At both the Bachelor and Master levels, nursing programs require courses in ethics. Thus, you have likely considered point-of-care ethical dilemmas previously; however, you can never think too much about this important topic. So much of what nurses and other healthcare professionals do daily is based in a foundation of ethics. Providing patient care and ensuring patient safety while enhancing quality and diminishing costs are all ethical practices in which you already likely engage.
A patient-focused approach, which promotes the delivery of safe, quality, and cost-effective healthcare designed to provide positive patient outcomes, represents a fundamental alignment to ethical principles for the delivery of healthcare. In your journey to become a DNP-prepared nurse, you will continue to uphold ethical principles in your nursing practice and will likely serve as an advocate for these principles in all you do.
Resources
Ethics Resources
- Clark, K., Rödlach, A., Ballesteros, M., Davis, R., Holmes, L., Miller, J., Minnich, M., & Schultz, A. (2024). The role of doctor of nursing practice programs’ mission, vision, and values statements in the development of students’ professional identity: A qualitative study.Links to an external site. Nurse Education Today, 134, Article 106096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106096
- Fornili, K. S. (2022). Expanded conceptual framework for ethical action by nurses on the “further upstream and farther downstream” determinants of health equity.Links to an external site. Journal of Addictions Nursing, 33(3), 203–214. https://doi.org/10.1097/jan.0000000000000484
- Green, C. (2022). Applying the Nightingale pledge in reducing health disparities: A hospital-acquired pressure injury case studyLinks to an external site.. Advances in Skin and Wound Care, 35(3), 180–183. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.asw.0000815492.11595.61
- Khaghanizadeh M, Koohi A, Ebadi A, Vahedian-Azimi A. (2023). The effect and comparison of training in ethical decision-making through lectures and group discussions on moral reasoning, moral distress and moral sensitivity in nurses: A clinical randomized controlled trial.Links to an external site. BMC medical ethics, 24(1), Article 58. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-023-00938-5
- Torkaman, M., Heydari, N., & Torabizadeh, C. (2020). Nurses’ perspectives regarding the relationship between professional ethics and organizational commitment in healthcare organizations.Links to an external site. Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine, 13(17), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.18502/jmehm.v13i17.4658
To prepare:
- Review the Learning Resources for this week, paying special attention to the various ethical issues in nursing practice that are addressed.
- Reflect on any ethical challenges in nursing you have personally experienced.
- Select one current ethical challenge in nursing that you have personally experienced—either professionally or as a student—on which to focus for this Blog.
- Think about your experiences related to the ethical challenge you selected.
- What happened?
- How was the ethical challenge addressed by you and the other stakeholders involved?
- Do you agree with the approach(es) that were taken?
- Would you have done anything differently? If so, what?
Note: Be sure to review the grading rubric for this Blog so you fully understand what is expected of you. To access the rubric, click on the three dots that appear at the upper right of the Blog assignment page, then choose, “Show Rubric.
Address the following in your Blog entry:
- Identify the ethical challenge in nursing you selected.
- Explain why you selected this ethical challenge and why you think it is important.
- Describe the specific situation you experienced. Be specific and provide examples. Explain:
- What happened?
- How was it addressed by you and the other stakeholders involved?
- Do you agree with the approach(es) that were taken?
- Would you have done anything differently? If so, what?
Read a selection of your colleagues’ entries.
RUBRIC:
Thoroughly responds to the blog prompt/s. Post provides comprehensive insight, understanding, or reflection about the topic through a focused analysis of the topic supported by personal experiences and/or examples. Personal opinions are expressed and are clearly related to the topic, activity or process identified in blog prompts. The post reflects in-depth engagement with the topic. Posts main blog by due date.
