Introduction to Nursing Ethics 2011 PDF

Introduction to Nursing Ethics By: Khozima Mohammed Department of Fundamental Nursing Faculty of nursing sciences Alneelain university nursing ethics 2011 2 Objectives Understand the concept of ethics and professional values Explore the importance of nursing ethics i...

Introduction to Nursing Ethics By: Khozima Mohammed Department of Fundamental Nursing Faculty of nursing sciences Alneelain university nursing ethics 2011 2 Objectives Understand the concept of ethics and professional values Explore the importance of nursing ethics in practice Differentiate between ethics and law Brief overview of the history of nursing ethics  Background Nurse’s primary commitment (promise)is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group or community. The nurse promotes(encourage), advocates ( support) for, and strives (makes every effort) to protect the health, safety and rights of the patient  Early Nursing Early nursing ethics was practiced in medieval nunneries and Church-run hospitals. Nuns treated patients and depended on Christian ethics to guide them.  Early Modern Nursing In the early 20th century, nurses struggled against the belief that they were only assistants to physicians, rather than professionals in their own right. At the same time, the ethical code of nursing became a patient-focused ideal, teaching patients to care for themselves whether their condition could be cured or not.  Background Nurse’s primary commitment (promise)is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group or community. The nurse promotes(encourage), advocates ( support) for, and strives (makes every effort) to protect the health, safety and rights of the patient  Transition of Nursing During the 1960s and 1970s, nursing became a profession rather than a job, distinct from all other health care professions. Nursing ethics focused on being an advocate for the patient and his needs.  Introduction to ethics Our care for patients should be based on sound judgement (or evidence based practice!!)..some of this judgement is about having a strong sense of what is right or wrong..having a strong sense of what we should be doing and shouldn’t be doing as nurses..having a strong sense of what our priorities ought to be  What is an ‘ethical issue’? When you have to judge what is right or wrong Choosing between options Deciding whether to do something or do nothing Should I or shouldn’t? Weighing up the potential impact of your decisions or actions A dilemma – making a difficult choice  The history of nursing ethics Nursing ethics are concerned primarily with patient health , while medicine in general is concerned with cures. This makes nursing ethics unique in the field, whole-patient focused rather than disease-focused  Nursing Ethics Today Today, nurses are often primary caregivers, independent of physicians. Modern nursing ethicists focus on holistic treatment of patients, assertion of patient rights, and the treatment of nurses as health care professionals, not subordinates.  Definition of Ethics Definition: Ethics refers to the principles that govern a person's behavior or the conduct of an activity. Key Concepts: Morality vs Ethics Personal and professional ethics Importance in healthcare  Definition of Nursing Ethics A system of principle governing the conduct of a nurse ,it deal with a relationship of the nurse to the patient ,the patient families ,associate and fellow nurses and society at large. Definition of Professional Values in Nursing Professional Values: Integrity Compassion Respect Advocacy Accountability  Importance of Nursing Ethics Ensures Patient Safety: Ethical practice protects patients' rights and dignity. Guides Clinical Decisions: Helps nurses handle difficult situations with integrity. Promotes Trust: Builds confidence between nurses, patients, and families. Maintains Professionalism: Upholds the standards of the nursing profession.  Difference Between Ethics and Law Aspect Ethics Law Principles of right and wrong System of rules enforced by Definition behavior institutions Focus Moral obligations and values Legal obligations and rules Example Maintaining patient confidentiality HIPAA regulations in the US History of Nursing Ethics Early Foundations: Florence Nightingale’s influence Establishment of nursing codes of ethics Modern Developments: Introduction of ethical frameworks (e.g., ANA Code of Ethics) Evolving role of ethics in response to healthcare challenges Summary Ethics and professional values are fundamental to nursing. Nursing ethics ensure quality care and patient trust. Differentiating between ethics and law is crucial for practice