The nurse witnessed and reported to the hospital a direct violation of unsafe clinical practices of patient safety by a colleague and the hospital allowed the nurse to continue providing patient care, without consequence. The nurse is responsible, as defined the Code of Ethics, to report to the court the other instances she had recorded of the nurse on trial practicing unsafely. The nurse acting as a witness is also expected to be truthful and honest. If the nurse is questioned whether or not she observed the defendant being unsafe in any other situations, the nurse is required to answer honestly and provide what she observed her colleague doing, as it is her legal duty to the patients for her to provide factual
According to “Code of Ethics” (2007), the second provision states, “The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community” (ANA, 2001, p. 18). Therefore, as nurses we are obligated to tell the court what we had observed, when we had observed it and to whom we reported the incident to. References Chmielewski, C., (2004). The Importance of Values and Culture in Ethical Decision Making. Retrieved November 8, 2012 from NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site:
Confidentiality in Nursing Introduction: This essay will give a brief definition regarding the principles of nursing practice, state why there are important to nursing practice. It will then explore confidentiality as a principle E of nursing practice, report why confidentiality is extremely important within nursing practice and will discuss the patient’s rights in relation to law. Relevant reference of published literature will be put forward in this essay to support the author statement. Main body: RCN (2010) states that the Principles of nursing practice “describe what everyone can expect from nursing practice, whether they are colleagues, patients, the families or carers of patients”. There are eight Principles of nursing practice such as; Principle A: “focuses on dignity, equality, diversity and humanity” Principle B: “focuses on ethical integrity, legal integrity, accountability and responsibility”.
The principles used in ethical decision-making and the Nursing and Midwifery code of professional conduct will also be discussed. The writer will be looking at a scenario within her practice exploring some legal and ethical issues that arises during practice, adhering to confidentiality at all times. A summary of the main points will be discussed in the concluding part of this essay. In this essay, the writer will explore a scenario of an elderly patient who had a hip fracture was admitted into the ward from the accident and emergency unit. Her medical history included advanced senile dementia and severe heart problems with a ‘DO NOT RESUSCITATE ORDER”.
According to Judson and Harrison (2010), two reasons to study law and ethics is to help health care professionals function in the highest capacity, while providing competent, compassionate care to patients, and to prevent legal issues that can end your profession (p. 3). Judson and Harrison define law, ” as a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority” (Judson & Harrison, 2010, p. 7). Ethics is essentially standardized behaviors based around what is right or wrong that surpasses what may be considered legal in certain situations. It is crucial as nurses a balance is developed that benefits the patient, but protects the nurse, as well. It is important as professionals we follow the professional code of ethics and stay within the boundaries of the law.
When a nurse witnesses another health care provider “acting in a way that could endanger the health or safety of a patiet, they should make a report of what they witnessed.” (Austin, Brooke, & Glenn, 2004, p. 363 ) The concept of moral agency should guide the nurse when reporting witnessed or suspected malpractice. The nurse has to determine if whistle-blowing is the appropriate decision at this time. The nurse needs to gather the facts, state the problem, determine the reason
http://www.enotes.com/code-ethics-nurses-reference/code-ethics-nurses Definition A code of ethics is a guide for an individual or group to follow in making decisions regarding ethical issues. Description In the broadest sense, ethics are the principles that guide an individual, group, or profession in conduct. Although nurses do make independent decisions regarding patient care, they are still responsible to the profession as a whole in how those decisions are made. From the earliest concept of nursing, the proper behavior and conduct of a nurse was closely scrutinized. Florence Nightingale wrote of specific issues of conduct and moral behavior.
But you aren’t able to; you have to do what is required of your job. Ethical decision making is a skill that can be learned, based on an understanding of underlying ethical principles, ethical theories or systems, a decision making model, and the Nursing Code of Ethics. The nurse is legally responsible for using their knowledge and skills to provide for the safety and comfort of their patients. The nurse is also ethically responsible for acting as a patient advocate to safeguard patients’ rights. Each situation has to be assessed; the nurse may use the Six-Step process in assessing their ethical dilemma.
Ethical and Legal Issues in Nursing The nurse has a unique ability to follow a specific and a general code of ethical decision-making while caring for the most vulnerable of patients. The nurse must navigate public health law, educational law, and his or her institutional policies while keeping his or her own personal beliefs from controlling what is best for the patient. Ethics are “the principles of conduct governing one’s relationships with others-basic beliefs of right and wrong…. Law is the minimum ethic, written down and enforced.” (Ellis& Hartley, 2008, p. 288) The registered professional nurse must use resources to assist her, including the ANA Code of Ethics and the state’s nurse practice act. A final influence in the case of both of these cases, as with case one, Marianne could not make her decisions, as a patient advocate, the code ethics states in provision 1.3, “The nurse respects the dignity and rights of all human beings irrespective of the nature of the health problem.
Introduction 1.0 Introduction In this assignment the authors will apply management theory to a real world situation. A definition of an effective leader will be offered. The authors will then identify two Clinical Nurse Managers (CNM) they have worked with in clinical settings, addressing individually the qualities and behaviours of each person. For the purposes of this assignment the authors have selected CNMs who have similar roles within their respective nursing units. In order to preserve confidentiality pseudonyms will be used and each nursing unit referred to as A and B.