Each healthcare provider must uphold ethical principles. The word “ethos” (Greek for “character”) is where ethics originates. Universal standards of behaviour, known as ethical principles, offer a useful framework for determining the kinds of deeds, intents, and motivations that are considered worthy. Ethics are moral precepts that guide an individual’s or a group’s behaviour or conduct. The emphasis is on what constitutes proper and wrong behaviour. Every individual has a unique set of morality and ethics.
Healthcare professionals need to be ethical since they have to identify ethical challenges and make moral decisions while abiding by the regulations that govern their profession. Like all healthcare professionals, nurses need rules and guidelines within their field in order to work properly and with integrity.
For this reason, the American Nurses Association (ANA) created the Code of Ethics. Visit website for nursing assignment help in Australia to know more about the ethical dimension in nursing assignments.
In this guide, we delve into the ethical dimension of nursing assignments. This provides students with insights, tools, and resources to navigate this complex terrain.
Issues of Concern
The late 19th century is when nursing ethics first emerged. Ethics was thus understood to involve moral qualities like obedience, strong moral character, and physician loyalty. 9 guidelines comprise the Code of Ethics for Nurses, which serves as a guide for nurses. Professionals from Myassignmenthelp.expert will help you to understand the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses. It is summarised as follows:
Provision 1: The nurse treats each patient with care and respect, acknowledging their intrinsic worth, dignity, and individual qualities.
A high degree of respect for every person and the allowance of dignity in caregiving and communication are requirements for the nurse. It is imperative to treat patients’ relatives with dignity and respect, given their unique relationship to the patient.
In order to collaborate with coworkers and patient families, nurses need to be aware of professional communication rules. It’s critical to comprehend the appropriate professional rapport that should be upheld with patients’ relatives. Everyone has the freedom to choose whether or not to participate in care and work, including patients and coworkers.
Provision 2: Whether the patient is a person, family, group, community, or population, the nurse’s priority is always the patient.
Always put the patient’s needs first and foremost. The nurse must understand that each patient is unique and that their thoughts must be incorporated into care procedures. In order to avoid having an adverse effect on patient care, any conflicts of interest.
It includes membership in outside organisations and personal beliefs or practices that clash with the duties of being a nurse. It should be disclosed and resolved. In order to promote the greatest patient care, collaboration with internal and external teams is essential. It’s critical to comprehend professional limits and how they affect the quality of patient treatment.
Provision 3: The nurse upholds, defends, and promotes the patient’s rights, well-being, and security.
Regarding patient care and patient identifiers, the nurse must be aware of all privacy guidelines. When participating in research, nurses must be aware of all the requirements, including giving informed consent and fully disclosing to patients all the information needed to engage in the study.
In order to satisfy performance criteria, the nurse must be aware of any institutional standards that have been put in place to examine their performance. These standards may include progress metrics and the requirement for additional review or study.
Resources for Ethical Decision-Making
Ethical Considerations in Nursing Assignments: Nursing assignments often present students with scenarios that mirror real-life ethical dilemmas encountered in clinical practice.
From dilemmas surrounding patient confidentiality and consent to issues of end-of-life care and cultural sensitivity, these assignments are designed to challenge students’ ethical reasoning and decision-making skills. When approaching such assignments, students should consider the following ethical guidelines:
- Confidentiality and Privacy: Respect patients’ right to confidentiality and privacy by ensuring that any information shared in assignments is de-identified and anonymised to maintain confidentiality.
- Informed Consent: When discussing patient scenarios or case studies, always consider the importance of informed consent and the implications of treatment decisions on patients’ autonomy.
- Cultural Competence: Recognise the cultural diversity among patients and the impact of cultural beliefs and practices on healthcare decisions. Ensure assignments reflect an understanding of cultural competence and sensitivity.
- End-of-Life Care: Approach assignments dealing with end-of-life care with empathy and sensitivity, considering the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence in decision-making.
- Ethical Dilemma Resolution: Engage in critical reflection and ethical reasoning when faced with dilemmas in assignments. Consider alternative perspectives and consult ethical guidelines to arrive at ethically sound decisions.
Resources for Ethical Decision-Making: Navigating the ethical dimension of nursing assignments can be challenging, but students are not alone in this journey. Various resources are available to support students in developing their ethical reasoning skills:
- Ethical Codes and Guidelines:
Familiarise yourself with ethical codes and guidelines provided by nursing organisations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) or the International Council of Nurses (ICN). These organisations offer comprehensive documents outlining ethical principles, standards of practice, and guidelines for ethical decision-making in various healthcare contexts.
- Ethical Decision-Making Models:
Utilise ethical decision-making models such as the four-step approach (assessment, problem identification, ethical principle application, and resolution) or the ACE framework (analyse, consider, enact) to guide your decision-making process. These models provide structured frameworks for analysing ethical dilemmas, considering relevant factors, and arriving at ethically sound decisions.
- Case Studies and Ethical Scenarios:
Engage with case studies and ethical scenarios to practice applying ethical principles to real-life situations. Many textbooks, online resources, and academic journals provide a wealth of case studies covering diverse ethical dilemmas encountered in nursing practice. Analysing and discussing these cases with peers or faculty members can enhance your ethical reasoning skills and broaden your understanding of ethical issues in healthcare.
- Mentorship and Supervision:
Seek mentorship from experienced nurses or faculty members who can provide guidance and support in navigating ethical challenges. Mentors can offer valuable insights, share their own experiences with ethical dilemmas, and provide feedback on their ethical decision-making process. Establishing a mentorship relationship with a trusted mentor can be invaluable in developing your ethical competence and confidence as a nursing student.
In the dynamic landscape of nursing education, the ethical dimension of assignments plays a pivotal role in shaping students’ ethical competence and professional identity. By understanding the core ethical principles of nursing, embracing ethical considerations in assignments, and utilising available resources for ethical decision-making, students can develop the ethical insight necessary for their future practice.
Remember, each assignment is not just an academic exercise but an opportunity to cultivate the values and virtues that define nursing as a profession dedicated to compassionate and ethical care.
