A code of ethics are ethical principles that govern a particular line of work. These codes offer guidance to people when making decisions. The American Nursing Association is an organization that created the code of ethics so that nurses have a guide on making ethical decisions when a dilemma arises. There are about nine nursing code of ethics that nurses have to follow when they are working in the health-care field. The ANA Code of Ethics I think I will excel at is the part about the nurse practices with the compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and personal attributes of every person, without prejudice (Catalano, 2015). I chose this provision because I feel like I’ve been practicing this my whole life. I feel like this …show more content…
The first part of this is respect for human dignity which is the need for and right to health care is universal, transcending all differences (Code, 2015). The second part of the first provision is about relationships with patients. Nurses set up relationships of trust and provide nursing services according to need, setting aside any bias or prejudice (Code, 2015). When a patient choices are risky, nurses have to discuss the behavior and offer opportunities to change the behavior to eradicate the risk (Code, 2015). The third part of the first provision is about the nature of health. Nurses should respect the dignity and rights of all human beings regardless of the factors contributing to the person’s health status (Code, 2015). The fourth part of the first provision is the right to self-determination. Patients have the moral and legal right to decide what will happen with and to their own person (Code, 2015). The fifth and last part of the first provision is the relationship with colleagues and others. This part is about respect for persons extends to all people with whom the nurse interacts (Codes, …show more content…
When he came to the front desk and ask for the direction for his wife 's room my first reaction was to push his wheel chair but I didn’t want to be rude so ask him if he wanted me to push him while I show him the direction to his wife 's room. When I was about to push his wheel chair the gentleman said,” you don’t have to do that, just show me the direction, and i’ll push myself.” I respected the gentleman 's wishes, and just showed him the direction to his wife 's room. Apparently, the gentleman didn’t want any help because he feels that he is capable to do it himself, and wanted to feel autonomous. Therefore, I respected his wish, and treated him just like anyone.
The time I felt like I didn’t demonstrated this provision is when I was in the subway in Toronto during Christmas. There was this woman who was pregnant in the train riding with us and she was standing because all the seats were taken. I forgot to give her my seat because I was busy on the phone talking to my friend and we’re trying to find out the location of where my friend is. We lost him during a Christmas party. Luckily, the man next to me saw it and gave the woman his seat. I felt guilty because I could have done it, but I was too preoccupied trying to find where our lost friend is
The main points of provision five of the ANA code of ethics are as follows: section 5.1, which is moral self-respect, suggests that nurses must care for themselves as much as they care for their patients. Nurses must do their best to maintain professional respect to themselves in regards of their competence and moral character. Section 5.2, which is professional growth and maintenance of competence, suggests that nurses must continue to self and peer evaluate themselves throughout their careers. Nurses must continue to learn current, up to date nursing practices through self, peer, and higher education. Section 5.3, which is wholeness of character, suggests that nurses must develop and take into consideration their own moral perspectives when practicing in their careers. Nurses are encouraged to express their moral viewpoint when it is helpful to the recovery of their patients, but must never express moral beliefs based on social stigmas that could negatively affect patient outcomes.
One cannot fake being a nurse, one must be extremely genuine in order to perfect being a nurse; therefore, explaining why nurses enforce and value their code of ethics. The purpose of the code of ethics is to ensure patient safety and implement standard of care by following the nine provisions of ethics. The nine provisions explain the nurses’ responsibility while caring for a patient; for example, maintaining the rights and autonomy of a patient. Another point that the provisions highlight is being the patient advocate, nurses are in the front line of patient care and they must protect their patients. An important guideline that the nine provision emphasize is the need and requirement for nurses to continue with their education to promote beneficent and to avoid maleficent. The National Nursing Association (ANA) states that the nursing code of ethics “reiterates the fundamental and the commitment of the nurse” (Lachman, Swanson, & Windland-brown, 2015). The purpose of this paper is to highlight the obligations and duty of a nurse and why it is important when attempting to maintain standard of care.
The first provision of the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) “Code of Ethics” states, “ The 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.” The second provision states, “The nurse’s primary commitment is the patient, whether the patient is an individual, family, group, or community” (Fowler, 2010). As nurses we need to respect the autonomy and allow for the patient to express their choices and concerns. We also need to provide them with support by giving them knowledge and understanding so they
A code of ethics provides a standard by which nurses conduct themselves and their practice, observing ethical obligations of the profession and providing quality care. To achieve its purpose, a code of ethics must be understood, internalized, and used by nurses in all aspects of their work” (Aliakvari, 2015, p. 494).
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN, 2009) defines dignity as treating someone as you or your family would want to be treated, when they are feeling vulnerable. According to ( Matiti & Baillie,2011) in modern world the word dignity has lost its meaning, whether it is intentionally or unintentionally, nurses have become very mechanical, trying to give care for dummies rather than human beings, who have emotions, feelings and self-respect, and not realising what impact patients will have when nurses show this kind of attitude. Patient centred care is vital for all nurses, without, discriminating against colour, gender, race, and religious beliefs. Following the code of conduct which is expected of the nurse, working according to the needs of the patients, being a good listener and respecting them. When the nurse shows dignity and respect, she/he tends to develop a therapeutic relationship with patient which in turn results in good health and rehabilitation (NMC, 2008).
