the enormous growth in technology and responsibilities expected in the
Many people in our community think being a registered nurse simply means having the degree, working in a hospital and getting paid. Being a registered nurse implies all of these plus many other duties and responsibilities for taking good care of patients and their families as well as a good professional relationship with other health care personnel. In order to assess the professional role of a registered nurse in today’s health care system, one can ask questions from the nurse or the people they work with, or read some professional writings about what they do either our communities and hospitals.
The purpose of this paper is to discuss nursing ethics. The paper will discuss: the history of ethics, definition, doctor/nurse being education about ethics in college, code of ethics, futile care and the confusion with DNR orders. Ethics needs to be recognized on all levels of healthcare such as doctors, nurses, patients and families. CINAHAL and PubMed search engines were utilized for . Many articles were presented with the initial search, expansion on keywords assisted in generating more specific articles.
“Ethics is a systematic study of principles of right and wrong conduct” (Taylor, Lillis, Lynn, & LeMone, 2015, p. 96). The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics has nine provisions to it. All nine are important to the nursing field in their own way. There are two provisions that I find most important in helping my career as a nurse. Provision one, The nurse, in all professional relationships, practices with compassion and respect of the inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every individual, unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status, personal, attributes, or the nature of health problems. Secondly provision two, the nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient whether an individual, family, group, or community.
In conclusion, professionalism in nursing is multifaceted. Some aspects of professionalism are more important than others in regards to being a better practitioner while others have impacts on the nursing team as a whole. Regardless of the hierarchy of what makes a nurse professional, all nurses must act within their scope of practice. Also, being punctual and knowing personal limits as a skillful practitioner will ensure safety and reduce medical errors. Overall, nurses are renowned for their professionalism and respected and trusted by the
The American Nurses Association created guidelines for the profession including, a set clear rules to be followed by individuals within the profession, Code of Ethics for Nurses. Written in 1893, by Lystra Gretter, and adopted by the ANA in 1926, The Code of Ethics for Nurses details the role metaethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics have within the field (ANA, 2015). Moral obligation for an individual differs within professions than it does within an individual’s personal life, so the code of ethics was written to establish rules within the profession. The moral obligation to provide quality care include the fundamental principles of respect for persons, integrity, autonomy, advocacy, accountability, beneficence, and non-maleficence. The document itself contains nine provisions with subtext, all of which cannot be addressed within this paper however, core principals related to the ethical responsibilities nurses have will be
Ethics asses the values, morals, and principles of nurses. Legal codes or laws are rules established by our government. It’s important that nurses have a clear and comprehensive understanding of ethical and legal codes within their career. The understanding of these codes is essential for nurses to safely practice and to protect their patients. Nurses must abide by these principles or face the consequences of legal action. These principles include autonomy, utilitarianism, confidentiality, and many others. Autonomy is the agreement to respect ones right to determine a course of action, while utilitarianism is what is best for most people as defined in American Nurses Association. In order to give you a