4 Ethical Dilemmas Confronted in Nursing Practice

Ethics issues arise when decisions should be made, but the options available are not optimal, and the answers are unclear. This could lead to a decline in patient care and connections with physicians that are stressful and ethically problematic.

LPNs, before taking on a manager role, should be aware of the importance of ethical decision-making in their day-to-day tasks. Nursing students can learn from pre – requisites courses of night and weekend nursing programs (LPN program) for evidence-based practice at Verve College of Nursing (a private school in the United States) & can get real-world clinical experience.

Code of Ethics for Nurses

In 1950, the ANA adopted its first Code of Ethics. Since then, the code has been revised to reflect changes and advances in technology, research, law, and vocational nursing. The recommendations are split into nine sections that address subjects like human rights, confidentiality, and moral virtue. ANA stated that each provision covers essential topics for the challenges facing practical nursing in the 21st Century.

The code is especially useful in the current healthcare environment because it supports the core principles and identifies limitations of devotion and service. It also describes caregivers’ duties beyond specific patient interactions,” ANA stated in a press release.

Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing

The ANA Code of Nursing Ethics is a standard vocational nurse managers can use to analyze moral questions within professional nursing. How it deals with ethical dilemmas may vary depending on the situation. An ethical dilemma can arise in healthcare facilities when health care workers are not adequately equipped to perform their duties. When healthcare providers notice their coworkers are not properly trained, they are in a moral bind about whether to bring it up with their manager.

Establishing patient boundaries is one example of ethical dilemmas in nursing. It can be challenging for caregivers and professional nurse managers to set boundaries because they devote their nursing careers to helping patients & getting the long-term care they need. Best nursing schools in Illinois also help to learn how to maintain boundaries & keep up to date in ethical practice & pass the NCLEX-PN exam. Patients shouldn’t rely on nurses for more than their professional ability, and they should avoid romantic relationships or giving them gifts. Nurse managers may intervene when patients or healthcare teams cross ethical and professional boundaries.

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A second ethical concern in nursing is the privacy of patients. Nurses and client information and medical records are accessible to healthcare supervisors. Histories are not allowed to ethically or legally disclose this information to anyone other than the patient. Nurses must always have their patient’s best interests in mind. They should protect the privacy of medical records and patient information.

Examples of Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing and Typical Ethical Circumstances for Nurse Managers

Here are some more examples of ethical dilemmas in nursing that nurses face.

• Authenticity versus concealing facts: Parents may wish to keep medical information away from sick patients to protect their feelings. Patients are entitled to information regarding their medical status. Deciding how to share the information with family members can be challenging, especially when it contradicts their beliefs. The ANA promotes truth-telling, or integrity, as essential to nurse-patient interactions.
• Science vs. Spirituality: Healthcare that is academic and focused on outcomes interferes with spiritual or subjective conviction. Some religions limit healthcare professional’s ability to provide medical care to relieve suffering and allow patients to focus on self-care.
• Healthcare needs vs. resource allocation. Nurse managers are increasingly at odds with budget constraints and patient demands due to rising healthcare costs. Many medical facilities are under-resourced, preventing patients from receiving the nursing care they require. The resources can range from medical personnel to equipment.
• Autonomy vs. beneficence. Patients can refuse to take prescribed medication, even though nurses are legally required. Patient autonomy may go despite clearly stated requirements, and people often go against medical guidance. Patients are entitled to refuse any medical treatment. ANA emphasizes that nurses and nurse managers must understand patients’ backgrounds and circumstances to explain the medical necessity to them. “

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Nursing Ethical Problems and How to Solve Them?

You may have noticed that some of the “solutions” provided in the ethical dilemmas in nursing listed above are best done by putting the Nurse’s Code of Ethics ahead of what you feel is the right decision influenced by your emotions and feelings. However, If you want to  become a licensed practical nurse, you are required to follow the Nurse’s Code of Ethics,

The code was developed by professionals who faced similar dilemmas and pondered what to do. You are required to follow the provisions of the code. When the code is challenged, it is important to always respect the patient’s wishes and follow the rules.