Question

Review the code of ethics for nurses. How does adherence to the code effect/influence your decision making as it relates to the ethical dilemma. You may include both professional and personal perspectives.

Answer 1

  CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES

Ethics is an integral part of the foundation of nursing . Nursing encompasses the prevention of illness , the alleviation of suffering , and the protection , promotion , and restoration of health in the care of individuals , families , groups and communities . According to American Nurses Association ( ANA ) , the nursing code of ethics is a guide for " carrying out nursing responsibilities in a manner consistent with quality in nursing care and the ethical obligations of the profession ". Ethical values are essential for all healthcare workers , especially nurses .

PRINCIPLES OF NURSING CODE OF ETHICS

1 . AUTONOMY

Autonomy is recognizing each individual patient's right to self - determination and decision making . As patient advocates , it is imperative that nurses ensure that patients receive all medical information , education , and options inorder to choose the option that is best for them . Once the patient has all relevant information , the medical and nursing team can make a plan of care in compliance with the medical wishes of the patient .

2 . BENEFICENCE

Beneficence is acting for the good and welfare of others and including such attributes as kindness and charity . The AHA defines beneficence as " actions guided by compassion ".

3 . JUSTICE

Nurses must care for all patients with the same level of fairness despite the individual's financial abilities , race , religion ,and gender .

4 . NONMALEFICENCE

  Nonmaleficence is to do no harm . This is the most main principle in nursing code of ethics . This is selecting interventions and care that will cause the least amount of harm to achieve a beneficial outcome . The priciple of nonmaleficence ensures the safety of the patient and community in all care delivery . Nurese are also responsible to report treatment options that are causing significant harm to the patient .

According to ANA , Currently the nurses code of ethics contains 9 main provisions ;

1 . The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherant dignity , worth , and unique attributes of every person .

2. The nurses primary commitment is to the patient , whether an individual , family , group , community or population .

3. The nurse promotes advocates for , and protects the rights , health and safety of the patient .

4 . The nurse has authority , accountability , and responsibility for nursing practice .; make decisions ; and takes action consistent with the obligation to provide optimal patient care .

5. The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others ; including the responsibility to promote health and safety , preserve wholeness of character and integrity , maintain competence , and continue personal andprofessional growth .

6 . The nurse , through individual and collective effort , establishes , maintains , and improves the ethical environment of the work setting and conditions of emplyment that are conducive to safe , quality health care .

7 . The nurses in all roles and settings , advances the profession through research and scholarly inquiry , professional standards development , and the generation of both nursing and health policy .

8. The nurse collaborates with otherhealth professionals and the public to protect human rights , promote health diplomacy , and reduce health disparities .

9 . The profession of nursing , collectively through its professional organisation , must articulate nursing values , maintain the integrity of the profession , and integrate principles of social justice into nursing and health policy .

ETHICAL DILEMMAS IN NURSING

1. Staffing patterns that negatively impact work

one ethical dilemma that can occur in healthcare facilities is when nurses themselves are not properly equiped to complete their duties . Nurses who notice their coworkers lack of knowledge face on ethical dilemma of whether they should bring the issue to their nurse manager . To help this issue , nurse managers can work hard to educate their nurses regarding the code of ethics .

2 . Establishing boundaries with patients .

Patients should not relay on nurses beyond their professional capacity and should not develop romantic relationships with them .

3 . patient privacy .

Nurses and nurse managers have access to a patient's recordsand medical history and cannot ethically or legally release that information to anyone besides the patient .

HOW TO DEAL WITH ETHICAL DILEMMAS IN NURSING

Nurses can learn how to deal with ethical delimmas in the workplace through gaining experience and interacting with petients over time . Although nurses have great levels of empathy , it can benefit them to establish professional boundaries with each of their patients . Nurse can also ask help from their nursing managers , in case of troubled situations . By having open dialogue about ethical issues , nurses can learn from the mistakes others have made and learn how to approach the issues and challenges . If needed the nurse can also approach to the ethics committee.

Nursing is consistently regarded as the most honest and ethical profession .