Bridgett Beuckens How sad it is that nursing leaders allow, much less participate in such acts. The stress and responsibilities this author was subjected to are not fair nor safe. The ANA Code of Ethics addresses occurrences as in this scenario. Provision 4.1 states nurses are responsible and accountable for the nursing care
In this discussion, I will be identifying the nine provisions of the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses. Furthermore, I will describe each provision in my own words. According to the American Nurses Association (2015), the Code of Ethics was established to be a guide for “carrying out nursing responsibilities in a manner consistent with quality in nursing care and the ethical obligations of the profession”. In my own words, I believe that the ANA Code of Ethics can be described as an ethical network of values and obligations that nurses must abide by to protect the public and produce the best quality care. In total, there are nine provisions found within the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses.
What is the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses? Nurses play an essential role in providing empathetic care for patients and supporting them in what may be some of the most challenging moments of their lives. With this role comes the complexities of working with patients at critical moments when they are vulnerable and dealing with numerous privacy and other sensitive issues. To ensure that nurses operate with integrity in their work, the ANA code of ethics guides nurses in carrying out their roles with the highest standard of ethical care.
To facilitate change within our healthcare system and in our nursing practice, the influences that will affect this current issue include the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC) Standards of Practice (2016), and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics (2008). Currently, all nurses must apply both the standards of practice and the code of ethics in their nursing care. In relation to the issue with mental health and addiction, patients who receive negative attitudes and discrimination within their care are from healthcare staff neglecting the standards and guidelines of practice; they are not acting in a professional manner and following CRNBC (2016) or CNA Code of Ethics (2008). One of the principles in
D-The patient arrived on time for her session and informed this writer that she has decided to remain with the clinic as she learned on her own that no detox facility will accept her because she is testing negative and currently on methadone. The patient further mentioned that she is questioning as to whether or not her sister and her mother would help her as they said they would; however, the patient had a moment and looked back when her family did not help her as she struggled with her children. Furthermore, the patient reports, her sister did not give her the $80.00 for her rent. The patient reports that she had asked some guy for assistance. This writer addressed with the patient about her employment status and money management.
American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics with Interpretive Statements, provision 1 states, “the nurse, in all professional relationships, practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every individual, unrestricted by consideration of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health problems” "(About Code of Ethics," 2017). In order to provide quality care to the homeless population, the community health nurse is challenged to put aside her own preconceived opinions about drug addiction, alcohol abuse, mental illness and the assumed unwillingness to care for oneself. “While trying to help clients negotiate ‘the system’ the professionals may face a client’s noncompliance with medical regimes, drug abuse, and even stealing or selling medical resources” (Hunter, 1993, p. 139). Provision 3 of the ANA Code of Ethics affirms, “the nurse promotes, advocates for, and strives to protect the health, safety and rights
The code of ethics is important—providing nurses with the knowledge of exactly what to do in certain situations. The code of ethics for nurses make the nurses’ job easier because the provisions promote knowledge, team collaboration which makes caring for patient almost effortless. In contradiction, the third provision states imply that “nurses advocate for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient” (Lachman et al., 2015). The third provision could present with a dilemma when it comes to whistle blowing. Whistle blowing is described as “telling the truth about individuals or systems that are harming or potentially could harm patients, regardless of personal outcome” (Hopper 2011).
Nurses are faced with ethical dilemmas related to clinical issues, and disease and treatment decisions daily (Kangasniemi,
If nurses make mistakes, they have to admit it. In addition, Nurses have an ethical responsibility to keep their patients ' medical record confidentiality. Nurses shouldn 't release this confidential data to other persons. Furthermore, Nurses need to be trusted with a great deal of high profile information. A patient counts on a nurse 's professionalism and integrity to keep their medical information confidential.
Being truthful and not withholding information from patients can be found in the ANA code of ethics provision two. This code implies that nurses have an obligation to put the patient first. This code recognizes patient’s rights, including their right to know and their right to have a discussion about their health status so that they can make healthcare decisions. The ethical principal relating to being truthful and not withholding information from the patient can also be found within beneficence (act of doing good), justice, truth telling, and promise keeping (Fowler,
As a registered nurse, we face ethical issues every day. Some days we understand the clear cut ethical issue at hand; however, other ethical issues can be disguised. In my year and half of being an RN I have come across many ethical issues. As mentioned before, some are clear cut and others are hard to tread through. Initially, these ethical issues can make you question your job; however, after some reflection I believe these issues make us stronger nurses.
If we as nurses respect the confidentiality of a patient, we should do so for all the patients. However, Griffith (2007) argues that the duty of confidence should not be absolute and nurses should always consider sharing information if required. Though the principle of respecting patient autonomy and their right to confidentiality is broken here, the principle of beneficence and non-maleficence is uphold. Nurses have an obligation to protect patient’s confidentiality but the duty to warn an innocent party of imminent harm is far more critical. Therefore, breaking confidentiality here is potentially doing more good than
She is also unsure whether the patient wishes to report this issue. The social worker was presented with the ethical dilemma of choosing between respecting the patient’s confidentiality or intervening to disclose and report the issue to the hospital
The practice of health care includes many scenarios that have to do with making adequate decisions when it comes to a patient’s life, and the way they are treated. Having an ethical code in all health care organizations is very important, because it helps health care workers with reaching a suited and ethical decision when it comes to the patient. In health care, patient will always be put first, and their autonomy will always be respected. Nevertheless, when there is a situation where a patient might be in harm, or might be making their condition worse because of the decisions they made. Health care workers will always be there to
This assignment is a reflection of ethical dilemmas in nursing practice as a registered nurse; this paper is based on the group assignment which was completed for NURS3004. This reflection will include an explanation of the role that I portrayed in the group, the preparation that I did for the role, what could have been done differently, how this group assignment has impacted me in terms of working in a team and finally explain how this assignment will assist me in my future clinical practice as a newly registered nurse. The role that I played in the group was a patient who has a mental health disorder and I didn’t want his mother to know about the illness, as a front it seemed as though we had a close relationship. When my mother leaves the room I asked the nurse to keep my illness confidential as she does not really understand it.
