Morals and Values in Professional Nursing Practice Virtue Ethics

Virtues refer to specific character traits –Examples: truth-telling, honest, courage, kindness, respectfulness, compassion, fairness, integrity Virtues become apparent through one’s behavior and are obviously linked to ethical principles Descriptions of character portray a way of being rather than the process of decision-making The ability to respond to ethical dilemmas then becomes hinged upon one’s character Virtue Ethics

Defines “expectations” of behavior Not a guarantee nurses will follow the “expectations” Responding to ethical dilemmas depends upon the nurse’s own virtuous characteristics Becoming an ethical nurse requires commitment, personal investment, and the intention to become a “good” nurse Code of Ethics in Nursing Practice

Major Points –Introduces the character of the individual –Individual moral actions are based on innate moral virtue –Based on cardinal virtues (faith, hope, charity, wisdom) –Focal virtues for ethics include compassion, discernment, trustworthiness, and integrity Virtue Ethics

Intellectual acceptance of something felt May be true or false Transmitted from generation to generation Individuals may not be aware of how beliefs affect behavior Effective nurses are nonjudgmental Beliefs

Freely chosen principles, ideals, or standards Give meaning and direction to life Guides a person’s perception of what it “right” and what is “wrong” Defines ideal modes of conduct “Everything we do, every decision we make and course of action we take is based on our consciously and unconsciously chosen beliefs, attitudes and values” (Uustal, 1985, p. 100) Values