Ethical Issues Facing the Registered Nurse in an Acute Care Setting - Term Paper Example

Ethical Issues Facing the RN in an Acute Care Setting Name: Student Number: Course Code: Word Count: Date of Submission: Introduction The same way as it is in any other profession, registered nurses also face dilemmas and issues of ethics in the course of practicing their roles. The paper focuses on registered nurses mainly because it is they who have organized codes of conducts and ethics to adhere to. With regards to the nature of their work, they could possibly face these issues on a daily basis. No matter where nurses function in the varied roles, they face situations of ethical decisions and dilemmas that impact them and their patients. The role played by nurse is almost most naturally like a service to the society and community at large. This is evidenced by the way in which their governing ethics are designed. In basic terms, the ethics are a set of common values and principles that guide how nurses relate to patients, families of the patients, the employer and other workmates. Articulating these ethics can be a real challenge on various occasions but mostly when not well understood or when situation is of a dilemma as in acute care centres. This discussion aims at establishing a reconciliatory comprehension of ethics in a general sense with subsequent specification to the nursing profession. Developing the platform in that approach makes it easier to identify the areas of ethical issues. Definition of ethics varies from one profession, society or nurse to another. Commonly, all the definitions reconcile on the idea that ethics involves doing good and causing no harm. This applies more directly to nursing whose ethics, can be distinguished by its emphasis on relationships, collaborative care and human dignity (Hunt 1994). Because the health care climate is regularly changing, as is our society, it is crucial that nurses have a grounded understanding of ethics. This knowledge is, nevertheless, then shaped by the values, beliefs and experiences of the nurse while in practice. For purposes of detailing, an ethical dilemma is a problem without a satisfactory resolution. The significance of ethical decision-making then lays in the fact that very different ethical choices regarding the same ethical dilemma can be made resulting in neither right nor wrong decision.  In this paper, a nurse refers to a registered nurse who is qualified to practice in the Australian territories. There are a number of ethical issues that registered and practising nurses can encounter in the workplace. These, by example, could include quality versus quantity of life. Quantity herein refers to how long a person lives or perhaps how many people are either directly or indirectly affected by the decisions a nurse makes. Quality on the other hand pertains to how good of a life a person may have. It is necessary to note that this varies depending on the aspects of life that one associates to good life (Laabs 2005). The other issues are pro-choice versus pro-life, freedom versus control, truth telling versus deception, distribution of resources, and empirical knowledge versus personal beliefs. Discussing these issues with respect to acute care centres, subsequently, outlines the core competencies or culturally competent nursing care in an acute care setting. It is important to note that practitioners in every field are confronted with ethical issues of different kinds. These issues become high in magnitude and extent when public officials are involved. Due to direct involvement with human life, the industry of health and medicine holds ethics in highest regard. A Nurse does not only work to see an improvement in the health of the patient, but is also concerned with treating the whole person and helping to relieve his or her suffering. In that course, they deal with ethical decisions practically on a daily basis. These decisions involve communicating with the patient and looking out for their interest. When talking to the nurse, the patient will communicate their desires, fears and questions, all of which the nurse is required to share with the rest of the medical team caring for that particular patient (Laabs 2005).  Confidentiality Confidentiality is an attribute of the relation that is established between the patient and the nurse, and the care centre at large. It is an ethical issue that erupts from the conflict of rights of the patient and professional ethics in the nursing profession. Certain common codes and ethics require the medical practitioners to reveal the form and extent of the ailment of a patient. This should come along with the course of treatment to be undertaken by the practitioners (Ward 2013). This kind of information is supposed to be shared between the doctors and nurses handling the patient, and other necessary audience like the public in case of the health of one like a president. On the other hand, it contradicts with the nursing ethic that requires a registered professional nurse to maintain high degree of confidentiality regarding the patient's health and treatment. In most instances, tricky and dilemma situations arise when the patient or their families do not understand the information given by a nurse. The consequences such kinds of information are also a contributing factor. This may unnecessarily lead to misunderstandings and panic. Non-Compliance by the Patient In this aspect, focus is on the cooperation and compliance of the patient while undergoing treatment. This factor forms part of the biggest ethical problems that registered nurses face. This scenario is more evident