Nursing Code Of Ethics

Code of Ethics

Joseph T. Catalano (2015) defines Code of Ethics as written values of a profession that act as guidelines for professional behavior. Epstein and Turner (2015) believe that the Code of Ethics provides a central foundation to guide nurses in decision making and conduct. The Code of Ethics is standard across all roles and environments and is non-negotiable; describing values, obligations, duties, and professionalism in ideal circumstances (Epstein et al, 2015). Research found that the biggest threat to the Code of Ethics is an oppressive environment, unclear and overwhelming role expectations, and moral suffering; however, nurses tend to find different ways of resistance and influence by finding strength in numbers while being assertive in order to achieve goals (Epstein et al, 2015). An effective Code of Ethics for nursing needs to provide guidance on how to manage ethical problems in different levels, it should be able to be used in a clinical setting and provide patient-level and

organizational-level aspects of each problem (Epstein et al, 2015). Nurses should not be expected to resolve ethical dilemmas by using only the Code of Ethics but also including recent research about said dilemma. Epstein et al (2015) provides a list of recommendations to use when being faced with an ethical dilemma. The list includes things such as use of facility policy, an ethics consult service, considering the level of the dilemma, participate in ongoing education and research, and help with a revision to a policy if necessary.
Nebraska Court Case
While reading this court case the thoughts going through my head consist of “wow, that is an extreme amount of medications not charted,” “why wasn’t this caught earlier,” and “how can she deny help just by stating the truth?” The stress that nurses endure on a daily basis is far worse than many other careers. I’m sure many nurses have one beer to overcome a stressful day and then next thing they know there is a tolerance built up and they have to have a six pack or more before going to sleep. In this nurses case, I believe the same happened, but with very addictive opioids. She stated she started with occasional use, and then increased to more before switching to a stronger medication and using it while on shift practicing under the influence. Practicing under the influence can have substantial consequences to not only her but patients as well; every patient that she came into contact with could have had a death sentence added to their diagnosis. This nurse was in denial about the extent of her drug use; she denied needing help because “a weight has been lifted since the truth came out.” Her license should be suspended for a minimum of 5 years with having complied with a treatment plan from a chemical dependency program, regular attendance at narcotics anonymous and monthly urine drug screening; and as for her record, she should have multiple accounts of theft.

References
Catalano, J.

T. (2015). Nursing now!: todays issues, tomorrows trends. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company.

Epstein, Beth,PhD., R.N., & Turner, Martha,PhD., R.N.-B.C. (2015). The nursing code of ethics: Its value, its history. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 20(2), 33-41. http://dx.doi.org.cccneb.idm.oclc.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol20No02Man04

Falcó-Pegueroles, A., Lluch-Canut, T., Roldan-Merino, J., Goberna-Tricas, J., & Guàrdia-Olmos, J. (2015). Ethical conflict in critical care nursing. Nursing Ethics, 22(5), 594-607. http://dx.doi.org.cccneb.idm.oclc.org/10.1177/0969733014549883

Ho, Grace W K,PhD., R.N., Gross, Deborah A,D.N.Sc, R.N., & Bettencourt, A., PhD. (2017). Universal mandatory reporting policies and the odds of identifying child physical abuse. American Journal of Public Health, 107(5), 709-716. http://dx.doi.org.cccneb.idm.oclc.org/10.2105/AJPH.2017.303667

Nursing leadership and management (6th ed.). (2013). Assessment Technologies Institute,

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