Show According to Gallup polls, nursing has ranked as the most honest and ethical profession 20 years in the running. Nursing has been highly regarded since Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, made it into a reputable, ethical profession. In fact the ethical principles in nursing, which now guide contemporary nursing, have many ties to Nightingale’s theories. Once you earn a nursing degree and begin working as a nurse, you will face ethical situations on a daily basis at the societal, organizational and clinical level. How they choose to respond does not happen without decisions being made. These decisions are based on the application of ethical principles. These principles need not only be applied in dealing with patients but also in the care of their families and related groups. Ethical Principles in NursingThese principles ultimately optimize patient care and outcomes: Respect for AutonomyAutonomy means that the patients are able to make independent decisions. This means that nurses should be sure patients have all of the needed information that is required to make a decision about their medical care and are educated. The nurses do not influence the patient’s choice. Examples of nurses demonstrating this include obtaining informed consent from the patient for treatment, accepting the situation when a patient refuses a medication, and maintaining confidentiality. Non-maleficenceThis means that nurses must do no harm intentionally. Nurses must provide a standard of care which avoiding risk or minimizing it, as it relates to medical competence. An example of nurses demonstrating this principle includes avoiding negligent care of a patient. BeneficenceBeneficence is defined as kindness and charity, which requires action on the part of the nurse to benefit others. An example of a nurse demonstrating this ethical principle is by holding a dying patient’s hand. JusticeJustice means being impartial and fair. Nurses making impartial medical decisions demonstrate this, whether it relates to limited resources or new treatments regardless of economic status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc. Nursing Code of EthicsAnother valuable resource for nurses is the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics. Originally adopted in 1950, the Code is used in challenging situations and is considered to be non-negotiable The Code was revised in 2015 and includes interpretive statements, which can provide specific guidance for nurses in practice. Wondering what’s included in the Code of Ethics?
The Code is applicable to all types of nursing, from researcher, to manager, to staff nurses, and public health nurses. At times nurses may also may need approach ethical situations from a team approach, as the most challenging decisions are not to be made by just one person. This interprofessional team (which can be comprised of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, etc.) is commonly called the ethics committee. The role of ethics in nursing will continue to prove important as healthcare is ever changing and challenging the status quo. Nurses need to have an understanding of the ethical principles to recognize and consider ethical dilemmas. This must be discussed early in the educational journey of students, and nurses must be held accountable to the standards and principles set forth, as they shape the future of nursing. Dr. Stacey Rosenberg joined SNHU as an adjunct faculty in 2014 and transitioned to the role of associate dean of faculty early in 2018. She is a board certified adult health clinical nurse specialist and a certified nurse educator with clinical experience in acute care and community/public health.
SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone. Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs. Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.
 For nearly 20 years, nursing has topped Gallup polls as the most honest and ethical profession. Leadership plays a significant role in developing and maintaining nursing ethics. Ethical nurse leaders create work environments that impact employee choices, behaviors, and values. For nurse leadership and ethical decision making to work concurrently, nurse leaders should review what kind of ethical challenges their staffs typically encounter and determine the best ways to resolve the difficulties. Researchers in the Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine said nurses who practice ethical leadership in their daily actions advance positive behaviors in healthcare. “Ethical leaders must strive to model and support ethical performance and at the same time be sensitive to moral issues and enhance nurse’s performance by fostering respect for human dignity; thus, they can play an important role in promoting patient safety, increase the capacity to discuss and act upon ethics in daily activities and support the ethical competence of nurses,” researchers said in “Obstacles and problems of ethical leadership from the perspective of nursing leaders: a qualitative content analysis.” is particularly important for registered nurses (RNs) who are striving to advance their careers. Indeed, among the many requirements of a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) curriculum, including an online DNP program, is understanding and adopting ethical standards for nursing leadership. Nursing Leaders Promoting EthicsBefore nurse leaders can adapt and implement ethical standards, they must understand the components of ethical decision-making as they apply to the field. The American Nurses Association (ANA) and other nursing leadership organizations outline these basic principles as a baseline for ethical nursing practice: BenevolenceNurses must be committed to helping patients and seeking out the best possible healthcare outcomes for them. NonmaleficenceNurses must make sure they are not purposely harming patients in their care. While treatment or procedure can have negative impacts on patients, nurses should not cause intentional harm. FidelityNurses should be faithful to their promises and responsibility to provide high-quality and safe care. AccountabilityNurses must accept personal and professional consequences for their actions. VeracityTruthfulness is a cornerstone in nursing and something patients depend on. Patients should be able to depend on nurses for the truth even if the information is distressing. Patient autonomyPatients are entitled to know about all of their treatment options and have the right to make decisions about their healthcare based on their personal beliefs. Patients have the right to refuse treatment or medication. If a patient does not have the capacity to understand the information, the patient’s healthcare power of attorney should be consulted. In addition to understanding components of ethical decision-making, nurse leaders must be able to help staff nurses handle the implications that arise from poor ethical choices. Failure to address moral distress that results from poor ethical decision-making can wreak havoc on a nursing unit, the nursing workflow production platform Lippincott Solutions said. “As moral distress on a unit increases, so too does staff turnover and a loss of job satisfaction,” the organization said. Exemplifying Ethics in Nursing LeadershipTo provide staff members with the tools they need to identify personal ethical frameworks, nurse leaders should take these steps:
In addition, RegisteredNursing.org recommends that nurse leaders use the problem-solving process to make ethical decision-making easier:
In addition to following guidelines and decision-making theories, nurse leaders should trust their well-honed instincts as a result of an advanced RN education. Duquesne University online DNP students learn about ethics in nursing leadership, including how to apply ethical decision-making to everyday work. The DNP curriculum teaches students how to apply advanced thinking and observation skills to the most challenging ethical dilemmas. About Duquesne University’s Online DNP ProgramDuquesne University’s online DNP program prepares RNs to demonstrate ethical leadership through positive workplace culture and decision-making. Duquesne University, a leader in nursing education, offers three DNP tracks:
Duquesne University has been repeatedly recognized as a leader in nursing education, most recently as a “Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs” by U.S. News & World Report. The university’s online DNP program provides one-on-one faculty mentorships and a 100 percent online curriculum. Apply today! SourcesGallup, Nurses Again Outpace Other Professions for Honesty, Ethics |
Why are ethical principles important in nursing?
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