Code of Ethics for Nurses, With Interpretive Statements Essay
Judy “The Invisible Patients” documentary – Ethical Dilemmas Several ethical conflicts arise from Jessica’s interaction with Roger B., the 30 y.o man with Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy approaching his end-of life care. According to Hamric et al., problems with communication is one element often encountered in many ethical dilemmas. In this case for instance, the challenge of maintaining an open and honest communication with the patient and the caretaker regarding Roger’s status and prognosis is predominant. Despite the patient’s expressed desire to continue with curative treatment options, Jessica was able to effectively initiate the end-of-live conversation. Code of Ethics for Nurses, With Interpretive Statements Essay. The ethical principle of veracity characterized the NP care approach. Respecting the patient’s autonomy, Jessica delays the referral to hospice care and continues to advocate for the patient’s treatment choices; she gives him the option to get admitted so the insurance pays for the ventilator. She considers the ventilator as a palliative intervention Roger should have access to (principle of justice). However, acting in the patient’s best interest (principle of beneficence), Jessica continues the hones end-of-life discussion, eventually persuading the patient to accept hospice care. On the other hand, she debates whether to transport Roger to the hospital when the gastrostomy tube malfunctions. She consults a colleague to discuss the pros and cons of the transport against the potential risk of peritonitis in an effort to avoid unnecessary stress and harm to the patient (principle of nonmaleficence). According to Hamric et al., (2019) the nurses’ difficulties with managing multiple commitments and obligations is another theme often related to ethical dilemmas in nursing practice. In the movie, Jessica struggles to set limits between her professional and personal life; she confesses she often neglects her family needs in exchange for more time to care for her patients. Furthermore, you can even see her eating while driving, sacrificing her personal time and right to a lunch break, and violating the Code of Ethics for Nurses (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2015) which states that nurses owe the same duty to themselves that they do to others. Nevertheless, Jessica recognizes she is at fault, and also confesses she wishes she could learn from other NPs that have found a way to handle this dilemma. References American Nurses Association. Code of ethics for nurses, with interpretive statements. Author: Washington, DC; 2015. Hamric, A.B., Hanson, C.M., Tracy, M. F. & O’Grady, E. T. (2019). Advanced Practice Nursing: An Integrative Approach (6th ed.). Saunders. ISBN: 978-0-323-44775-1. Code of Ethics for Nurses, With Interpretive Statements Essay.
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Content and Clarity of the Code
The ANA’s Code of Ethics (1-2) consists of several ethical statements called provisions. There are a total
…show more content…The American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics (2) also defines and distinguishes the terms “ethical” and “moral” thereby helping nurses to better understand the nature of the principles provided. Specifically, it is noted that:
“Ethical” is used to refer to reasons for decisions about how one ought to act, using the above mentioned approaches. In general, the word “moral” overlaps with “ethical” but is more aligned with personal belief and cultural values. Statements that describe activities and attributes of nurses in this Code of Ethics are to be understood as normative or prescriptive statements expressing expectations of ethical behavior (2).
Process
According to Hook and White (1-7), the ANA’s Code of Ethics was originally drawn up and adopted by the organization in 1926. However, during this era this code merely consisted of suggestions for proper and ethical behavior. Code of Ethics for Nurses, With Interpretive Statements Essay. In 1940, a “tentative code” consisting of a substantive revision of the earlier code was drawn up and accepted unanimously by the ANA House of Delegates. This code was revised and amended repeatedly over the next decades until in 2001, the existing
Nursing practice is guided by a set of code of ethics which constitutes an essential part of the profession.Code of Ethics for Nurses, With Interpretive Statements Essay. For a long time now, nursing practice has integrated the concern for the welfare of patients and the vulnerable population as well as for social justice. From a functional perspective, nurses work towards the normalization of those elements that detract from health. Not only are the nursing career prospects obliged to abide by the moral and ethical standard of nursing profession, but also to embrace them as a critical aspect of the health care profession.
In the code of ethics, the term practice has been used to signify the various functions of the nurse in whatever position he or she assumes, such as immediate patient care provider, policy developer, researcher, administrator, educator among other. Therefore, the principles and commitment outlined in this code of ethics fits all the nursing positions and context (Lubkin & Larsen, 2006).
The nurses in all the aforementioned positions and context, performs with respect and compassion for the innate distinctness, worth, and dignity of each person, without any regard for his or her social or financial status, personal characteristics, or the nature of the health issue. Thus the ethical obligations of nursing practice can be summarized under the following principles (Lubkin & Larsen, 2006):
All nurses are responsible for creating, sustaining, and contributing to a practice environment that upholds nurses in observing their ethical obligations. A practice background typically involves physical attributes, including the working condition, and inscribed policies and protocols outlining the prospects for nurses, and less tangible attributes like informal peer standards.
Organizational framework, function description, safety and health strategies, grievance procedure, penalty procedures, compensation system, and ethics committee, collectively contribute to the working context that impedes or enhance professional accomplishment and ethical practice.
Settings within which staff are afforded unbiased hearing of grievances, are facilitated based on the level of care, and are fairly handled to allow the accomplishment of the principles of the nursing profession that are in alignment with a proper nursing practice (Oermann & Henrich, 2005).
The ethical code focuses largely on health care practice, although level of practice is dependent on availability of resources. Because of this relation, an ethical code concurrent to the nursing code of ethic should be designed, so that nurses are in a position meet their ethical obligations.
American Nurses Association. (2001). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. New York: The American Nurses Association Inc.
Lubkin, I. M., & Larsen, P. D. (2006). Chronic illness: impact and interventions. London: Sage.
Oermann, M. H., & Heinrich, K. T. (2005). Annual review of nursing education: strategies for teaching. Stamford, Mass: Cengage Learning. Code of Ethics for Nurses, With Interpretive Statements Essay.