Code Of Nursing Ethics Paper
According to the code of ethics for Nurses, written by the American Nurses Association (ANA), as cited by Lachman(2001), care is central to nursing practice. All professional nurses have a responsibility to care for patients under their care. Caring defined, is “a feeling and exhibiting concern and empathy for others; caring is a feeling that also requires an action” (Lachman, 2012, p. 112). The nurse’s first allegiance is to the client, providing the most ethical care for the patient. Care ethicseeks to maintain relationships by promoting the well-being of the nurse (care-givers) and the patient (care-receivers). The nurse seeks to develop the skill of giving care that is appropriate all while balancing the amount of necessary care needed
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to help a person be as independent as possible.The development of the ethics of care theory began in psychology with the work of Carol Gilligan and Nel Noddings. They argued that ethics of care refers to caring as the foundation of morality. It is about what is morally right or wrong.
The evolution of the theory of ethics of care began with a focus on relationships instead of emphasizing a rule based system. Gilligan’s theory focuses more on our connections with each other, and situations as being interdependent. While, Noddings theory contributed more to the idea of intimate relationships (Lachman, 2012). There is a difference between wanting to care, and having to care. “Caring lies on a continuum, with different levels of emotional involvement for the individuals in the caring relationship” (Lachman, 2012, p).No two patient encounters are the same. Someone you just met would not receive the same level of caring as someone for whom you share a pre-existing personal relationship. Care involves treating people with not only dignity and respect but attempting to empathize with them. Ethical caring occurs when a person acts out of a belief that caring is the appropriate way of connecting to people. Looking at contributions from Joan Toronto, a political science professor, she differentiates between obligation-based ethics and responsibility-based ethics. An ethical obligation is the requirement of any professional to make decisions based on a predetermined set of standards of what is right and wrong. Healthcare professionals are bound by ethical obligations. Doctors and Nurses have an ethical obligation to first do no harm while diagnosing and treating patients. While, responsibility based ethics, the relationship with others is the starting point (Lachman, 2012). As a professional, you would ask yourself how well you have fulfilled your responsibilities. In nursing practice, Nurses are expected to display competent and skillful behaviors within their scope of practice. “The Nurse respects the worth, dignity and rights of all human beings irrespective of the nature of the health problem” (Lachman, 2012, p). Tronto proposes four phases of caring and four elements of care. The phases of caring for patients involve, caring about, taking care of, care giving, and care receiving. The four elements of caring require certain attitudes and skills to ensure effective caring was received. This includes attentiveness, responsibility, competence, and responsiveness of the care receiver.
These four phases and elements can be used toillustrate the nursing process, a problem-solving method used for effective nursing practice.
In phase one (caring about) the nurse systematically collects and analyzes data about a patient, not only physiological data but psychological, and lifestyle factors as well. This requires the nurse to be attentive in the detection of the patient needs in order to respond to them. As a nurse you are challenged to step out your own personal biases and preferences in order to take that up of the patient. In phase two (taking care of) the nurse has a responsibility to make clinical judgments or diagnosis about the patients actual or potential health conditions or needs. In order to care as Nurse’s one has to take upon themselves the responsibility and commitment to care for all patients. Based on assessment findings, the nurse will set measurable and achievable goals for the patient. In care giving, the nurse takes action and care is implemented according to the care plan. To provide care means to be competent. The nurse has a responsibility to stay updated in knowledge and skill. “Good care needs to be delivered competently, while considering the patient’s context” (Lachman, 2012, p. 114.). Phase four, care receiving, the nurse asses the success of the intervention with the receiver of care. The effectiveness of the nursing care must be continuously evaluated. The nurse needs to verify that the caring needs of the patient are met. Responsiveness to care consists of verifying that the care given met the needs of the patient. These four phases help to preserve the relationship between the nurse and the patient, and is an important aspect of the ethics of care. “However, it is the implementation of this process that determines if the patient experiences caring” (Lachman, 2012, p.
113).
