Nursing is a profession steeped in commitment, care and compassion. Beyond these foundational aspects, nursing is also profoundly anchored in ethical practice. Yet, this “code of ethics” encompasses many considerations. How can nurses ensure their practice adheres to basic ethical standards while elevating this component of nursing care?
Fitchburg State University’s online Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing program exemplifies the commitment to ethical nursing education. An online program is ideal for working nurses seeking to advance their careers without interrupting them.
This article explores the significance of ethical nursing practices, the imperative for nursing students to understand ethics and how the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics serves as a guiding beacon for the profession.
The Bedrock of Ethical Nursing Practices
At its core, ethical nursing is about ensuring the well-being of patients while delivering effective healthcare. According to ANA, ethical nursing involves four areas of focus:
- Respecting patient autonomy
- Considering patients’ best interests
- Distributing resources fairly
- Avoiding harm
These principles are not only lofty ideals but also practical guidelines that inform daily nursing practice.
Why Are Ethics Important in Nursing?
Ethical dilemmas are a reality in nursing, ranging from end-of-life decisions to patient confidentiality issues. Ethics serve as a compass during these challenging moments, guiding nurses to make decisions that respect patient dignity and rights. Moreover, ethical nursing practices build patient trust, enhance professional credibility and contribute to a positive healthcare environment.
Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing
Ethical dilemmas in nursing are complex situations in which nurses face challenges in making decisions that align with ethical principles and the best interests of their patients. These dilemmas often involve conflicts between different values, duties or interests. The following represent common ethical dilemmas nurses may encounter:
- End-of-life care: Decisions related to end-of-life care, including withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining treatments, can be challenging. Nurses must balance respect for patient autonomy, the family’s wishes and the ethical principle of beneficence against nonmaleficence.
- Privacy and confidentiality: Maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy is a fundamental ethical duty in nursing. However, dilemmas can arise when the disclosure of information is necessary to prevent harm to the patient or others — challenging the balance between confidentiality and the duty to protect.
- Informed consent: It is crucial to ensure patients have all the necessary information to make informed decisions about their care. Dilemmas can occur when patients have difficulty understanding their options or when cultural differences affect the consent process.
- Resource allocation: Nurses often work in environments where resources are limited. Deciding how to allocate scarce resources, such as donor organs or critical care beds, can lead to ethical dilemmas about fairness and justice.
- Professional boundaries: Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries while providing compassionate care can be challenging. Dilemmas may arise when a nurse’s fondness or frustration toward a patient could impact professional judgment.
- Cultural and religious sensitivities: Providing care that respects patients’ cultural and religious beliefs can sometimes conflict with medical advice or standard care practices. Nurses must navigate these situations carefully to respect patient beliefs while ensuring safe and effective care.
- Advanced directives and patient wishes: Situations may arise where a patient’s advanced directives or previously expressed wishes about their care conflict with the family’s desires or the healthcare team’s recommendations.
These dilemmas require nurses to utilize ethical reasoning and effective communication. They also sometimes need the guidance of ethics committees to navigate complex situations and make decisions that respect patient rights, professional ethics and legal obligations.
Imperative of Ethics Education in Nursing
Ethics education is fundamental to effective nursing practice. The research highlighted in an International of Environmental Research and Public Health article titled “A Case-Centered Approach to Nursing Ethics Education: A Qualitative Study” underscores the impact of ethics education on nurses’ ability to take moral action. The study calls for a deeper integration of ethics in nursing education, suggesting that well-informed nurses are better equipped to tackle ethical issues.
ANA’s Code of Ethics: The Nine Provisions
ANA’s Code of Ethics is a cornerstone document that outlines every nurse’s ethical obligations and duties. It encompasses nine provisions that reflect the following concepts:
- Nurses carry out their duties with empathy and respect, acknowledging everyone’s intrinsic dignity, value and distinct characteristics.
- A nurse’s foremost responsibility is to the patient, whether in individuals, families, groups or communities.
- Nurses champion, protect and uphold the patient’s rights, health and safety.
- Nurses hold the power, responsibility and accountability for their practice, making decisions and taking actions that promote health and deliver the best possible care.
- Nurses must care for themselves like they do for others, including their own health and safety, preserving their integrity and character, maintaining their skills and pursuing ongoing personal and professional development.
- Through individual and collective efforts, nurses are committed to fostering and enhancing the ethical climate of their workplace and ensuring employment conditions that support safe, quality healthcare.
- In every role and setting, nurses contribute to the field’s advancement through research, scholarly activity, developing professional standards and influencing nursing and health policy.
- Nurses work collaboratively with other health professionals and the public to safeguard human rights, advance global health initiatives and mitigate health inequities.
- The nursing profession, represented by its professional organizations, is responsible for expressing nursing values, upholding the profession’s integrity and incorporating principles of social justice into nursing and health policy.
These provisions serve as a moral foundation, guiding nurses in their practice and interaction with patients, colleagues and the broader healthcare system.
Fitchburg State University’s Emphasis on Nursing Ethics
Fitchburg State’s online RN to BS in Nursing program exemplifies the commitment to ethical nursing education. The program features courses such as Social Justice and Advocacy and Genomics for Nursing Practice, emphasizing the importance of nursing ethics. Graduates are ready to “integrate professional standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct into nursing practice,” a testament to the program’s dedication to molding ethically sound professionals.
Meeting the Highest Standards of Ethical Practice
Ethics is a critical component of nursing, influencing every aspect of patient care and professional conduct. Ethics education prepares nurses to face challenging situations and instills confidence in their moral judgment. The ANA’s Code of Ethics, along with dedicated educational opportunities like the online RN to BS in Nursing program at Fitchburg State, ensures nurses are well-equipped to uphold the highest standards of ethical practice.
Learn more about Fitchburg State University’s online RN to BS in Nursing program.
