According to Butts & Rich (2016), “Ethics is a branch of philosophy used to study ideal human behavior and ideal ways of being” (p. 4). Ethics is concerned with distinguishing between good and evil, and between right and wrong human actions.
Some of sensitive ethical issues nurses are faced with today are breaking of bad news in a hospital setting, particularly to patients in terminal conditions; oppression and power tussle between nurses and doctors (nurses feel that they are looked down by doctors who feel that they are more experienced than nurses); frustration at inability to help patients due to delayed response from doctors , powerlessness (e.g., In Chinese culture, family’s decision about patient’s care supersedes those of the patient. As a result, nurses are powerless because patient’s rights should be maintained); lack of honesty and ethical courage by changing patients’ record as requested by the physician in order to cover up mistakes/ medical errors (Yeh, Wu & Che, 2010, p. 479-480). 2. What are morals? How are morals determined to be good or bad? According to Butts & Rich (2016), “Morals are specific beliefs, behaviors, and ways of being derived from doing ethics” (p. 4). Morals are determined to be good or bad through systemic ethical analysis. Bad morals are person’s behavior that is unacceptable to the society, religion, culture or professional ethical standards and principles. Some of the examples of bad morals which can be referred as immoral are stealing, lying, and murder (Butts & Rich, p.4). 3. What are values? Can a person’s values change over time? Is there a belief or value that you had when you were younger that you no longer have today? Values are a person’s judgment of what is good or important in life (Butts & Rich, 2016, p. 8). A person’s values can change over time. When I was very young, about 7 years old, I had a belief that eating a balanced diet is all I need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. As I grew up, I realized that nutritious meal, fruits, vegetables plus exercise help to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 4. What is moral reasoning? How does it pertain to the profession of nursing? Give an example of your own personal experience with moral reasoning in the clinical area. According to Butts & Rich (2016), “Moral reasoning pertains to reasoning focused on moral or ethical issues” (p. …show more content…
9). Moral reasoning is a process of determining right or wrong in a given situation. Moral reasoning for nurses occur during relationship with patients and between nurses and coworkers. During one of my clinical days, a 90 year old male weak patient who lacks the appropriate level of home care services was about to be discharged later in the evening. I asked the RN I was working with the reason for discharge because it could endanger the patient’s safety and wellbeing. I was informed that the patient’s insurance has expired and that the family members have sold all their assets to pay for his hospital bills. In addition, the family members requested for discharge due to lack of funds for hospital bills.
5. Compare Plato’s famous allegory of the cave to critical thinking in nursing. What are some examples of when you felt that you were “chained in the cave?” What were the circumstances? What were the outcomes? What made a difference in your thinking? Last semester, we learnt about how to draw patients’ blood for lab values, suctioning of tracheostomy, passing medications and inserting/removing catheter. I was skeptical about these skills reason being what if I hurt a patient or break sterile field procedure. I would consider myself at moment as being chained in a cave. However, my clinical instructor always encourage us to practice all the skills we are trained for because the more I practice, the more I perfect in the skill. The first day I inserted catheter, I realized that it was not difficult. I was so excited to share my experience with other students during post conference. My thought about the problems (lack of skill, and competence) that will result when I remain