Question

Discuss the statement, "to be less than maximally competent is unethical"

Answer 1

The legal aspects of nursing have an impact on the manner in which care is delivered to patients by nurses. Legal concerns shape the environment in which nursing is practiced and determine how documents are kept or shared. Ultimately, nurses and the nursing care they provide are judged based on a legal definition for the standard of care for nurses. Written “standards of care” and “guidelines” are available as resources for determining how nursing care is to be delivered and the quality of care. However, the legal definition of the standard of care for nurses is not a “guideline” or a “policy” set by any one individual or institution. Rather, it is the embodiment of collective knowledge for what is required of the average nurse and sets the minimum criteria for proficiency.

The nursing profession is proficiently regarded as ethical which is based on codes of ethics, as their practices are carried through ethics. The statement "to be less than maximally competent is unethical" means to say less or minimally capable of practicing nursing practice due to not conforming the approved standards of professional behavior which is considered to be wrong as it causes harm to the patient where the medico legal issues like malpractice, negligence comes.

• Malpractice: improper, illegal, or negligent professional behaviour.
• Negligence: breach of a duty of care which results in damage.
• So as a heakth care professional we should always have sound knwoledge regarding nursing policies and procedures, so that we can provide best possible care to the patients.