ETHICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

IN NURSING
VALUES
ideals, beliefs, customs, modes of conduct, qualities, or goals that are highly
prized or preferred by individuals, groups, or society
usually not written down
VALUES CLARIFICATION
refers to the process of becoming more conscious of & naming what one values or
considers worthy
VALUES CONFLICT
internal or interpersonal conflict that occurs in circumstances in which personal
values are at odds with those of patients, colleagues or the institution
MORALS
standards of right & wrong
learned & internalized at early age
society & culture play important role
moral orientation generally based on religious beliefs
MORAL VALUES
preferences or dispositions reflective of right & wrong, should or should not, in
human behavior
MORAL INTEGRITY
A focal virtue that relates to soundness, reliability, wholeness, an integration of
character & fidelity in adherence to moral norms sustained over time
MORAL THOUGHT
individuals cognitive examination of right & wrong, good & bad
MORAL DISTRESS
the reaction to a situation in which there are moral problems that seem to have
clear solutions, yet one is unable to follow ones moral beliefs because of external
restraints this may be evidenced in anger, frustration, dissatisfaction & poor performance
in the wor! setting
ETHICS
declarations of what is right or wrong & what ought to be
a formal process for ma!ing logical & consistent decisions based upon moral
beliefs
generally no system for enforcement
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
basic & obvious moral truths that guide deliberation & action
MAJOR ETHICAL PRINCIPLES INCLUDE:
autonomy
beneficence
nonmaleficence
veracity
confidentiality
"ustice
fidelity
others #$$
ETHIC OF CARE
an approach to ethical decision ma!ing grounded in relationship & mutual
responsibility in which choices are contextually bound & strategies are focused on
maintaining connections & not hurting anyone
ETHIC OF JUSTICE
an approach to ethical decision ma!ing based on ob"ective rules & principles in
which choices are made from a stance of separateness
CODE OF ETHICS
written list of a professions values & standards of conduct
framewor! for decision ma!ing
general statements
offer guidance
periodically revised
not legally enforceable as laws but consistent violations indicate an unwillingness
by the person to act in a professional manner & license can be suspended or revo!ed
American Nure! A"cia#i"n C"$e "% E#&ic %"r Nure %&uly, '(()*

+he nurse, in all professional relationships, practices with compassion and respect
for the inherent dignity, worth and uniqueness of every individual, unrestricted by
considerations of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health
problems$
+he nurse,s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family,
group, or community$
+he nurse participates in establishing, maintaining, and improving healthcare
environments and conditions of employment conducive to the provision of quality health
care and consistent with the values of the profession through individual and collective
action$
+he nurse participates in the advancement of the profession through contributions
to practice, education, administration, and !nowledge development$
+he nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public in promoting
community, national, and international efforts to meet health needs$
+he profession of nursing, as represented by associations and their members, is
responsible for articulating nursing values, for maintaining the integrity of the profession
and its practice, and for shaping social policy$
+he nurse is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and
determines the appropriate delegation of tas!s consistent with the nurse,s obligation to
provide optimum patient care$
+he nurse promotes, advocates for, and strives to protect the health, safety, and
rights of the patient$
+he nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to
preserve integrity and safety, to maintain competence, and to continue personal and
professional growth$
ETHICAL DILEMMA
occurs when there are conflicting moral claims
a situation that requires an individual to ma!e a choice between two equally
unfavorable alternatives
no one good solution
the decision made often has to be defended against those who disagree with it
'EY
ETHICAL
CONCEPTS
AUTONOMY
self-governing having the freedom to ma!e independent choices
self-determination
r.t health care deals with professionals willingness to respect clients rights to
ma!e a free choice given that they have been provided with all necessary information &
!nowledge
not an absolute right except in some cases
JUSTICE
an ethical principle that relates to fair, equitable & appropriate treatment in light
of what is due or owed to persons, recognizing that giving to some will deny receipt to
others who might otherwise have received these things
obligation to be fair to all people
)st statement in A/A 0ode of 1thics for /urses
FIDELITY
+he individuals obligation to be faithful to commitments made to self & others
2n health care, includes the professionals faithfulness or loyalty to agreements &
responsibilities accepted as part of the practice of the profession
BENEFICENCE
3iews the primary goal of health care as 4doing good5 for clients
2ncludes more than "ust technical competency
0lient approached in holistic manner
NONMALEFICENCE
6equirement that health care providers 4do no harm5 to their clients
intentionally or unintentionally
7pposite side of the coin from beneficence
VERACITY
TRUTHFULNESS
6equires the health care provider to tell the truth & not intentionally deceive or
mislead clients
STANDARD OF BEST INTEREST
A decision made about individual clients health care when they are unable to
ma!e an informed decision for their own care
3ery important to consider the individuals expressed wishes, either formally or
what they may have said
OBLIGATIONS
8emands made upon individuals, professions, society or government to fulfill &
honor the rights of others
91:A9 7;92:A+27/<
=76A9 7;92:A+27/<
MAKING
ETHICAL
DECISIONS
Chief goal = determining right from wrong in situations where clear demarcations
do not exist or are not apparent
0ollect, analyze & interpret the data
<tate the dilemma
0onsider the choices of action
Analyze the advantages & disadvantages
=a!e the decision
(AYS TO INCORPORATE ETHICS INTO PRACTICE)
>now thyself
6ead
8iscuss
?orm an ethics committee
<hare
1valuate decisions