Nurses everywhere face problems and challenges in practice. Most of the challenges occur due to a struggle with the use of ethical principles in patient care. Ethical principles are “basic and obvious moral truths that guide deliberation and action,” (Burkhardt, Nathaniel, 2014). Ethical principles that are used in nursing practice include autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, veracity, confidentiality, justice, and fidelity. These challenges not only affect them, but the quality of care they provide as well. According to the article, some of the most frequently occurring and most stressful ethical issues were protecting patient rights, autonomy and informed consent to treatment, staffing problems, advanced care planning, and surrogate decision making (Ulrich et. al, 2013). The ethical issue of inadequate staffing conflicts with the principle of non-maleficence.
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.
Healthcare provider’s perception and judgment in the patient’s well being as well as taking into account the right of the patient in every action is one of the key elements in nursing practice. International Council of Nurses (ICN), (2006) states “The nurse at all times maintains standards of personal conduct which reflect well on the profession and enhance public confidence” (p. 3). Furthermore, nursing action guided by theory and principles of moral and legal rights complements excellent nursing care. Nurse’s awareness in moral and legal codes helps them control the complicated scenario encountered and direct the nurses in the best possible action answerable by law (Lachman, 2006).
First and foremost, nursing is not just a job. It is a profession that requires giving “self” every minute, of everyday. Though job security and salary can be added benefits, they simply could never surpass the emotional, psychological, and physical components that nursing requires. Some might think it is alarming that at the point of preceptorship, the end of a student’s career, he or she believes job security and salary are the reasons to go into this field, even worse that he or she would admit it to a seasoned nurse. In a moment like this, the preceptor will have to take a deep breath, close her eyes, and remember all the moments in her career that kept her going.
A lot of information has been stipulated concerning how patients should be treated and the legal rights involved in the health care system. Different values are, therefore, involved. In the correctional setting, the patient entirely relies on the nursing service offered and various services are expected to be offered by a nurse. However, in the process of providing these services, a nurse has to uphold all ethics that dictate the profession (National Commission on Correctional Care, 2011). The legal ethics include right to autonomy where the patient’s view should be respected and incorporated in the provision of nursing care. A nurse should always tell the patient the truth according to how he or she is fairing on health wise. The principle of beneficence also allows a nurse to concentrate on provision of services that are beneficial to the patient. A registered nurse also ensures equitability and fairness in the provision of care to the patient (National Commission on Correctional Care, 2011). Another principle that a nurse understands is the principle of fidelity that allows a nurse to remain committed in the process of provision of care. The principles help a nurse in making ethical decisions in the process delivering nursing care to the patient. For instance, having in mind the principle autonomy, one can be able to appreciate an advance of health care directive that enables one to act as per the patient’s
The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses has five elements that pertain to the Principle of Autonomy. Each individual element applies to “respect individual persons” (Baillie, McGeehan, Garrett T, M., Garrett R. M., 2013, p.33). In Chapter 2 of the Health Care ethics: Principles and problems text, it discusses thouroghly the consent of an individual to make their own decisions regarding their health and future requests of care. As a nurse or within all heath care professions, we must treat each individual patient with care, respect, and to remain mindful to the patient regarding any aspect of their lives. In the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses, it explains ways of maintaining the empathy required in the health field. It further discusses that the respect for human dignity must be a priority, relationships to patients must remain neutral, the severity of the situation, the right to self-rule, and the professionalism that must be upheld by the nurse and their associates.
In conclusion, there are numerous legal and ethical issues apparent in the nursing practice. Nurses should study and be as informed as they can with ethics and legality within their field in order to ensure no mistakes occur. Ethical issues vary based on patient’s views, religion, and environment. Nurses are influenced by these same views, but most of the time they are not the same as the patients. As a nurse we must learn to put the care of our patients and their beliefs, rights, and wishes before our own personal
One of the goals of nursing is to respect the human rights, values and costumes of a patient and his or her family and with the community as a whole. The International Council of Nurses states that nursing practice can be defined generally as a dynamic, caring, helping relationship in which the nurse assists the client to achieve and maintain optimal health. As health care providers, we have some fundamental responsibilities such as to promote health, to prevent illnes...
In the code of ethics, the very first ethical principles that nurses are expected to uphold in order to exemplify that they are competent professionals are autonomy, beneficence, and nonmaleficence. That is, nurses as professionals are expected to advocate for their patients while preserving their respect and dignity and
The American Nurses Association created guidelines for the profession including, a set clear rules to be followed by individuals within the profession, Code of Ethics for Nurses. Written in 1893, by Lystra Gretter, and adopted by the ANA in 1926, The Code of Ethics for Nurses details the role metaethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics have within the field (ANA, 2015). Moral obligation for an individual differs within professions than it does within an individual’s personal life, so the code of ethics was written to establish rules within the profession. The moral obligation to provide quality care include the fundamental principles of respect for persons, integrity, autonomy, advocacy, accountability, beneficence, and non-maleficence. The document itself contains nine provisions with subtext, all of which cannot be addressed within this paper however, core principals related to the ethical responsibilities nurses have will be