Critique on Response #1
The responses made regarding the importance of studying ethics in the profession of an advanced practice nurse was noted to be valid yet very general in nature. More so, in the question which attempted to find out what is to be gained from studying the principles of Ethics and Bioethics, differentiating these fields of discipline was acknowledged but was not qualified. In so doing, one hereby differentiates these two (2) as follows: nursing ethics was defined as a “system of principles concerning the action of the nurse in relationships with patients, families, other health care providers, policy makers, and society” . On the other hand, bioethics was defined as an “interdisciplinary field within health care that has evolved with modern medicine to address questions created as science and technology produce new ways of knowing” . As such, the bioethics principles involve other healthcare practitioners to address ethical concerns that could be encountered in the healthcare setting.
The relevance of studying these fields include knowing the guiding principles that would aid healthcare practitioners in making responsible and right decisions when faced with ethical problems. It is especially important for students and practitioners to be made aware of the ethical principles and code of conduct in various work settings since people in higher authority have been documented to fall prey to ethical issues that apparently violate legal and moral standards. Therefore, students taking the course should be committed in learning from actual experiences so that these ethical violations would not be repeated in contemporary healthcare settings.
Critique on Response #2
The responses to the questions were provided in the most personalized and genuine manner. Recognition on the importance of studying ethics were acknowledged in terms of guiding clinical practice through being made aware on the actions that are within the correct path. In addition, being apprised with bioethical principles were also recognized to assist decision-makers within the healthcare realm to act and behave according to the code of conduct and ethical standards recommended by the American Nurses Association (ANA). As learned, “the Code of Ethics for Nurses was developed as a guide for carrying out nursing responsibilities in a manner consistent with quality in nursing care and the ethical obligations of the profession” .
The expectations from the course were disclosed, including looking forward to finding out the most compelling ethical principles which could impact the health practitioners’ role in the delivery of patient care. As such, it would be immensely beneficial to have provided more details on the expectations, such as learning from past healthcare experiences in real life situations, knowing the repercussions of violating ethical codes, as well as the implications of unethical behavior on the lives of those patients being cared for. In sum, aside from the credits, the course is expected to shed light to healthcare practitioners, especially advanced nurse practitioners and women’s health providers, on signs that should provide warning regarding being exposed to ethical dilemmas and give propensities to violate ethical principles. Despite knowledge of these ethical principles, it was observed that contemporary leaders, managers, and decision-makers still violate these standards and jeopardize the lives of patients and stakeholders in the healthcare setting as well as in other organizational contexts.
References
American Nurses Association. (2016). About Code of Ethics. Retrieved from nursingworld.org: http://www.nursingworld.org/codeofethics
Ternopil State Medical University. (2002). Ethical and Bioethical Issues in Nursing and Health Care. Retrieved from tdmu.edu.ua: intranet.tdmu.edu.ua//Contemporary%20Issues%20in%20Nursing/L8%20-%20Ethi
