Virtue Ethics In Nursing

The virtue ethics perspective focuses on moral character (Stephany, 2012) and affirms that good people will make good choices (Pollard, 2014). It is less focused on what an individual does and more on their way of being (Stephany, 2012). Virtues are character traits, such as “honesty, courage, compassion, generosity, fidelity, integrity, fairness, and self-control” that guarantee ethical outcomes (Pollard, 2014, p. 116). Correspondingly, nurses are considered a moral agent—an individual with the power to do the right thing (Pollard, 2014). Nurses are strong patient advocates exemplifying the virtue ethics perspective. Nurses demonstrate fidelity by being loyal and following through with promises made to patients (Stephany, 2012). Providing

Nurses exhibit generosity by providing patients with education to make informed-decisions. It requires courage to advocate for patients in instances such as paternalism, during which a patient is told what to do rather than being an active participant in their own care (Cirpili & Shoemaker, 2014). Unresolved situations like this may lead to ethical issues, as the patient may not agree with the care plan decided for them. Integrity entails acting according to your beliefs, but may be problematic when a patient’s beliefs differ from that of the health care providers; values clarification can be achieved through reflective journaling to prevent conflicting beliefs from affecting patient care (Stephany,

Moral principles are a group of ethical values used to direct decision-making (Stephany, 2012). Non-maleficence is defined as “the duty to minimize harm and do no wrong to the patient” and beneficence is the responsibility to act to benefit the patient (Pollard, 2014, p. 115). Contradictory to the meaning of non-maleficence and beneficence, evidence supports that medical administration of nutrition at end of life is a ‘futile’ intervention and can lead to more negative than positive outcomes (Krishna, 2011). Possible benefits and risks of nutrition must always be considered prior to administration (Shaw & Eldridge, 2015). A patient’s rights to make informed decisions regarding own their care is referred to as respect for autonomy (Pollard, 2014). By presenting the patient with all treatment options available to them and discussing the potential benefits and burdens associated with each option, a patient’s right of autonomy is respected (Shaw & Eldridge, 2015). Health care providers must consider whether intervening with nutrition would keep the patient in hospital rather than in the comfort of their own home, and if such support would exacerbate symptoms (Shaw & Eldridge, 2015); the significance of these considerations may have the potential to modify the previously agreed upon care plan. Protecting