Leadership Ethics and the Disruptive Resident
My ethical dilemma occurs daily in the long term care environment (LTC). When residents behaviors are disruptive to staff and other residents in the facility, the solution is to give medications to quiet them down. Is this the right thing to do?
Ethics, as defined by Merriam Webster’s online dictionary (n.d.), is a branch of philosophy dealing with what is morally right or wrong. The Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (ANA, 2001) is a guiding framework for ethical decision making. In the current LTC environment, ethical decisions often come down from the top seemingly without concern for the rights of the resident. Nurse leaders need to incorporate a process for ethical decision making that involves the resident, family and caregivers so solutions are guided by morals and professional guidelines.
Key Strategies Pertinent to Ethical Issue
Quantum leadership establishes an open culture that embraces collaboration and values individual’s thoughts and ideas making communication important in understanding ethical problems and seeking solutions (Lazaridou, & Fris, 2008). In moral case deliberation, caretakers collaborate with their peers on moral issues to come up with solutions harmonious with quantum thought (Dam, Abma, Kardol, & Widdershoven, 2012).
More importantly than communication, caregivers need to develop an awareness to recognize and identify ethical issues. External factors like workplace culture, lack of time and resources may interfere with a caregiver’s ability to “see” ethical problems (Dam et al., 2012; Solum, Slettebø, & Hauge, 2008).
Finally, after ethical issues have been identified and the communication processes has been sta...
... middle of paper ...
...hics for nurses with interpretive statements. New York: Author.
Chamberlain College of Nursing. (2014). NR504: Leadership & Nursing Week 4 & 5 lessons. St. Louis, MO. Online Publication
Dam, S., Abma, T., Kardol, M., & Widdershoven, G. (2012). Here's my dilemma: Moral case deliberation as a platform for discussing everyday ethics in elderly care. Health Care Analysis, 20(3), 250-267. doi:10.1007/s10728-011-0185-9
Ethics [Def.2]. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster Online, Retrieved February 8, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citation.
Lazaridou, A., & Fris, J. (2008). Slipping the yoke of heroic paradigm: Looking for quantum leadership. Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ940819.pdf
Solum, E., Slettebø, A., & Hauge, S. (2008). Prevention of unethical actions in nursing homes. Nursing Ethics, 15(4), 536-548. doi:10.1177/0969733008090524
During week 4, we became familiar with the application of ethics in the nursing practice settings. We learned about ethical theories and principles, which are crucial when practicing in any clinical settings during ethical decision-making and while facing one or multiple ethical dilemmas. Also, we were introduced to the MORAL model used in ethical decision – making progress. The MORAL model is the easiest model to use in the everyday clinical practice, for instance at bedside nursing. This model can be applyed in any clinical settings and its acronyms assist
This assignment will identify and evaluate the legal and ethical issues within the health and social care for elderly people with dementia and living in residential homes. It will address the difference between the legal and ethical issues and the impact it has on the person suffering from the disease, their family and the role that the professionals have in decision making for the individual’s wellbeing.
A person 's ethical beliefs are shaped by their religion, culture, family values, and life experiences. It is imperative for nurse leaders to go beyond examining their own ethical and moral beliefs. They must educate themselves on concepts, theories, and frameworks to effectively deal with ethical dilemmas, questions of morality, and legal issues. This is important not only for their own well-being but also because they are role models for all staff within their organization.
The classical term for the word ethics is, moral philosophies that rule an individual’s or group behavior or action. The American Nurses Association used ethics to write the Code of Ethics for Nurses with these values and visions in mind: “(1) As a statement of the ethical obligations and duties of every person who chooses to enter the profession of nursing. (2) To act as the nonnegotiable standard of ethics. (3) To serve as an expression of the understanding on nursing’s commitment to society.” (Nurses Code of Ethics, 2015). With our ever-changing society and healthcare, also comes changes to the American Nurses Association’s
Nursing ethics has a vast spectrum of subjects. The history of ethics was around way longer then the declaration of specific ethical issues. According to Fox, Myers and Pearlman (2007), the field of ethics consultation has been developing over the last three decades, (Kosnick 1974; Rosner 1985). Ethics has become an organized and accepted division of healthcare services. Gallagher (2010), discussed the purpose of nursing ethics is to help us think, speak and perform better in our practice. The Nursing Code of Ethics was addressed by Lachman (2009). “Futile care” is discussed by Sibbald, Downar, Hawryluck (2007). Ball (2009) addressed the need for clarification of DNR orders in surgery patients.
