NURSING ETHICS 2
Ethics in the Nursing Profession
Ethics is defined as a system of moral principles that govern behaviors and relationships and is based on professional nursing values and beliefs (Trakalo, Horowitz, & McCulloch, 2015). Ethical standards of nursing include standards relating to the rights of patients and their loved ones (Trakalo et al., 2015). In addition, ethics also refers to the study and development of the ethical principles of an individual, a community, or a profession, such as nursing (Trakalo et al., 2015). A thorough understanding of ethics is critical to the delivery of professional patient-centered care; this includes an understanding of ethical principles, theories, and codes. Knowledge of ethical principles, …show more content…
In the nursing profession, conflict may arise between the nurse’s personal values and beliefs and those of another individual or organization, between ethical principles, or between individuals or groups to whom the nurse has an obligation to such as the patient, colleagues, employer, facility, society, and the nursing profession (Trakalo et al., 2015). Ethical dilemmas which nurses encounter on a daily basis vary widely. Some factors that may contribute to the development of ethical dilemmas in the field of nursing include rapidly evolving technology, conflicting cultural and societal values, conflicting obligations among healthcare professionals, financial constraints, and staffing shortages (Trakalo et al., 2015). Examples of ethical dilemmas include diverse topics such as end-of-life issues, allocation of health resources, staffing ratios, and patient privacy and autonomy. Ethical dilemmas range in complexity; for example an elderly patient may want to ambulate without appropriate supervision. The nurse desires to promote independence; however, this places the patient at risk for injury. Although minor, this situation places the nurse in an ethical dilemma. The conflicting issue of maintaining the patient’s independence and the patient’s safety creates an ethical dilemma for the nurse. Complex ethical dilemmas may arise when working in areas such as hospice or intensive care units. For example, a terminal patient may wish to end all life sustaining measures. Those involved in the patient’s care such as the nurse, physician(s), and family members may have conflicting views and may desire to continue with such measures. The nurse must consider the following question, is it ethical to prolong life when the patient’s quality of life is poor and there is no chance of recovery? In situations like this, it is important to
Ethics in the Nursing Profession
Ethics is defined as a system of moral principles that govern behaviors and relationships and is based on professional nursing values and beliefs (Trakalo, Horowitz, & McCulloch, 2015). Ethical standards of nursing include standards relating to the rights of patients and their loved ones (Trakalo et al., 2015). In addition, ethics also refers to the study and development of the ethical principles of an individual, a community, or a profession, such as nursing (Trakalo et al., 2015). A thorough understanding of ethics is critical to the delivery of professional patient-centered care; this includes an understanding of ethical principles, theories, and codes. Knowledge of ethical principles, …show more content…
In the nursing profession, conflict may arise between the nurse’s personal values and beliefs and those of another individual or organization, between ethical principles, or between individuals or groups to whom the nurse has an obligation to such as the patient, colleagues, employer, facility, society, and the nursing profession (Trakalo et al., 2015). Ethical dilemmas which nurses encounter on a daily basis vary widely. Some factors that may contribute to the development of ethical dilemmas in the field of nursing include rapidly evolving technology, conflicting cultural and societal values, conflicting obligations among healthcare professionals, financial constraints, and staffing shortages (Trakalo et al., 2015). Examples of ethical dilemmas include diverse topics such as end-of-life issues, allocation of health resources, staffing ratios, and patient privacy and autonomy. Ethical dilemmas range in complexity; for example an elderly patient may want to ambulate without appropriate supervision. The nurse desires to promote independence; however, this places the patient at risk for injury. Although minor, this situation places the nurse in an ethical dilemma. The conflicting issue of maintaining the patient’s independence and the patient’s safety creates an ethical dilemma for the nurse. Complex ethical dilemmas may arise when working in areas such as hospice or intensive care units. For example, a terminal patient may wish to end all life sustaining measures. Those involved in the patient’s care such as the nurse, physician(s), and family members may have conflicting views and may desire to continue with such measures. The nurse must consider the following question, is it ethical to prolong life when the patient’s quality of life is poor and there is no chance of recovery? In situations like this, it is important to