Question

Ethical practice of professional nursing

Write it in your own words500

Answer 1

Ethics in nursing practice are concerned with the activities in the field of nursing and emphasizes on human dignity, relationships as well as collaborative care. Nursing practice is bound to the ethical principles mentioned in the American Nurse's Association Code of ethics.

Ethical principles to be followed by a nurse includes : autonomy, beneficence, justice, and non-maleficence.

Principle of autonomy :every individual patient have the right to make health care decisions based on their beliefs and values. Patient posses the right to refuse any medical or surgical intervention that may be beneficial to him/her. The nurse must respect the patient's choice despite its in conflict with the care guidelines.

Principle of beneficence: The nurse must refrain from maltreatment and should minimize harm and must promote good towards the patient. The nursing care should demonstrate a balance of benefits against the potential risks.

Principle of justice : All patients are to be treated equally and in a fair manner. This includes impartial treatment irrespective of caste, creed, nationality, socio economic status, geographical location(rural/urban) etc.

Principle of non-maleficence: This principles includes avoiding intentional harm to the patient. This principle is difficult to follow when the patient refuses to receive a life saving treatment..

Code of Ethics by the American Nurses Association (ANA) :

Code of ethics for nurses was developed and published in 1950s by the ANA. It provides a brief statement  about the ethical obligations and duties to be performed by professional nurses. Code of ethics in nursing are revised periodically. There are mainly 9 provisions in this Code of ethics .

Provision 1 : The nurse must practice with respect and compassion towards the nobleness, worth and personal qualities of the patient without any preconceptions.

Provision 2: Primary commitment of a nurse must be towards her patient.

Provision 3: A nurse must nurture, protect and advocate for the rights, health and security of patient.

Provision 4: Nurse must provide adequate care with supremacy, liability and responsibility for nursing practice.

Provision 5: Nurse have the same obligation in duties to self as towards others including promoting health and safety, maintaining competence, preserving the wholeness of character and integrity as well as growing professionally and personally.

Provision 6: Nurse must improve the work environment(morally)that is favorable for quality health care delivery through individual and collective actions.

Provision 7: Nurse can contribute to the advancement of the profession through research and scholarly inquiry, development of professional standards and by development of policies associated with nursing and health.

Provision 8: In order to promote and protect human rights, initiatives in health care and health diplomacy the nurse must indulge in a collaborative approach with other health care professionals and the public.

Provision 9: Professional organizations in nursing must communicate the values in nursing, maintain the integrity of nursing profession and integrate the principle of social justice in daily practice as well as the health policies.

Every nurse must have knowledge about the Code of ethics within their profession. Nurses must be responsible to themselves, the profession and the patient to practice the code of ethics to the highest possible level.