issues while following the ANA Code of Ethics of Nurses. She treats all patients and families…
Within the profession of Nursing there are many decisions and clinical vignettes that will play out. This paper will depict an end of life case study, which will be explored. When reviewing each case study there are two nursing actions for how end of life care is viewed and carried out, according to the American Association Code of Nursing Ethics. Throughout the ethics code it explains how a nurse who does not abide by the standards would be handled.…
The free dictionary defined ethical code as a system of principles governing morality and acceptable conduct. However, it was noted that no code can provide absolute or complete rules that are free of conflict and ambiguity. Because codes are unable to provide exact directives for moral reasoning and action in all situations, some people have stated that virtue ethics provides a better approach to ethics because the emphasis is on a person’s character than on rules, principles, and laws (Beauchamp & Childress, 2001). The core ethical principles in nursing are;…
It is evident that Marianne’s husband values life because of the fact that he “wants to try everything” (Blais & Hayes, 2011, p. 175). The children; however, seem to value the quality of life. They do not want to risk surgery if it does not offer body and mind functionality. Marianne’s husband may be in denial about the condition of his wife as well as being in shock because of the suddenness of the accident. The conflicting opinions of Marianne’s family will need to be addressed and further explored with the ethics committee before a final decision can be made. It is the health team’s responsibility to understand the family’s values, opinions, and desires for Marianne when preparing for the meeting to discuss her future care. The team must also understand any values or opinions they may bring to the situation at hand. Unlike the…
According to Uustal (1993).“Nursing is a behavioral manifestation of the nurse’s value system. It is not merely a career, a job, an assignment: it is a ministry” (p.10). Nurses need to be aware of their beliefs so that they can recognize and accept that a patient may have different values and beliefs. The nurse needs to interact with the patient and the family in a nonjudgmental, caring way. The nurse needs to take care not to influence the patient in making choices based on her beliefs or what she believes is right. The nurse’s role is to be supportive to patients and their families in actions that are congruent with the code of ethics. Some conflicts that may compromise the nurse’s personal beliefs may include end of life decisions, abortions or refusal of medical treatment. For example, a nurse may support pro-life decision-making but is bound to respect the patient’s wishes if they seek a legal abortion. Furthermore, a nurse needs to honor a patient’s decision to forego treatment, even if the nurse believes that that treatment represents the best option for the…
In the United States, privacy and confidentiality are the basic rights of the society enshrined not only in professional practice codes of ethics but also in the constitution. Hence, nurses and for that matter, all health care professional have a legal, moral and ethical responsibility to protect patient's privacy.…
Embyr, you did a great job in your post. We have had similar types of patients at my facility who often threaten legal action. Your choices of provisions in your post are similar to mine. As well as the principle of ethics veracity, I agree that this principle is appropriate for your situation because the patient’s MPOA (medical power of attorney) was reluctant to participate and comply with the plan of care. Afterwards, the MPOA is noticing the effects of non-compliance and is threatening legal action because she feel mislead, or malpractice of behalf of the physician. However, your tenacity and reliability on the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics, and ethical principles demonstrate the proper method in handling this types of situations.…
According to, “The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics”, this document sets standards for nurses. It exemplifies the role of the nurse and duties to be maintained. For instance, patient advocacy is an important factor to the code of ethics. Patient safety is to be a primary goal for the nurse. I believe this is crucial for all nurses to practice. Individuals in the hospital are not necessarily capable of always expressing their needs. Therefore, it is the nurses responsibility to advocate for the patient during times they cannot. For example, one time I was caring for a patient who did not understand their diagnosis. A team of residents came into this person’s room and overwhelmed them with information. Confused, the patient was unable to understand the complexity of the illness. However, I witnessed the nurse advocating for her patient. She stepped in as a voice, making sure the patient’s questions were answered before they left. For a patient it can be quite intimidating when a group of doctors come in talking about a disease process they have never encountered. So, it was satisfying to see the nurse advocate for the patient.…
Florence Nightingale is possibly the most famous and recognized for changing nursing from domesticated home care of the ill to a respected profession.…
Professional conduct refers to the manner in which a person behaves while acting in a professional capacity. It is generally accepted that when performing their duties and conducting their affairs professionals will uphold exemplary standards of conduct, commonly taken to mean standards not generally expected of lay people or the ‘ordinary person in the street’.1 The Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia is supported by the Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia. This Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses sets the minimum standards for practice a professional person is expected to uphold both within and outside of professional domains in order to ensure the ‘good standing’ of the nursing profession. These two companion Codes, together with other published practice standards (eg competency standards, decision-making frameworks, guidelines and position statements), provide a framework for legally and professionally accountable and responsible nursing practice in all clinical, management, education and research domains.2 The support and assistance of Royal College of Nursing, Australia and the Australian Nursing Federation in developing this edition of the Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia is acknowledged. In considering this Code and the Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia, it should be borne in mind that they are designed for multiple audiences: nurses; nursing students; people requiring or receiving nursing care; other health workers; the community generally; employers of nurses; nursing regulatory authorities; and consumer protection agencies.…
As nursing professionals we must be guided by the Code of Ethics, which governs and guides us in the right way we should behave as professionals. According to the ANA there are nine provisions that rule the practice of the profession. These are: Autonomy that is the right to choose what happens to our own self. One must be capable to comprehend completely the informed information to make a choice with the four important components liberty, self-determination, independence and agency. Beneficence is the action one take to promote good and the obligation to assist others. Is one of the core values in health care ethics. Nonmaleficence were one should not do any harm and or impose risk of harm. Veracity one should always tell the truth. Giving…
The patient’s mother, though not biological, has primary custody of the patient and will not consent to treatment while the biological father consents to treatment but lacks custody. The nurse has the responsibility to uphold the…
I agree with you opinion especially how it closely relates to and guide nursing practice. I didn’t have too many thoughts about ethic when I was still a nursing student. With more experiences I found ethics are so empowering in making judgements/decisions in nursing care. I always ask myself: am I being truthful to my patients? Am I respecting their wills? Am I being fair to all our patients?…
Healthcare providers such as nurses are given unique opportunity to touch not only patient’s lives but also their families. For many years, this author collaborated with many nurses and encountered exceptionally competent ones and experienced meeting nurses that are burned out. Multiple issues can arise during a shift that can lead to nurses taking extreme shortcuts and risking the well-being of their patients. Increasing workload, under staffing, and demanding patients can affect a nurse’s performance. One ethical situation that was experienced by this author was the care of an elderly patient who was admitted for diagnosis of failure to thrive, who ended up passing away due to hospital acquired complications. The admitting nursing, as well as, the following nurses who cared for the patient failed to assess the…
Prior to this assignment, I thought that medical ethics meant to practice nursing as a prudent nurse would practice, in a socially acceptable way. Ethical behavior is one doing what is right rather than what is wrong. I knew that all medical professionals had to comply with patient confidentiality, but I did not realize that all medical professionals, including writers, were held accountable just as if they were providing bedside patient care. I never considered medical writing before and never wrote medical information, other than charting. Charting is a big part of patient care, so naturally I understood the ethical responsibilities that were associated with charting. I also knew that research professionals were also held to high ethical standards because of their interaction with medical patients. After this assignment, I realized I knew less than I thought I did about medical ethics. I learned that all medical professionals, regardless of their position, are held to a high ethical standard.…