Euthanasia - Research Paper Example

Euthanasia Affiliation: The purpose of this paper is to highlight the different ethical decision making processes and choosing the best of these processes and applying it through explanation of its relevance in euthanasia dilemma for a professional nurse.Section ICompare and contrast two ethical decision making processes. Some of the existing ethical decision making processes include: identification of the dilemma, the potential issues involved, the relevant ethical codes, applicable laws and regulations, consultation on the dilemma, courses of action and the consequences of decisions made among others.

The two that matter the most among all the mentioned above is the review of the ethical codes and the applicable laws and regulations surrounding the dilemma in question (Graf, et al. 2007). Both decision making processes are important because they offer the aspects of knowledge and awareness as well as protection from malpractice lawsuits and license revocation for the nurse in question. Furthermore, the success of effective utilization of these decision making processes will lead to saving of a patient’s life and this means fulfillment of the ethical principles a nurse took an oath to protect.

On the other hand, these ethical decision making processes are different. This is so because having knowledge of one and not the other will still lead to the professional getting into trouble with either the legal or moral authorities. Fulfillment of both simultaneously is also not an easy task and especially for nurses who already have other numerous patients to take care of and some of whom are already experiencing burnouts. Legal knowledge with all its jargon is not an easy task and it is confusing and not easily understood.

Section IIChoose one process and support your decision.The best ethical decision process to support is the knowledge of the ethical codes. This is so because these codes are the ones that guide the behavior, actions and final choice a nurse is going to undertake when it comes to a patient’s health condition. Having enough knowledge of the codes will also act as a good defense strategy in case there is an ethical malpractice lawsuit in the future as one will have followed these codes to the letter leaving no hanging lose ends.

Knowledge of the codes will also pose for a good argument and convincing strategy with the patient and his or her relatives or caregivers and especially if there is any consent being sought. The nurse professional will be armed with enough information even explaining the pros and cons by use of the ethical codes hence convincing the parties of the best ways to solve the ethical dilemma they are presented with or providing them with enough guidance for them to make their own final decision in regards to the ethical dilemma they have been presented with (Parker, 2007).

Section IIIApply this process to a controversial or continuous ethical dilemma of relevance to the profession of nursing (Euthanasia, this is the topic I choose). Euthanasia is a controversial issue and especially in regards to ethics of assisting the patient to die which is equaled to murder or manslaughter even though it is at the request of the long suffering patient. In order to be able to resolve the dilemma, good knowledge of the ethical codes is necessary. This will lead to an examination of the pros and cons of performing euthanasia against the ethical codes.

If the pros outweigh the cons, then the nurse can go ahead and perform it. One of these codes is to do with beneficence which compared to justice and autonomy not to mention the consent from the patient, and then most nurses perform the euthanasia (Frileux, et al. 2003). ConclusionWhat is the relevance for the profession of nursing?Nurses should always base their ethical decisions after thoroughly reading and understanding the ethical codes and constantly familiarizing with them. This is the best defense weapon when it comes to resolving ethical dilemmas and dealing with any legal repercussions or familial problems that may erupt later.

ReferencesFrileux, S. et al. (2003). “When is physician assisted suicide or euthanasia acceptable?” Journal of Medical Ethics, vol. 29, pp. 330-336. Graf, C. et al. (January, 2007). “Best Practice Guidelines on Publication Ethics: a Publishers Perspective.” International Journal of Clinical, vol. 61 (152), pp. 1-26. Parker, F., (Nov. 26, 2007). “Ethics Column: "The Power of One." Journal of the American Nurses Association, vol. 13 (1).