Professional Moral and Ethical Values/Concepts
In this reflective assessment you will be exploring professional moral and ethical values/concepts and how they relate to nursing practice.
From the list below select eight values and ethical concepts that align with what you value and determine where they fit into the Code of Ethics for Nurses and Interpretive Statements. Be specific in identifying the value or ethical concept and which provision and interpretive statement there is a fit. Explain why you selected the value or ethical concept and why there is a fit.
Acceptance
Allegiance
Authentic
Citizenship
Commitment
Concern
Courage
Dedication
Duty
Empathy
Equality
Ethics
Fairness
Faith
Forgiveness
Genuine
Goodness
Hope
Joy
Justice
Liberty
Love
Loyalty
Mercy
Peace
Perseverance
Prudence
Reason
Resourcefulness
Respect
Sincerity
Stewardship
Tolerance
Trust
Truth
Understanding
Values
Virtue
Wisdom
Work
Grading Rubric:
Written Assignment – Professional Moral and Ethical Values/Concepts
Scoring Rubric:
Identified ethical concept 1 and explained in detail rationale for selection and how the concept fit into the Code of Ethics for Nurses and Interpretive Statements. (Point 1)
Professional Moral and Ethical Values/Concepts
Identified ethical concept 2 and explained in detail rationale for selection and how the concept fit into the Code of Ethics for Nurses and Interpretive Statements. (Point 1)
Identified ethical concept 3 and explained in detail rationale for selection and how the concept fit into the Code of Ethics for Nurses and Interpretive Statements. (Point 1)
Identified ethical concept 4 and explained in detail rationale for selection and how the concept fit into the Code of Ethics for Nurses and Interpretive Statements. (Point 1)
Identified ethical concept 5 and explained in detail rationale for selection and how the concept fit into the Code of Ethics for Nurses and Interpretive Statements. (Point 1)
Identified ethical concept 6 and explained in detail rationale for selection and how the concept fit into the Code of Ethics for Nurses and Interpretive Statements. (Point 1)
Identified ethical concept 7 and explained in detail rationale for selection and how the concept fit into the Code of Ethics for Nurses and Interpretive Statements. (Point 1)
Identified ethical concept 8 and explained in detail rationale for selection and how the concept fit into the Code of Ethics for Nurses and Interpretive Statements. (Point 1)
Less than 3 grammar/spelling errors which do not detract from the readability of the document. APA format. Used subheadings. (Point 2)
Total of Points 10
Professional Moral and Ethical Values/concepts
The profession of nursing encompasses the prevention of illnesses, alleviation of human suffering as a result of pain or any other factor, as well as the protection, restoration, and promotion of health. Nurses’ clients can be individuals, families, communities, or a large population (Turner, 2018). It is evident in the nurses’ commitment towards the welfare of those that are bed-ridden, injured, and other vulnerable members of the community (Fowler, 2019). Therefore, nurses are bound to have some moral values which guide them in dispatching their duties. This paper will focus on eight values that I resonate with and offer explanations on where they belong concerning the code of ethics for nurse and interpretive statements.
Commitment is one of the values that I hold in high regard. I believe that nurses should be committed to the patient, individual, group, community, or the family. When designing plans of care to patients, they should always reflect the fundamental commitment to the unique nature, worth, and dignity of the patient (Gurney, Gillespie, McMahon & Kolbuk, 2017). This ethical value fits into provision 2 regarding the relationship that nurses should have with patients.
Respect: I believe that nurses should have regard for everybody that the nurses interact with and should show commitment to fair treatment, which is my next ethical concept is respect. Nurses work in a wide range of settings, and therefore, should create a pleasant environment coupled with a culture of kindness (Gurney, Gillespie, McMahon & Kolbuk, 2017). I wouldn’t say I like such behaviors as violence, harassment, a manipulation, which are morally unacceptable.
Understanding is one of the virtues that I have developed over the years. I believe that when patients behave in a particular way, nurses should have the capacity to understand the rationale behind it. It belongs to the provision three of the Code of Ethics and Interpretive statements.
Duty: As a nurse, I have a responsibility to accept or reject role demands as well as assignments whose basis are education and competence coupled with proper assessments of patient safety. On top of that, the duty to self and others in the sense of the tax that we owe to ourselves, means that we should also do it to other people (Gurney, Gillespie, McMahon & Kolbuk, 2017). The virtue of commitment belongs to the responsibility of nursing judgments, decisions, and actions, which is under provision 4 of the code of ethics for the nurses.
Virtue: Virtue as a concept is defined as a universal, learned, and habitual attribute concerning the moral character of an individual, which predisposes them to do what is right. As a nurse, I feel it is essential to such virtues as knowledge, skill, wisdom, compassion, and be courageous (Olson & Stokes, 2016). I believe that I have the responsibility of creating a morally favorable environment, which makes it possible for the nurses to be virtuous. This value belongs to the provision number 6 under the environment and moral virtue as well as value Turner, 2018).
Ethics: Nurses should adhere to the moral principles that guide the profession. Being ethical is part of the elements of the nursing profession, and I believe that acting contrary to that can lead to tainting the image of the profession. It belongs to provision 6 of the code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements.
Dedication: Nurses should be dedicated to the betterment of the profession through research and inquiry. I value commitment in the sense that nurses should be committed to patients/participants’ welfare throughout the research process (Olson & Stokes, 2016). The value belongs to provision 7 (Turner, 2018).
Justice: It is worth noting that professional nursing organizations air the collective voice of nurses to shape healthcare. I believe that nurses should be on the lookout and take necessary measures to influence the legislative government bodies in addressing the social factors that affect health.
In summary, as a nurse, I have it in my mind that I should always be respectful to the patients and my colleagues. Moreover, I should be committed to making sure that patients receive the quality of care. On top of that, it is deeply ingrained in my mind that nursing professional organizations speak for all members of the profession so that justice prevails.
References
Fowler, M. D. (2019). In the Beginning… There Was Nursing Ethics. Journal of Christian Nursing, 36(1), 14.
Gurney, D., Gillespie, G. L., McMahon, M. P., & Kolbuk, M. E. (2017). Nursing Code of Ethics: Provisions and Interpretative Statements for Emergency Nurses. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 43(6), 497-503.
Olson, L. L., & Stokes, F. (2016). The ANA code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements: Resource for nursing regulation. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 7(2), 9-20.
Turner, M. (2018). If It Is Newsworthy, It Is Ethics-Worthy: Living in the Code of Ethics for Nurses. Creative nursing, 24(3), 143-151.
