My Nursing Ethics
Values refer to the defined principles that guide different people on the way of life. Values differ depending on the cultures and the different religions to which people associate with. Values define that which is acceptable and that which is not and draws lines between the good and the bad. Values set the standards for various types of organizations, be it religious or business. For example, integrity, honesty, compassion and respect are among some of the many values (Murray, 2010). Morals, on the other hand, can be defined as a set of values which are gained from a higher authority, rather than from within oneself (Edmonson, 2010). The morals influence the values of an organization or an individual. Ethics are actions or decisions which makes one adhere to the set values and morals. When the set values and morals are observed, then that is considered ethical (Murray, 2010).
My cultural, personal and spiritual values that contribute to the worldview and philosophy of nursing are compassion, respect, responsibility, fairness, integrity and honesty. These values shape and guide me in my nursing practice because they assist in adhering to the Nursing Code of ethics. However, in nursing practice, we come across people of different religions whose beliefs and values are different from mine and this presents ethical dilemmas. During such cases, my personal ethics and values are least important as I have to adhere to the nursing ethics while at the same time ensuring that those of the patient are not compromised.
Nursing ethics require that confidentiality be observed in regards to the patients’ conditions. However, there are conditions and situations that present dilemmas in this regard when the medical condition of a patient has to be shared with his/her family. I use my personal views in practice to guide me but in times of dilemma, nursing ethics take precedence.
References
Edmonson, C. (2010). Moral Courage and the Nurse Leader. The American Nurses
Association, 15. 5- 35
Murray, J. S (2010). Moral Courage in Healthcare: Acting Ethically even in the Presence of
Risk. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 15. 1- 20
