Nursing Ethics

As a nurse, I realize that my own personal values, beliefs, preferences and biases may differ from those from my patients or the individuals I serve. I understand that everyone is raised with their own understandings as to what type of characteristics and ethical principles they are to value depending on thier culture, society norms, up bringing and experiences they have had as they were growing up. Through out our professional career there has been and, will be many instances where your own ethical biasis and values will differ from those of your patiet's or their family's desires for their care or treatment.  As nurses in our current patient care settings we are often faced with day to day ethical decision and with the compassion we pour into each and every patient in our care it is easy to take each decision regarding thier care personal and emotional. It is because of these differences that it is possible that conflicts may arise in our attempt to offer treatment or care to our patients.   It is imperitive to remember, we are here to comfort the patient, assist them with thier needs and provide the care they need to reach the goals they have for thier health. Encountering these ethical dilemmas in our profession is inevitable, what we need to understand is that how you handle them is what is important as a professional

 

This is why following ethical principles can be used to identify the most appropriate decision when confilict arises. These basic principles form the basis of moral thought in healthcare: 1) Autonomy: respect the uniqueness and dignity of each person, self and others, 2) Nonmaleficence: prevent harm and removal or harmful conditions, 3) Beneficence: act to remove harm or promote benefit, 4) Justice: treat individuals equally and 5) Veracity: Providing the truth in all information conveyed.

 

Evaluate the issue from the perspective of beneficence, or doing good. As nurses it is our responsibility to do the most good for the patient....