American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics with Interpretive Statements, provision 1 states, “the nurse, in all professional relationships, practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every individual, unrestricted by consideration of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health problems” "(About Code of Ethics," 2017). In order to provide quality care to the homeless population, the community health nurse is challenged to put aside her own preconceived opinions about drug addiction, alcohol abuse, mental illness and the assumed unwillingness to care for oneself. “While trying to help clients negotiate ‘the system’ the professionals may face a client’s noncompliance with medical regimes, drug abuse, and even stealing or selling medical resources” (Hunter, 1993, p. 139). Provision 3 of the ANA Code of Ethics affirms, “the nurse promotes, advocates for, and strives to protect the health, safety and rights
Being truthful and not withholding information from patients can be found in the ANA code of ethics provision two. This code implies that nurses have an obligation to put the patient first. This code recognizes patient’s rights, including their right to know and their right to have a discussion about their health status so that they can make healthcare decisions. The ethical principal relating to being truthful and not withholding information from the patient can also be found within beneficence (act of doing good), justice, truth telling, and promise keeping (Fowler,
Bridgett Beuckens How sad it is that nursing leaders allow, much less participate in such acts. The stress and responsibilities this author was subjected to are not fair nor safe. The ANA Code of Ethics addresses occurrences as in this scenario. Provision 4.1 states nurses are responsible and accountable for the nursing care
How can you access the current code of ethics for nurses for free? I can access the current code of ethics for free here 2015 ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements or at the ANA website. 2) Why is it important for nurses to have their own particular code of ethics? Nursing ethics are a set of moral and practical guidelines that influences nursing decisions. It is important for nurses to have their own code because it’s easier to follow the professional code of ethics when you have a good baseline to start from.
Working in correctional settings I am faced daily with many ethical dilemmas. The correctional population has many additional challenges then community patients which plays a big role in the inmate patient’s treatment and care. One particular case I can recall is a patient that was in the ICU and was dying from cancer. All treatment and interventions had been exhausted on this patient; however her family was still adamant on wanting everything done for their loved one. After long discussion with the family, Chaplin, providers, and I the patient’s code status was changed and end of life care was provided.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics exists as a guide for nurses and other medical professionals; the nine provisions included lead medical professionals to have the safest, most respectful practice possible. Provision six in the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements focuses on the medical environment and what is done to ensure an environment that is ethical and provides safe and competent healthcare. (ANA, 2015) Virtues are what drives people to do the ‘right thing’. They can be learned and habituated; but for that to happen there must be an environment that has a strong positive moral atmosphere.
. Some of the primary causes of the ICU nurses’ treatment of Jill can be attributed to their demanding jobs which include their patients’ medical condition supplemented by anxiety and stress (O’ Connell et la., 2000, p. 603). Jill’s treatment has to do with her personal characteristics because of her inability to maintain her moral integrity and preserve mutual respect in her work environment. This can be evidenced by her statement, “she began to question her career decision.” One of ethical competencies is Moral integrity (Honesty, Truthfulness & truthtelling, Benevolence, Wisdom, and Moral courage).
Amidst a whirlwind of change, nurses continue their roles as competent, honorable professionals. A relatively new issue, cultural integrity, correlates with the Code regarding “treatment of the human response.” The American Nurses Association’s “Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements”, also called the Code, highlights nurses’ consensus on professional principles. Nursing ethics guide how practitioners treat their patients and peers. Sensitivity to individual societal, familial and cultural background plays an important role in organizational integrity.
The American Nursing Association’s (ANA) code of ethics is the pledge that nurses are doing their best to provide care for their patients and communities (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2015). This pledge is a nurses’ guide for carrying out responsibilities in a manner consistent with quality in nursing care and the ethical obligations of the profession (ANA, 2015). Having a solid knowledge base regarding the ANA code of ethics is the key to health care professionals honoring nursing practice activities, education, and research. This knowledge base is more relevant than ever as the Affordable Care Act is changing the health care arena and nurses are called to transform the health care system that is accessible to all while improving health outcomes by providing quality, evidence-based, affordable patient-centered care (Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, 2010). Based on the real world observations of my work with multiple sclerosis, the affordable care act has provided access to care that has never been seen before.
Healthcare is an ever-evolving continuum consisted of many changes that occur in a day-to-day basis. The need of continuing education is necessary for us to advance our skills and knowledge as nurses caring for the general population. However, advanced knowledge that goes beyond the science of nursing is crucial to excel in the field. Excellence in nursing requires us to be politically active and informed of the constant changes that occur within the health care system. It is also important to be aware of the accessible resources and organizations to be able to seek the proper resources needed.
The American Nurses Association is the only full-service professional organization in the United States that exemplifies the importance of 3.6 million registered nurses across its 54 constituent member associations (American Nurses Association-Members and Affiliates, 2015). It attempts to improve and safeguard the nurses’ welfare in their respective work places, give a promising vision of nursing as a profession to the public and be a defender on matters that concern members of the public and nurses. The topmost goals of the organization during its establishment were to establish a code of ethics for nurses, get licensure for nurses, promote the image of the nursing profession and attend to the nurse’s financial needs.
Ethical Principles Ethical Frameworks for Decision-Making in Nursing Practice and Research: An Integrative Review. Ethics is the expected standards of moral behavior of a particular group. Nurses have been viewed as the most honest and ethical professionals in the United States. Nursing ethics refers to the ethical issues that occurs in nursing practice. It is governed by the American Nurses Association(ANA), which holds nurses accountable for their ethical conduct.
Ethical situations, also known as moral situation occurs when a decision is made regarding what one believes to be right course of action. In relation to this particular topic my recent experience as follows: I have been working at Delray Medical Center for over twelve years as a nursing assistant. Where protocol and ethics have been observed. However I recently experience an unethical occurrence. I was taking care of a patient that was involved in a motor vehicle accident that left him with a tracheotomy.
Great discussion Jo! I appreciate that you mentioned the first step is for the nurse practitioner to follow the code of ethics. In nursing, we are faced with many difficult situations we are expected to handle. The principles that make up the code of ethics are basic moral truths meant to guide us to make the right choices for our patients (Burkhardt & Nathaniel, 2014).
I feel that the one provision in the Code of ethics that sticks out to me is provision 2. This is “The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population” (Lachman, O’Connor & Winland-Brown, 2015, p.21). The first part of this provision is the primacy of the patient’s interest. This means that the patient’s primary commitment is to the health care client. One of the best examples of this is nurses being patient advocates.
