Ethical Dilemma in Nursing
Regina Johnson
Community College of Philadelphia
Ethical Dilemma in Nursing An excerpt from Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm Ravaged Hospital by Sheri Fink, depicts the events that occur during Hurricane Katrina as it unfolded for the individuals at Memorial Hospital. The authors write about the experiences of a group of health care professionals from both Memorial and Life Care, their patients, and patients’ family during hurricane Katrina.
Many nursing professionals may have conflicting obligation when it comes to reporting to work during a disaster, however, it is the moral and ethical understanding that as a nurse they have a duty to their patient above themselves that compels them …show more content…
The Staff of Life Care had an Ethical responsibility and the duty to speak up for their patients’ rights regardless of the conflict it may have cause them with colleagues or opposing authorities. Also, Provision four of the Code of Ethics for Nurses states that it is in the authority of the nurse to delegate tasks to promote optimum care for their patients (Brown 2015). This did not occur with these patients. Life Care staff passively allowed Memorial to make decision regarding the care of patient they were ultimately responsible for. The instead of being assertive and advocating they relinquished their power and …show more content…
There is a quote that says “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” (unknown). Regardless of the circumstances, Memorial and the staff of Life Care had an obligation to these patients as healthcare personnel. Although they were operating under extreme conditions, low on supplies, sustenance, and mental and physical strength, it was not a time to drop the ball. Had they followed the Nursing code of ethics they could had protected and advocated for the nine residents that they failed. More lives could have been saved, and families could have remained whole. References
Winland-Brown, J., Lachman, V. D., & Swanson, E. O. (2015, July). The New "Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (2015) Practical Clinical Application, Part I. Medsurg Nursing, 24(4), 268-271.
Chaffee, M. W., MS, RN, CNAA, FAAN. (2006). Making the Decision to Report to Work in a Disaster: Nurses may have conflicting obligations. American Journal Nurses. Retrieved October 26, 2017, from http://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/Fulltext/2006/09000
Fink, S. (2013). Five days at Memorial: Life and death in a storm-ravaged hospital (First edition.). New York: Crown Publishers.
Kiefer John J., & Montjoy, R. (2006). Incrementalism before the Storm: Network Performance for the Evacuation of New Orleans. Public Administration Review, 66, 122-130. Retrieved from
Regina Johnson
Community College of Philadelphia
Ethical Dilemma in Nursing An excerpt from Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm Ravaged Hospital by Sheri Fink, depicts the events that occur during Hurricane Katrina as it unfolded for the individuals at Memorial Hospital. The authors write about the experiences of a group of health care professionals from both Memorial and Life Care, their patients, and patients’ family during hurricane Katrina.
Many nursing professionals may have conflicting obligation when it comes to reporting to work during a disaster, however, it is the moral and ethical understanding that as a nurse they have a duty to their patient above themselves that compels them …show more content…
The Staff of Life Care had an Ethical responsibility and the duty to speak up for their patients’ rights regardless of the conflict it may have cause them with colleagues or opposing authorities. Also, Provision four of the Code of Ethics for Nurses states that it is in the authority of the nurse to delegate tasks to promote optimum care for their patients (Brown 2015). This did not occur with these patients. Life Care staff passively allowed Memorial to make decision regarding the care of patient they were ultimately responsible for. The instead of being assertive and advocating they relinquished their power and …show more content…
There is a quote that says “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” (unknown). Regardless of the circumstances, Memorial and the staff of Life Care had an obligation to these patients as healthcare personnel. Although they were operating under extreme conditions, low on supplies, sustenance, and mental and physical strength, it was not a time to drop the ball. Had they followed the Nursing code of ethics they could had protected and advocated for the nine residents that they failed. More lives could have been saved, and families could have remained whole. References
Winland-Brown, J., Lachman, V. D., & Swanson, E. O. (2015, July). The New "Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (2015) Practical Clinical Application, Part I. Medsurg Nursing, 24(4), 268-271.
Chaffee, M. W., MS, RN, CNAA, FAAN. (2006). Making the Decision to Report to Work in a Disaster: Nurses may have conflicting obligations. American Journal Nurses. Retrieved October 26, 2017, from http://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/Fulltext/2006/09000
Fink, S. (2013). Five days at Memorial: Life and death in a storm-ravaged hospital (First edition.). New York: Crown Publishers.
Kiefer John J., & Montjoy, R. (2006). Incrementalism before the Storm: Network Performance for the Evacuation of New Orleans. Public Administration Review, 66, 122-130. Retrieved from