Ethical and Legal Issues in Nursing American Nurses Association Code of Nursing Ethics Ethics, as it relates to the nursing profession, deals with high standards of behavior, values, and moral beliefs. On a regular basis nurses have to address some very complex ethical and patient rights issues so therefore, the American Nurses Association established the Nurses Code of Ethics in 1985. This code summarizes the responsibilities and expectations of nurses in their practice. It is a solid structure for evaluating nurses own mutual skills and offers ethical standards of practice that encourages nurses to act morally, which includes acts of alliance (Garity, 2005). According to Garity (2005), “The nurse’s ability to collaborate with patients, families, and multi/ intra-disciplinary health care professionals in the successful resolution of such dilemmas can affect the quality of health care” (p. 11).
NMC – Confidentiality The essay will define confidentiality its importance to nurses as a profession and the Nursing and Midwifery Code of Professional Conduct. It will further look at possible dilemmas that could arise in course of practice between the nurse colleagues and the clients. Examples will be based on my clinical placement 1 at Blackfriars Work Centre. Confidentiality is keeping secret, the shared information depending on the situation arising. Dimond (2002) define confidentiality as one of the values of good practise that is concerned with protecting the private information obtained about the patient and client during the period of professional practice.
The ANA code of ethics has provisions in place to assist in a decision for this case. Provision 1 protects human dignity, the right to self-determination. Provision 2 protects the patient's interests and facilitates collaboration among health care providers. Provision 3 and 4 provides standards, accountability, responsibility for nursing judgment and action. In the case of malpractice witnessed by a nurse against a fellow nurse and the facility that they worked, the code of ethics also has provisions to protect nurses as well.
Ethical nursing; patient abandonment It is important to first understand the difference between law and ethics. Ethics examines the values and actions of people. In nursing, ethical issues arise daily. There are issues such as death, dying, birth, abortion, genetics, quality of life, and general human rights. Laws on the other hand are binding rules of conduct.
This decision was reached after the consultant, named nurse, patient and the patient’s family discussed together and based their decision on the patient’s age, condition, quality of life and wishes. The UKCC ‘Code of Professional Conduct’ (1992) states that every registered nurse, midwife, and Health Visitor should act, at all times, in such a manner as to … promote and safeguard the interests and well-being of patients and clients [and to] ensure that no action or omission on your part, or within your sphere of responsibility, is detrimental to the interests, condition or safety of patients and clients. Therefore, how does withholding life-saving treatment, comply with the ‘Code of Professional Conduct’? The decision not to resuscitate conflicts with this clause of a document that aims to define and develop professional standards to protect the public and offer direction regarding the suitable conduct of the profession (Kenworthy et al, 1999). The conflict arises because the decision not to resuscitate could be seen as not promoting the well being of the patient and an omission on the nurse’s part, causing detrimental consequences (Rumbold, 1999).
How the ANA Code of Nursing Ethics would influence a final decision in each case study. With the patient with the hemorrhagic stroke, it is our responsibility to discuss with the patient’s family possible options in which they would feel comfortable taking. According to the Code of Nursing Ethics, “the nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community” (ANA Code of Nursing Ethics). With the patient having no advanced directives, the decision is much harder to take. Ethics committees can be useful in this situation, because they can help explain the patient’s situation and provide possible answers to those hard questions.
Although, I may treat all these situations differently they all require compassion and respect. In addition, the Code of Ethics states, “The nurse has authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice, makes decisions and takes action consistent with the obligation to promote health and to provide optimal care.” (Association, 2001) As a nurse, I am accountable for my actions in patient care, patient safety, and maintaining patient confidentiality. It is important to provide the best care I can for all of my patients. While doing so I need to adhere to the NPA of my
Frequently Asked Questions Roles of State Boards of Nursing: Licensure, Regulation and Complaint Investigation What is the role of state boards of nursing? State boards of nursing are government agencies charged with regulating nursing practice. The boards protect the public by ensuring that standards of nursing practice are met and nurses are competent in their practice. Typical powers and duties of a board of nursing include: • Interpreting and enforcing the state nurse practice act • Administering nurse licensure by overseeing exams to grant licenses and taking action against licenses of nurses who have exhibited unsafe nursing practice • Accrediting or approving nurse education programs • Developing nursing practice standards
Delegation Examples in a Healthcare Care Setting Presentation Delegation Examples in a Healthcare Care Setting Presentation Slide 2 What is Delegation? According to the American Nurses Association and National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Delegation is the act of directing and overseeing another a competent person who is executing a nursing task or activity. Speaker Note: Delegation is important in nursing to be able to free up time for tasks are complex and cannot be delegated. It is way to work effectively as a team to provide safe and better care for the clients. Slide 3 The delegation process Familiarize yourself with the practice and organization Identify you own barriers Identify your team's strength and weakness
Professional Roles & Values--Task 3 It is imperative that the FNP recognize her role to better meet the needs of the client. The nurse should meet with the FNP to explain the resources that are available at the clinic (ie: other staff members) During the meeting with the FNP the nurse should have policies on hand that have specifics of what the FNP should do in certain situations (ie: when to refer the patient to the high-risk clinic). The FNP needs to understand that while she is concerned about the patient it is her obligation to ensure the patient receives safe, quality care. When delegating the nurse is still accountable and responsible for the nursing practice. The nurse should ensure that when they delegate the person they are delegating to is competent enough for the task.