in the case in which a patient seeks treatment for the same illness repeatedly. The ethical aspect of this is seen when a patient reports of an illness that they are personally convicted to be affecting them even if they are wrong. They usually end up getting admitted in different hospitals for same condition, without much improvement in their health. Every patient has the right to receive uttermost possible treatment (Ward 2013). Nevertheless, when the practitioner finds out that the illness is self induced, his personal opinion may cloud his judgment regarding the treatment given to such patient. Professional Advice versus Patient Consent In the exercise of treatment and nursing of a patient, the nurse can only, under professional advice, attend to the patient with that patient’s consent. A patient possesses the right to be informed of the medical conditions in which they are as well as the consequences of actions and decisions regarding treatment. But then this considers the ability of the patient to understand the course of treatment to be administered. The ethical dimension on the part of the nurse is presented when the patient is unable to make the right judgments. Their willingness to grant or deny consent therefore, can be considered unnecessary in dictating the course of treatment. By the ethics governing the nurses, this is because the patient is considered incapacitated and may make wrong decisions. These individuals are often in a state where they cannot think for themselves and have no one to do it for them. It is thus necessary for the nurse to take professional steps to advice on what is best for the patient. Denying consent to an effective treatment can cause a patient his life (Ward 2013). By discussing the ethical issues which registered nurses face, this essay article identifies the areas in which definite codes professional conduct are necessary. One thing that is commonly agreeable is that these codes of conduct need to be definite and supported by corresponding code of ethics. This approach necessitates and makes it probable to include in the discussion, the competencies of culturally competent nursing in critical sectors like acute care settings. In outlining the codes of ethics for nurses, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council, Royal College of Nursing, and Australian Nursing Federation (2008) point out that the codes are designed for nurses, student nurses, health workers, health employers and the community by extension. Competencies of Culturally Competent Nursing As naturally expected by the public and authorities, nurses are required to adhere to and uphold the agreed codes of ethics and those of professional conduct. Their standards are supposed to conform to defined professional standards. Adhering to these is aimed at enhancing the safety of the patient. At the top of the outlines also is that nurses are required to practice in a safe and competent manner. The nature of the work assigned to the nurses requires them to practice safety with carefulness since it involves direct contact with human life. To demonstrate competency, the nurses must be aware of the activities involved in the work. Competence encompasses participation in any educational forum to maintain and enhance the knowledge and skills acquired. Close to the code above, the actions and practices of the nurse should be in a manner that safeguards the reputation of the nursing profession. The conduct of the nurses should be satisfying to the patients and building public trust to that profession. It is in this context that the personal lives of the nurses are seen to be with the capability of adversely impacting on their profession and work reputation. Thirdly, a nurse must, by performance, advocate for, promote and preserve the trust that is in the relationship between a nurse and a patient. By doing this, respect for oneself and that individual is inevitably articulated. This respect ensures that the patient’s rights to are respected. This code combines with the other that requires the nurses to respect the cultures, religions and beliefs of individuals. A nurse must support the health, well being and informed decision-making of an individual. This one usually comes into play when the nurse requires the consent of the patient in a particular health issue. It is ensures by the nurse providing the necessary information adequately. This can be realised in tandem with the code of respecting the confidentiality that individuals and the community at large has entrusted in them. The codes of conduct vary from one profession to another. Given the definite nature in which they are and goals they mean to achieve, a practitioner in that field must therefore adhere to them. In the nursing profession, there is a direct personal contact between the nurse and the patient’s life. There is also a thin line of difference between these codes and one’s personal life. It is thus necessary for the nurse to ensure that they impressively comprehend these codes and ethics to help them know how to deal with the inevitable ethical issues. References Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council, Royal College of Nursing, and Australian Nursing Federation. 2008. Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia. Australia. Hunt, G. 1994. Ethical Issues in Nursing. London: Rutledge. Laabs, C. A. 2005. Moral problems and distress among nurse practitioners in primary care. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 17(2). Ward, J. 2013. Ethics in Nursing: Issues Nurses Face. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 09March 2013] Read More