Good professional character, according to the Texas Board of Nursing Rule 213.27, paragraph (a), is said to be a pattern of behaviors which indicate that a person can “consistently conform his or her conduct to the requirements and generally accepted standards” with behaviors “indicating honesty, accountability, trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity” (Texas Board of Nursing, 2013). The characteristics mentioned in the nursing code define the behaviors and actions needed to succeed in the occupation. The same features are also applicable to the personal and academic realms of one’s life. The high standards set by the nursing board must be strictly adhered to and followed in order to continue practicing as a nurse. The attributes listed in the code define the expectations established by the Texas Board of Nursing and what it means to have good professional character. Traits consistent with good professional character include the ability to distinguish wrong from right and the competence for rationality, both in thought and action. Distinguishing between what is right and wrong has been debated for centuries but entails contrasting actions or behaviors that are just, fair and good with characteristically unjust, unfair or bad actions and behaviors. Rationality pertains to the faculty of acting and thinking in a way that conforms to the structure of logic and reason; the ability to base a sound conclusion on copious variables. The nature of nursing requires an individual to think and act in accordance with the laws of reason. Further traits characterizing good professional character include honoring promises and obligations as well as being responsible for one’s own behaviors. Honoring promises and obligations is anoth... ... middle of paper ... ... that are just and fair (Searles, 2013). Character can be improved by considering decisions made in the past and by utilizing rational thought for guidance in how to better act in related future circumstances. Integration into the academic and occupational realms would follow the development in the personal realm. However, academics and occupations serve to strengthen the skills of reasoning by providing the necessary societal backdrop for such cognitive training. Utilizing rational thought and logic in various situations and scenarios allows for maturation of one’s nursing acumen. Developed and improved as a result of education and experience, the capacity for rational thought is vital in a person with good professional character. An individual acting irrationally does not portray the fundamentals of a person described as one with good professional character.
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.
As a nurse it is our primary job to protect and promote the well being of patients throughout the health care industry. Each nurse has the responsibility to practice faithfully and to uphold all ethical values. These values are outlined and regulated by two very important entities, The Nursing Practice Acts and the Texas Board of Nursing. Nursing Practice Acts, are specific laws in each state that define a nurse’s scope of practice. These acts were first established in 1909 with the purpose of protecting public health, safety, and welfare. Their purpose is to provide rules and regulations that will protect society from unsafe and unqualified nurses. Nursing professionalism is rooted in the ethics and ...
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
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.
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.
Integrity is the “consistent regard for the highest standards of behavior and the refusal to violate personal and professional code.”(Professionalism initiative, 2012) Being held accountable for your actions and acting in the best interest for your patient is a vital professional nursing role. Possessing integrity is important; “studies show nurses top the list of the most trusted professionals…and ranked highest for honesty and ethics” (Pophal, 2013). Being considered among the most trusted professions is not a difficult task. It is accomplished by nurses who consistently follow this moral code and take responsibility for their achievements and mistakes.
Berman, A. J and Burke, K. (2000), looked at nursing ethics as an integral part of nursing, that has t has to do with moral principles and values that guide nurses to make decisions and choices that lead to quality and effective client care. In providing nursing care, nurses find themselves in situations where sensitive decisions are made about the best way to treat illness and solve healthcare problems. Values influence decisions and actions and value clarification promote quality decisions by fostering awareness,
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.
The main points of provision five of the ANA code of ethics are as follows: section 5.1, which is moral self-respect, suggests that nurses must care for themselves as much as they care for their patients. Nurses must do their best to maintain professional respect to themselves in regards of their competence and moral character. Section 5.2, which is professional growth and maintenance of competence, suggests that nurses must continue to self and peer evaluate themselves throughout their careers. Nurses must continue to learn current, up to date nursing practices through self, peer, and higher education. Section 5.3, which is wholeness of character, suggests that nurses must develop and take into consideration their own moral perspectives when practicing in their careers. Nurses are encouraged to express their moral viewpoint when it is helpful to the recovery of their patients, but must never express moral beliefs based on social stigmas that could negatively affect patient outcomes.
Nursing is a varied career that offers opportunities to many. It offers a range of facilities and options for all. Nursing is an ethical centered profession that requires its members to give of themselves. Each individual must maintain a professional atmosphere while upholding his or her personal integrity. Each nurse brings his or her own unique values and beliefs to their work and care. A strong conviction toward those ideals is essential in the profession. Nurses are faced with differing views, ideas, and expectations every day and must maintain neutrality for the betterment of their patients. They care for those experiencing illness, loss, and health and have to nurture accordingly. Nursing is not about the skill set or knowledge we have but about those we help in the process. Nursing goes beyond a career; it is a
Ethics and integrity are essential parts of the nursing profession since they provide nurses with the capacity for weighing in on the impacts that their actions may have on the profession (Guido, 2014). However, maintaining high levels of ethics and integrity may create significant challenges for nurses some of which impact on their position as healthcare providers. One of the key challenges that nurses experience as part of their profession is increased cases of ethical dilemmas some of which impact on their abilities to make decisions based on the interests of their patients. The nursing code of ethics indicates the need for nurses to ensure that the decisions or actions they take reflect on the interests
Working in health care is an important job. People put their trust in us to do our very best to provide them with the absolute best care. Being entrusted with such responsibility requires nurses to conduct themselves both professionally and ethically. Nurses must adhere to the professional values of human dignity, integrity, autonomy, altruism, and social justice. It is these five values that guide us in our practice and as nurses we must promote and emulate these values. They play an important role in the quality of treatment and success of an organization and help us determine right from wrong.
In a health care profession, people look up to those providing care and need to establish a trusting relationship with them. Since nurses are at the forefront of care in a hospital, it is crucial for nurses to show and have integrity in the hospital setting. As nurses, we are the person that is in constant interaction with the patient and the last line before administering or doing any care to the patient. Nurses develop integrity in many ways, through given situations and the need to stand up for what is right for the patient. The core value of integrity can be used in the clinical setting now as sophomore students and throughout our time as a nurse. The core concept of integrity is holding true to what is right for the patient and providing the most beneficial care to the patient.
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
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