3 hours ago, at 6:32 PM NEW

Delivering nursing care that complies with legal requirements, ethical standards, and other guidelines is known as ethical nursing practice. It is a model of care founded on the fundamental values of respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Respect for autonomy calls for nurses to uphold the patient’s right to self-determination and autonomy and to give them the accurate information they need to make decisions about their care. In contrast to non-maleficence, which is the duty to prevent harm, beneficence is the responsibility to promote patients’ well-being by giving them the best care possible. Nurses must treat everyone fairly and equally and ensure that no one is denied access to care because of bias or prejudice.

My definition of ethical nursing practice is based on the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements, which serves as the cornerstone of professional nursing practice. The nurse’s duty to uphold the rights, dignity, and worth of every person is emphasized by this code. It outlines the nurse’s responsibility to deliver competent, evidence-based care and to promote access to high-quality healthcare for all people.

Legal and ethical nursing practices differ because legal nursing practice is based on laws, rules, and policies, whereas ethical nursing practice is based on moral principles. Legal nursing practice is concerned with adhering to rules, regulations, and policies, whereas ethical nursing practice concerns a person’s moral principles. In contrast to ethical nursing practice, which focuses on doing what is right, legal nursing practice is concerned with avoiding legal repercussions.

A situation in which a patient’s wishes conflict with the nurse’s professional judgment is one ethical or bioethical conundrum a nurse may run into. For instance, a patient might decline a recommended treatment—like a blood transfusion—even if the nurse feels it is necessary. In this situation, the nurse must uphold the ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence and respect the patient’s right to autonomy and self-determination. The nurse must consider the pros and cons of the proposed course of action and give the patient truthful, unbiased information. Additionally, regardless of the outcome, the nurse must offer compassionate care and support the patient’s decision.

Reference(s)

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. American Nurses Association.

Catalano, J. T. (2019). Nursing Now (8th ed.). F. A. Davis Company. Retrieved from https://ambassadored.vitalsource.com/books/9781719641258