1) Briefly, in a sentence or two, give the usual or common description of your concept and cite 1 or
2 references.
The common description of beneficence is to do “good” onto other (Kissinger, 2009). Autonomy generally means allowing someone to make his or her own independent decision (Varelius, 2006).
In the nursing world, we typically promote beneficence by allowing people to be autonomous.
2) What are some underlying assumptions of your concept?
The traditional portrayal of the sweet, doting nurse in a crisp, white uniform illustrates a quintessential view of beneficence in nursing. The underlying belief is that the nurse operates from a place of endless access to supplies, training, time, and energy. The reality is that nurses work in
imperfect …show more content…
This minimizes the patient’s power to choose or make decisions. Coggon and
Miola (2011) argues that “if we are committed to respecting individual autonomy even when we do not endorse a person’s particular values, we will respect a patient’s suicidal refusal of a blood transfusion if we know it accords with what she…really wants.” Therefore, if autonomy is for the
“good” of the patient then patients, if mentally capable, should have the power to choose regardless of the consequences and outcome.
4) What accepted hierarchy, power or authority is implied by your concept?
Autonomy and beneficence may work in concert together, just as often as they can produce a grey area when it comes to patient wellbeing. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs illustrates this concept with the struggle between “low esteem” and “high esteem.” Using the above example, patients may become stuck, fighting between the two. A patient can have a deflated ego after surgery, believing they can never fully recover, and never actualize their “low esteem.” A nurse, acting with beneficence, helps patients recover to the best of their abilities and help achieve “high esteem” through “The idea of confidence in ability, the mastery of something,
2 references.
The common description of beneficence is to do “good” onto other (Kissinger, 2009). Autonomy generally means allowing someone to make his or her own independent decision (Varelius, 2006).
In the nursing world, we typically promote beneficence by allowing people to be autonomous.
2) What are some underlying assumptions of your concept?
The traditional portrayal of the sweet, doting nurse in a crisp, white uniform illustrates a quintessential view of beneficence in nursing. The underlying belief is that the nurse operates from a place of endless access to supplies, training, time, and energy. The reality is that nurses work in
imperfect …show more content…
This minimizes the patient’s power to choose or make decisions. Coggon and
Miola (2011) argues that “if we are committed to respecting individual autonomy even when we do not endorse a person’s particular values, we will respect a patient’s suicidal refusal of a blood transfusion if we know it accords with what she…really wants.” Therefore, if autonomy is for the
“good” of the patient then patients, if mentally capable, should have the power to choose regardless of the consequences and outcome.
4) What accepted hierarchy, power or authority is implied by your concept?
Autonomy and beneficence may work in concert together, just as often as they can produce a grey area when it comes to patient wellbeing. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs illustrates this concept with the struggle between “low esteem” and “high esteem.” Using the above example, patients may become stuck, fighting between the two. A patient can have a deflated ego after surgery, believing they can never fully recover, and never actualize their “low esteem.” A nurse, acting with beneficence, helps patients recover to the best of their abilities and help achieve “high esteem” through “The idea of confidence in ability, the mastery of something,