Ethics & Values NUR101 FALL 2008 LECTURE #21 K Burger MSEd,MSN,RN,CNE

Ethics versus Laws Nurse Practice Act governs legal practice You govern ethical practice It is the ETHICS of nursing practice that elevate it as the #1 most trusted profession Source: Gallup Poll, Honesty and Ethical Standards of Professions Survey, 2004.

Nursing Code of Ethics Written by professional organizations American Nurses Association (ANA) International Council of Nurses Remember…one of the hallmark characteristics of a “profession” is that it has a Code of Ethics.

Values versus Ethics VALUES = personal belief about the worth of a given idea, attitude, custom ETHICS = good character and conduct

Values Clarification Your first step in development of ethical behaviors Recognize and understand your values Critically examine your ethical thinking Transformational learning Critical reflection Constructive discourse Emotional intelligence Democratic habits of heart Aids in the development of ethical agency ( the ability to “do the right thing”)

Essential Values for Nursing Altruism Autonomy Human dignity Integrity Social Justice Cultural competence All of above correlate to universal principles of biomedical ethics.

Universal Ethical Principles Veracity Autonomy Beneficence Nonmaleficence Fidelity Confidentiality Justice

In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Brutus asks his friend Volumnious to assist him in death, after he has suffered defeat in battle….. “Thou seest the world, Volumnious, how it goes; Our enemies have beat us to the pit; It is more worthy to leap in ourselves, Than tarry till they push us, Good Volumnious. Thou know’st that we two went to school together; Even for that our love of old, I prithee, Hold thou my sword-hilts whilst I run on it.” Volumnious replies… “That’s not an office for a friend, My lord”

????? Brutus wishes to exercise his ethical right of: __________ Volumnious, his friend, is not able to comply because of his ethical belief in: __________

Ethical Behavior of the Professional Nurse includes: Accountability Responsibility Advocacy

Ethical Stressors in Nursing Quality of life Futile care Euthanasia Abortion Allocation of scarce resources

Processing Ethical Dilemmas FIRST… ask yourself “is it really an ethical dilemma” THEN if yes: - gather all relevant data - do a values clarification process - state the problem - consider all possible courses of action - negotiate an outcome - evaluate Also consider use of institutional resources: Ethics Committee

Critical Thinking Collaborative Exercise Discuss the ethical dilemmas posed on the handout. Come to a group consensus on answers to the questions.