Canadian Nurses and Their Conscious Rights

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Canadian Nurses and Their Conscience Rights

Every living person in Canada has rights, which are to be respected by others, regardless of age, gender, cultural background, or religious beliefs (laws. p. 4). However, when it comes to healthcare, nurses own feelings and rights are often placed second when it comes to patient care. Nurses in Canada are required to abide by a code of ethics when providing care to others (cna. 2008. p. 1). Nurse’s rights and the ability to refuse care is a controversial topic, with many different opinions. This paper will argue that nurses should have the right to personal feelings and beliefs and not be judged or scrutinized for what they believe. In Canada, nurses do not have the right to refuse to care for a person based on their own moral and conscientious beliefs.

Healthcare in Canada is publicly funded and subsidized by tax dollars. Meaning every tax-paying citizen is contributing to the healthcare of all people who utilize available services, regardless of their lifestyle, and whether they care about their bodies or have respect for others. Not everyone entering an emergency department is of sound mind, respectful or courteous to others. Convicted criminals, pedophiles, gangsters all utilize the public healthcare system. Creating a moral dilemma for nurses and healthcare professionals, who have to put their own feelings aside to treat the patient with respect and dignity.

Men and women obtain a college or university education when they become a healthcare professional. Regardless if a nurse works in a busy city hospital, a rural clinic, or a senior’s facility, nurses are bound by a nursing code of ethics in Canada. Part of the ethical oath nurses follow is to provide safe, compassionate, and ethical care to all of their patients (cna. p. 8). Throughout ones nursing career they may deal with a variety of

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