Thompson, I. E., Melia, K. M., & Boyd, K. M. (2006). Nursing Ethics: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
The Code of Ethics for Nurses was created to be a guide for nurses to perform their duties in a way that is abiding with the ethical responsibilities of the nursing profession and quality in nursing care. The Code of Ethics has excellent guidelines for how nurses should behave, however; these parameters are not specific. They do not identify what is right and wrong, leaving nurses having to ultimately make that decision. Ethics in nursing involves individual interpretation based on personal morals and values. Nursing professionals have the ethical accountability to be altruistic, meaning a nurse who cares for patients without self-interest. This results in a nurse functioning as a patient advocate, making decisions that are in the best interest of the patient and practicing sound nursing ethics.
The Canadian Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses plays a key role in the life of many individuals in healthcare, whether it is the physician, the nurse, the patient, or other workers in the healthcare environment. The Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses serves as a guide in performing nursing responsibilities as well as the ethical obligations related to the profession, (Canadian Nurses Association, 2008). The purpose of this paper is to recognize the Code of Ethics and how it impacts the way in which healthcare workers carry out their practice. This can be examined through three key factors. The first factor involves providing safe, compassionate, competent care. The second factor regards helping nurses to be accountable
In critical and complicating medical cases, family members often find it tedious to decide as to what mode or procedure of treatment is idyllic for the recovery of their patient. In such cases, well-qualified and medically educated can play a pivotal role in deciding the kind of treatment that should be given to the patient to enhance its recovery. In a contrary situation a nurse may know that administering a particular drug may improve the patient’s condition, but may be refrained from conducting the required action due to doctor’s absence or non-permission. There are numerous cases through which ethical dilemmas in the profession of nursing can be discussed. Nurses in order to remain within the defined boundaries ...
Davis, A. J. (1997). Ethical dilemmas and nursing practice (4th ed.). Stamford, Conn.: Appleton & Lange.
Burkhardt, M. A., & Nathaniel, A. K. (2014). Ethics & issues in contemporary nursing (4th ed.). Stephan Helbra.
Another huge ethical topic is the patient’s right to choose autonomy in the refusal of life-saving medicine or treatment. This issue affects a nurse’s standards of care and code of ethics. “The nurse owes the patient a duty of care and must act in accordance with this duty at all times, by respecting and supporting the patient’s right to accept or decline treatment” (Volinsky). In order for a patient to be able make these types of decisions they must first be deemed competent. While the choice of patient’s to refuse life-saving treatment may go against nursing ethical codes and beliefs to attempt and coerce them to get treatment is trespass and would conclude in legal action. “….then refusal of these interventions may be regarded as inappropriate, but in the case of a patient with capacity, the patient must have the ultimate authority to decide” (Volinsky). While my values of the worth of life and importance of action may be different than others, as a nurse I have to learn to set that aside and follow all codes of ethics whether I have a dilemma with them or not. Sometimes with ethics there is no right or wrong, but as a nurse we have to figure out where to draw the line in some cases.
Garrett, T. M., Baillie, H. W., & Garrett, R. M. (2010). Health care ethics: Principles and problems (5thed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
The four fundamental nursing responsibilities of promoting health, preventing illness, optimizing health and alleviating the ill are represented in the code of ethics. (Arnold & Boggs, 2016) One can say that the code of ethics are rules that a nurse needs to follow in order to effectively communicate and protect the patients. The American Nurse Association provided the code of ethics to guide nurses to ensure that patient’s care, safety, rights and health are well cared for and well managed. Models like Utilitarian, deontological, and the human rights-based all contribute in answering dilemmas that can arise with a patient. Thus, explaining what some of the code of ethics are, and how the code of ethics influence our responsibilities as a nurse will impact the overall care of the
Ethics is defined as moral principles that govern a persons or a group’s behavior, ethical principles apply to both personal and professional relationships (Webster, 2015). The field of nursing is a profession that has been highly regarded and respected in society. Most nurses enter the profession in order to utilize their clinical skills to help others in their time of need. Those in failing health rely on nurses to care for them in their most vulnerable states, and expect a level of compassion and humanity while receiving care. Nurses have an ethical responsibility to their patients, clients, and their community. Compassion, empathy, and integrity are staple characteristics that nurses possess that allow them to successfully perform their