Ethics in Nursing

PhotoCredit: Nursingethicsnetwork.org

• Ethics
1. Science that deals with principles of right and wrong, good and bad
2. It governs our relationship with others
3. Based on personal beliefs and values
• Principles
1. Respect for persons
2. Respect for autonomy
3. Nonmaleficence and benificence
4. Justice
5. Truthfulness
6. Confidentiality
7. Fidelity

• Nursing practice is governed by legal restrictions and professional standards
• What a nurse can do depends on the nurse practice act in the state in which the nurse is licensed
• Each state defines what constitutes professional misconduct
• The state board of nursing has the authority to impose a penalty for professional misconduct
• Penalties include probation, censure, reprimand, suspension or revocation of the license
• Standards of nursing practice apply to all nurses in all practice settings
• Standards of care are based on facility policy and procedure, nursing education, experience, and publications of professional nursing associations and accrediting groups
• To avoid negligence:

1. Know the standard of care
2. Deliver care that meets the standard and follows the facility's policies and procedures
3. Document care accurately and in a timely manner

• The only employee of a health care organization who may be the legal witness to the signing of an advance directive is a clinical social worker. It is at the discretion of each health care facility as to whether or not this is done. Always check the policy of your facility. A relative or heir to the estate should never be the witness to the signing of an advance directive
• Ethics guide the nurse toward client advocacy and the development of a therapeutic relationship
• Ethical dilemmas result from conflicts in values
• An effective leader modifies his/her style according to the situational requirements
• Final responsibility for any delegated task resides with the Registered Nurse
• The Registered Nurse must monitor delegated tasks and evaluate the outcomes