In conclusion, after reviewing this article, I learned that care involves maintaining and meeting the needs of ourselves and others. A caring relationship is one that allows the patient to exercise his or her rights to choose the best action for them at any point in the nursing care.“Good care demands more than just good intention; good care is practice of combining activities, attitudes, and knowledge of the situation” (Lachman, 2012, p. 114). As a professional nurse you are patient advocate. Caring begins with being present and open to compassion. No matter who your patient is, as a nurse it is your duty to care for him or her to best of your ability.
to help a person be as independent as possible.The development of the ethics of care theory began in psychology with the work of Carol Gilligan and Nel Noddings. They argued that ethics of care refers to caring as the foundation of morality. It is about what is morally right or wrong.
The evolution of the theory of ethics of care began with a focus on relationships instead of emphasizing a rule based system. Gilligan’s theory focuses more on our connections with each other, and situations as being interdependent. While, Noddings theory contributed more to the idea of intimate relationships (Lachman, 2012). There is a difference between wanting to care, and having to care. “Caring lies on a continuum, with different levels of emotional involvement for the individuals in the caring relationship” (Lachman, 2012, p).No two patient encounters are the same. Someone you just met would not receive the same level of caring as someone for whom you share a pre-existing personal relationship. Care involves treating people with not only dignity and respect but attempting to empathize with them. Ethical caring occurs when a person acts out of a belief that caring is the appropriate way of connecting to people. Looking at contributions from Joan Toronto, a political science professor, she differentiates between obligation-based ethics and responsibility-based ethics. An ethical obligation is the requirement of any professional to make decisions based on a predetermined set of standards of what is right and wrong. Healthcare professionals are bound by ethical obligations. Doctors and Nurses have an ethical obligation to first do no harm while diagnosing and treating patients. While, responsibility based ethics, the relationship with others is the starting point (Lachman, 2012). As a professional, you would ask yourself how well you have fulfilled your responsibilities. In nursing practice, Nurses are expected to display competent and skillful behaviors within their scope of practice. “The Nurse respects the worth, dignity and rights of all human beings irrespective of the nature of the health problem” (Lachman, 2012, p). Tronto proposes four phases of caring and four elements of care. The phases of caring for patients involve, caring about, taking care of, care giving, and care receiving. The four elements of caring require certain attitudes and skills to ensure effective caring was received. This includes attentiveness, responsibility, competence, and responsiveness of the care receiver.
These four phases and elements can be used toillustrate the nursing process, a problem-solving method used for effective nursing practice.
In phase one (caring about) the nurse systematically collects and analyzes data about a patient, not only physiological data but psychological, and lifestyle factors as well. This requires the nurse to be attentive in the detection of the patient needs in order to respond to them. As a nurse you are challenged to step out your own personal biases and preferences in order to take that up of the patient. In phase two (taking care of) the nurse has a responsibility to make clinical judgments or diagnosis about the patients actual or potential health conditions or needs. In order to care as Nurse’s one has to take upon themselves the responsibility and commitment to care for all patients. Based on assessment findings, the nurse will set measurable and achievable goals for the patient. In care giving, the nurse takes action and care is implemented according to the care plan. To provide care means to be competent. The nurse has a responsibility to stay updated in knowledge and skill. “Good care needs to be delivered competently, while considering the patient’s context” (Lachman, 2012, p. 114.). Phase four, care receiving, the nurse asses the success of the intervention with the receiver of care. The effectiveness of the nursing care must be continuously evaluated. The nurse needs to verify that the caring needs of the patient are met. Responsiveness to care consists of verifying that the care given met the needs of the patient. These four phases help to preserve the relationship between the nurse and the patient, and is an important aspect of the ethics of care. “However, it is the implementation of this process that determines if the patient experiences caring” (Lachman, 2012, p.
113).
In conclusion, after reviewing this article, I learned that care involves maintaining and meeting the needs of ourselves and others. A caring relationship is one that allows the patient to exercise his or her rights to choose the best action for them at any point in the nursing care.“Good care demands more than just good intention; good care is practice of combining activities, attitudes, and knowledge of the situation” (Lachman, 2012, p. 114). As a professional nurse you are patient advocate. Caring begins with being present and open to compassion. No matter who your patient is, as a nurse it is your duty to care for him or her to best of your ability.