Ethics Values NRS 101 About Ethics Ethics System

Ethics & Values NRS 101

About Ethics • Ethics – System of moral principles governing behaviors and relationships – Standards of right and wrong • Morality – Private, personal standards of right and wrong • Laws reflect moral values of society • Nurses have ethical responsibility to be client advocates

Values • Values – Personal beliefs about truth and worth of behaviors, thought, objects • Beliefs – Interpretations or conclusion that one accepts as true

Values • Personal values develop from – Individual social traditions – Cultural, ethnic religious norms • Professional values develop from – Socialization into nursing profession – Established code of ethics – Faculty and other nurses – Clinical and life experiences • Values clarification

Professional Values • • • Altruism Autonomy Human dignity Integrity Social justice

Clarifying Client Values • Purpose – Client’s values influence, relate to problem • Processes – List alternatives – Examine possible consequences of choices – Choose freely; feel good about choice – Affirm choice; act on choice – Act with pattern

Principles of Ethical Decision Making • Autonomy • Beneficence - Nonmaleficence • Justice • Veracity

Nursing Codes of Ethics • General codes of ethics • American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses • International Council of Nurses Code of Ethics

Models of Ethical Decision Making • Responsible decision making – Rational – Systematic – Based on ethical principles and codes • Ethical obligations to clients, agency, primary care provider • First step: determine whether moral dilemma exists

Figure 42 -1 When there is a need for ethical decisions of client advocacy, many different people contribute to the final outcome. A. Ramsey/Photo. Edit

Strategies • Strategies to help nurses • National Guideline Clearinghouse • Joint Commission