Whistleblowing In Nursing
Whistle Blowing in Nursing
Student’s Name
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Whistle Blowing in Nursing
External and internal whistleblowing Any person who raises a concern regarding wrongdoings, moral degradation, or malpractice within his/her workplace is referred to as a whistleblower. Therefore, whistleblowing refers to the process through which individuals, normally employees within private organizations or the government, disclose to those in authority or to the public illegalities, corruption, mismanagement, or some other wrongdoings within their institutions (Great Britain, & Hodge, 2014). Whistleblowing can either be internal or external. Whistleblowing can either be internal or external. Houston (2014) stated that internal …show more content…
The consequentialist ethical theory provides a powerful platform for justifying whistleblowing activities. Consequentialists argue that the best ethical decision is one that maximizes the human benefit while at the same time minimizing the harm (Houston, 2014). Therefore, consequentialists believe that whistleblowing is ethical since it promotes some moral purpose and fosters the attainment of a good outcome. Deontological viewpoints, on the other hand, focus on duty i.e. what are regarded as the basic rules that govern ethical conduct. Hence, for those who subscribe to the deontological viewpoint, a conduct is unethical only when it departs from the fundamental rules that govern ethical conduct. By contrast, utilitarian approaches are characterized by two main characteristics. First, the ethicality of practices and actions should be judged depending on their consequences, and, second, the consequences should be evaluated on the basis of its social utility. Hence, the whistleblowing act is viewed as an assessment of the different foreseeable consequences, and the impact of such consequences on the conflicting …show more content…
Nursing professional associations and boards strongly believe that nursing practices should stress patient advocacy and emphasize the significance of the role of the nurses in protecting patients and enhancing their safety (Thomas, & Willmann, 2012). One of the ways through which nurses can advocate for patient safety and protection is through whistleblowing. However, there exists impediments to whistleblowing in the workplace such as retaliation and legal liability. The following strategies can be used by whistleblowers to reduce their legal liability and the likelihood of retaliation.
a. Whistleblowers should review company laws and guidelines concerning whistleblowing to ensure that they approach it with caution and without violating any of the rules and regulations.
b. Training and education to orient with whistleblowing and how to effectively blow the whistle
c. Also, it is important that the whistleblowers review state and national laws relating to whistleblowing to ensure that they do not violate any of them. Besides, conducting such a review will familiarize them with laws that protect their interests (retaliation or legal liability) and they can use such laws to discourage retaliation or legal
Student’s Name
Institution Affiliation
Whistle Blowing in Nursing
External and internal whistleblowing Any person who raises a concern regarding wrongdoings, moral degradation, or malpractice within his/her workplace is referred to as a whistleblower. Therefore, whistleblowing refers to the process through which individuals, normally employees within private organizations or the government, disclose to those in authority or to the public illegalities, corruption, mismanagement, or some other wrongdoings within their institutions (Great Britain, & Hodge, 2014). Whistleblowing can either be internal or external. Whistleblowing can either be internal or external. Houston (2014) stated that internal …show more content…
The consequentialist ethical theory provides a powerful platform for justifying whistleblowing activities. Consequentialists argue that the best ethical decision is one that maximizes the human benefit while at the same time minimizing the harm (Houston, 2014). Therefore, consequentialists believe that whistleblowing is ethical since it promotes some moral purpose and fosters the attainment of a good outcome. Deontological viewpoints, on the other hand, focus on duty i.e. what are regarded as the basic rules that govern ethical conduct. Hence, for those who subscribe to the deontological viewpoint, a conduct is unethical only when it departs from the fundamental rules that govern ethical conduct. By contrast, utilitarian approaches are characterized by two main characteristics. First, the ethicality of practices and actions should be judged depending on their consequences, and, second, the consequences should be evaluated on the basis of its social utility. Hence, the whistleblowing act is viewed as an assessment of the different foreseeable consequences, and the impact of such consequences on the conflicting …show more content…
Nursing professional associations and boards strongly believe that nursing practices should stress patient advocacy and emphasize the significance of the role of the nurses in protecting patients and enhancing their safety (Thomas, & Willmann, 2012). One of the ways through which nurses can advocate for patient safety and protection is through whistleblowing. However, there exists impediments to whistleblowing in the workplace such as retaliation and legal liability. The following strategies can be used by whistleblowers to reduce their legal liability and the likelihood of retaliation.
a. Whistleblowers should review company laws and guidelines concerning whistleblowing to ensure that they approach it with caution and without violating any of the rules and regulations.
b. Training and education to orient with whistleblowing and how to effectively blow the whistle
c. Also, it is important that the whistleblowers review state and national laws relating to whistleblowing to ensure that they do not violate any of them. Besides, conducting such a review will familiarize them with laws that protect their interests (retaliation or legal liability) and they can use such laws to discourage retaliation or legal