Comprehensive Lecture Notes: Ethical Principles of Nursing

Amelia Roses (UNC2021-5678) Bachelor of Science in Nursing COMPREHENSIVE LECTURE NOTES: ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF NURSING Nursing ethics is a set of moral values and principles that guide nurses' actions in providing patient care. These values are based on respect for patient autonomy, beneficence (doing good), nonmaleficence (avoiding harm), justice, veracity (truthfulness), and fidelity (loyalty). Goals of Nursing Ethics: 1. Provide guidelines for nurses to make ethical decisions: Nursing ethics helps nurses make sound and fair choices in complex situations. 2. Protect patient rights: Nursing ethics ensures that patients' rights are respected and upheld. 3. Improve the quality of nursing care: Nursing ethics encourages nurses to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. 4. Build trust between nurses and patients: Nursing ethics helps build trust and strong relationships between nurses and patients. 5. Maintain professionalism in nursing practice: Nursing ethics assists nurses in upholding high professional standards in their practice. Sources of Nursing Ethics: 1. Moral and spiritual values: A nurse's personal values and spiritual beliefs can influence their approach to nursing ethics. 2. Ethical principles: Many ethical principles apply to nursing practice, such as autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, veracity, and fidelity. 3. Laws and regulations: Laws and regulations governing nursing practice must be considered when making ethical decisions. 4. Standards of nursing practice: Standards set by professional nursing organizations provide guidance on what is expected from nurses in their practice. 5. Code of ethics for nurses: The nursing code of ethics offers specific moral guidelines for nurses. Core Principles of Nursing Ethics: 1. Autonomy: Respecting a patient's right to make decisions about their own care. This entails providing complete and accurate information to patients about their options, and respecting their choices even if the nurse disagrees. 2. Beneficence: Acting in the patient's best interest. This means taking actions most likely to maximize benefits for the patient and minimize risks. 3. Nonmaleficence: Avoiding harm to the patient. This signifies avoiding actions that could cause harm to the patient, and taking steps to prevent harm. 4. Justice: Treating all patients fairly and with respect. This translates to providing high-quality care to all patients, regardless of race, religion, gender, or socioeconomic status. 5. Veracity: Being honest with patients. This means providing accurate and complete information to patients, and avoiding falsehoods or deception. 6. Fidelity: Keeping promises made to patients. This signifies honoring commitments made to patients, and acting in a way consistent with their values and beliefs. Steps to Applying Ethical Principles in Nursing: 1. Identify the ethical issue: Recognize situations that involve an ethical dilemma. This might involve situations where two or more ethical principles seem to conflict, or where there's a potential risk of harm to the patient. 2. Gather information: Collect relevant data about the patient, treatment options, and their values. This could include information about the patient's medical condition, their preferences, and their moral and spiritual values. 3. Consider all options: Explore potential solutions to the ethical dilemma. This might involve considering various treatment options, as well as the potential consequences of each option. 4. Weigh the principles: Analyze how each ethical principle applies to the situation and what outcome best aligns with ethical obligations. This may involve considering the interests of the patient, the nurse, and others impacted by the situation. 5. Make a decision: Choose the course of action that best upholds ethical principles and protects the patient's well-being. This might involve selecting the treatment option most likely to maximize benefits for the patient and minimize risks. 6. Document and reflect: Document the decision-making process and rationale for future reference. Reflect on the experience and consider the ethical implications for future situations.