Mike’s Voice in his Cancer Treatment Nurses will frequently be put into situations where they are left to determine if they should respect the client’s wishes when these wishes conflict with medically ordered care. “Ethical dilemmas occur when there are conflicting moral claims” (Burkhardt & Nathaniel, 2014, p. 527). Ethical dilemmas help shape nurses by requiring them to think critically about situations and determine the appropriate decision in order to create the best outcome for their patient. It requires them to have moral courage to stand up for what they believe is most safe and ethical in patient care (Murray, 2010). Not only do such dilemmas strengthen their professional thought processes but also reinforces all of their personal and professional values.
Background
Mike is a 15 year old boy who has been battling cancer for 8 years. He was in remission until he was 13 years old, but within the last two years, his disease relapsed. This relapse resulted in numerous rounds of chemotherapy that left him feeling weak and sick. After receiving a
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It is to be able to voice an opinion without being aggressive (Potter, Perry, Stockert, & Hall, 2013, p.317). Growing up I was always taught to express the things I liked or agreed with and question the things I had difficulty understanding. I learned that in order to be assertive someone must have the courage to stand up for their beliefs. It is important for individuals to understand what they deserve and ask for an explanation if their feelings do not match the outcomes. An example from my childhood that tested my value of being assertive occurred in a dance class. When placed in the back row of a formation of a dance, I approached the teacher in a polite manner to question this action. Once I understood the rationale, I felt more comfortable with the situation. Over the years, I was introduced to many situations where my quality of being assertive was put to