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
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
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.
In order to effectively address this issue, she would need to refer to the American Nurses Association (ANA) code of ethics for nurses. Provisions of the code of ethics are established statements that provide nurses with guidance when faced with ethical and professional dilemmas in the place of employment (ANA, 2015). Not only that nurses provide direct care, but they also speak on behalf of the patients when their needs are not met. Nurses are committed to the patient well-being and safety. In provision 3 of the code of ethics, “the nurse promotes, advocates for, and protect the health, rights, and safety of the patient” (Westrick, 2013, p. 16).
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.
To facilitate change within our healthcare system and in our nursing practice, the influences that will affect this current issue include the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC) Standards of Practice (2016), and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics (2008). Currently, all nurses must apply both the standards of practice and the code of ethics in their nursing care. In relation to the issue with mental health and addiction, patients who receive negative attitudes and discrimination within their care are from healthcare staff neglecting the standards and guidelines of practice; they are not acting in a professional manner and following CRNBC (2016) or CNA Code of Ethics (2008). One of the principles in
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.
Nurses have an ethical obligation to defend and protect patient rights, to promote safety, and provide compassionate care. Nurses are faced with many ethical issues in the healthcare setting and dealing with these challenges can be challenging. Nurses are obligated to report actual and potential healthcare violations despite the fear of retaliation or losing their own job. “The American Nurse Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses and the International Council for Nurses mandates that the nurse take appropriate action to safeguard the patient when care is endangered by a coworker or any other person”(Westrick, 2014, p. 123). The Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) rule 217.11(1)(B) states a nurse should ensure a safe environment for the patient
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.
The standard of practice explains the “what and how” of providing nursing care. Professional responsibility is providing the standards, gathering those standards, holding peers to the standards, and modify the standards when needed. “standards of practice are the “what” and explain skilled level of nursing care. Standards of professional presentation are the “how” of nursing as per Cresaia and Friberg, 2010.
I know that in my 25+ years of nursing there have been many issues that have involved one issue or another involving ethics of some sort, but probably the freshest in my mind has to be the one presented a few weeks ago. We had a patient on my unit (step-down) that came in nearly unresponsive from home that was a 78 year old male. Family states "they found him like this. He did have multiple health issues such as chronic renal failure on hemodialysis three times a week that he had missed for a week, congestive heart failure, atrial fib (controlled), diabetes, history of CVA x2, c-diff on admission that the family states that he had off and on a few months, so mostly a very sick patient to say the least. He was worked up from head to toe and showed no signs of another CVA, his A1C was good, BNP for his CHF was really not too bad.
Describe the duties of the professional nurse in this case with Mr. Cole As a nurse we are supposed to have compassion and build a rapport with our patients but we must uphold our ethical principles when it comes to this dilemma. As for analyzing this situation and coming to a decision I would use the nursing process since it provides a helpful mechanism for finding solutions to ethical dilemmas. (Whitehead 2007). I would assess the situation and ask myself about the medical facts, psychosocial facts as well as cultural beliefs, patients’ wishes and what values are in conflict. I would then move on to planning and make sure that everyone is involved during this stage and continue on down the line with the nursing process.
The provision one of nursing code of ethics stated that “the nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and personal attributes of every person, without prejudice” (Fowler, 2010). Under this provision, the nurse needs to respect for human dignity, establish a trusting relationship with patients without bias or prejudice, and respect patient’s autonomy. According to this provision, as a future nurse, I am obligated to respect patient’s health care choices regardless of my personal belief. I can assist the patient in making health care choice for patient’s best interest; however, I should not impose my personal belief in influencing patient’s decision. I should also care for all patients without judgments.
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.
