Personal Ethics
Personal Ethics
Melissa Sawyer
Grand Canyon University
May 5th, 2013
NRS 437 Ethical Decision Making in Nursing
Personal Ethics
The American Nurses Association defines nursing as, “protection, promotion, and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations” (American Nurses Association, 2004, p.7). My personal nursing philosophy stems from what I believe to be core-nursing characteristics. These aspects are derived from my personal value system, as well as those demonstrated throughout my academic and clinical careers. My belief system consists of, respect, knowledge, empathy, honesty, advocacy, holism, and, safe practice. Not only are these the fundamentals of clinical practice, but also values to be upheld outside the professional workplace. The concept of knowledge is multifaceted. Not only is it imperative for a nurse to continually add to her knowledge base, but to arm the patient with knowledge as well. According to Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Model, “patients’ quality of life could be improved by the prevention of problems, and health care dollars could be saved by the promotion of healthy life styles” (2011, Nursing Theory). The model assists nurses in identifying detrimental health behaviors in order to provide a basis for behavioral health counseling for the promotion of a healthy life style. The Health Promotion Model is imperative to providing quality patient care. Once disadvantageous practices are recognized, the nurse can engage the patient in more positive and or proactive manners to enhance their well-being. As a nurse, it is easy sometimes to focus more intently on the patients’ presenting issue as that is typically on the forefront. However, it is critical to manage not only the presenting issue, but to thoroughly explore all contributing factors
Melissa Sawyer
Grand Canyon University
May 5th, 2013
NRS 437 Ethical Decision Making in Nursing
Personal Ethics
The American Nurses Association defines nursing as, “protection, promotion, and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations” (American Nurses Association, 2004, p.7). My personal nursing philosophy stems from what I believe to be core-nursing characteristics. These aspects are derived from my personal value system, as well as those demonstrated throughout my academic and clinical careers. My belief system consists of, respect, knowledge, empathy, honesty, advocacy, holism, and, safe practice. Not only are these the fundamentals of clinical practice, but also values to be upheld outside the professional workplace. The concept of knowledge is multifaceted. Not only is it imperative for a nurse to continually add to her knowledge base, but to arm the patient with knowledge as well. According to Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Model, “patients’ quality of life could be improved by the prevention of problems, and health care dollars could be saved by the promotion of healthy life styles” (2011, Nursing Theory). The model assists nurses in identifying detrimental health behaviors in order to provide a basis for behavioral health counseling for the promotion of a healthy life style. The Health Promotion Model is imperative to providing quality patient care. Once disadvantageous practices are recognized, the nurse can engage the patient in more positive and or proactive manners to enhance their well-being. As a nurse, it is easy sometimes to focus more intently on the patients’ presenting issue as that is typically on the forefront. However, it is critical to manage not only the presenting issue, but to thoroughly explore all contributing factors
References: Angelucci, P., & Carefoot, S. (2008). Nursing Ethics: Working through moral anguish. Retrieved from http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/journalarticeprint?Article_ID=793594 American Nurses Association, 2001, Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice. Washington DC, The Publishing Program of ANA. Nursing Theory, 2001, http://nursing-theory.org/nursing-theorists/Nola-Pender.php