As nurses, the need to evaluate one’s values and morals is impetrative as the presence of ethical issues are persistently arising. They require one to have the knowledge and know the resources available to help address them. Ethics can be described as a “foundation for determining good and bad conduct” (Epstein & Ward, 2016). Today, nurses have the ANA Code of Ethics to help guide them through making decisions during ethical conflicts. Being familiar with these resources is necessary to making informed decisions that will align with the values and ethics we should maintain. An example of an ethical issue that may present itself in the healthcare field, is when you observe a homeless person, who doesn’t have insurance, being treated with substandard
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In the chosen scenario, the nurse who is providing substandard care is not following this standard, and could potentially be causing harm to the patient. The principle of beneficence does not have any expectations as to who deserves the “good” care and who doesn’t. As the observing nurse, the responsibility to maintain this principle of beneficence would arise. In this case the immediate safety of the patient should be examined. The question as to whether the substandard care is causing harm should be determined and if so immediate action should be taken. This would entail addressing the other nurse in a respectful manner, and confronting the issue directly. Depending on the reaction of the other nurse, this situation could develop in a variety of ways. The nurse could acknowledge the issue, and accept accountbality for their actions and attempt to change them or resistance and judgement could be expressed. Either way, the observing nurse is taking action to ensure the quality of care the patient is receiving and the principle of beneficence is being …show more content…
In the Code of Ethics, the provision that health is a universal right is stated. This is a right that is fundamental to every human being (American Nurses Association, 2015). To elaborate, the right extends into political, cultural and social dimensions. In this scenario, the socioeconomic position of the patient, being a transient and not having health insurance, is being taken into consideration and the care they are receiving can impede that right. As a nurse, it is part of the profession to uphold this provision. Regardless of the socioeconomic positon, or any other influencing factor, the care given should be of the best quality ensuring or working towards the optimal health of the patient. Using this provision, the nurse can support the actions of addressing the issue directly and interfering with the substandard care. Taking direct action will impact the care currently being given, and the health of the patient would be made a
In the chosen scenario, the nurse who is providing substandard care is not following this standard, and could potentially be causing harm to the patient. The principle of beneficence does not have any expectations as to who deserves the “good” care and who doesn’t. As the observing nurse, the responsibility to maintain this principle of beneficence would arise. In this case the immediate safety of the patient should be examined. The question as to whether the substandard care is causing harm should be determined and if so immediate action should be taken. This would entail addressing the other nurse in a respectful manner, and confronting the issue directly. Depending on the reaction of the other nurse, this situation could develop in a variety of ways. The nurse could acknowledge the issue, and accept accountbality for their actions and attempt to change them or resistance and judgement could be expressed. Either way, the observing nurse is taking action to ensure the quality of care the patient is receiving and the principle of beneficence is being …show more content…
In the Code of Ethics, the provision that health is a universal right is stated. This is a right that is fundamental to every human being (American Nurses Association, 2015). To elaborate, the right extends into political, cultural and social dimensions. In this scenario, the socioeconomic position of the patient, being a transient and not having health insurance, is being taken into consideration and the care they are receiving can impede that right. As a nurse, it is part of the profession to uphold this provision. Regardless of the socioeconomic positon, or any other influencing factor, the care given should be of the best quality ensuring or working towards the optimal health of the patient. Using this provision, the nurse can support the actions of addressing the issue directly and interfering with the substandard care. Taking direct action will impact the care currently being given, and the health of the patient would be made a