Ethical Principle of Justice in Nursing: Real-Life Examples for LPNs

The ethical principle of justice in nursing is one of the most important values every future LPN must understand. It teaches nurses to provide fair, equal, and unbiased care to all patients, no matter their background, condition, or personal beliefs. Students enrolled in licensed practical nursing schools learn that justice means more than following rules. It includes treating people with respect, giving equal access to care, and making decisions that protect patient rights.

The ethical principle also guides LPNs when they distribute time, resources, and attention during busy shifts. By learning how to apply fairness in real clinical situations, LPNs develop strong professional judgment and a confident approach to patient care. The ethical principle becomes the foundation for safe practice, trust-building, and ethical decision-making throughout an LPN’s career.

Ethical Principle of Justice in Nursing

1. Distributive Justice 

Distributive justice means providing nursing care, time, and resources in a fair and balanced way. In healthcare settings, LPNs often face situations where many patients need attention at the same time. This principle guides nurses to decide based on patient needs, safety, and urgency instead of personal feelings. If two patients call for help, the nurse must assess who is at greater risk and respond in a fair order. It also applies to physical items such as wound supplies, IV pumps, or educational materials. 

2. Procedural Justice 

Procedural justice focuses on using the same rules and procedures for every patient. This means LPNs must follow hospital policies consistently to keep care safe and predictable. When protocols like medication timing, wound assessment steps, fall-risk checks, or hand hygiene rules are followed the same way for everyone, patients receive equal protection. This principle builds trust because patients know they are being treated with the same level of care as everyone else. It also helps new nurses stay confident by using structure and clear guidelines in every situation.

3. Interactional Justice

Interactional justice is about respectful communication and treating patients with kindness, dignity, and honesty. This principle reminds LPNs that fairness is not only about actions but also about how they speak and behave. Patients should feel heard, valued, and safe when interacting with a nurse. This includes explaining procedures clearly, listening to concerns without judgment, and showing patience even when a patient is upset or anxious. Interactional justice in nursing helps nurses avoid favoritism and unprofessional behavior. 

4. Social Justice 

Social justice means giving equal care and respect to all patients, no matter their race, culture, gender identity, economic status, disability, language, or religion. LPNs must be aware of personal biases and work to provide care that is free from discrimination. This principle teaches nurses to ensure every patient receives the same level of attention and treatment options. It also includes offering culturally sensitive care, such as understanding dietary restrictions, preferred communication styles, or religious practices. 

5. Restorative Justice 

Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm, rebuilding trust, and restoring the relationship between nurse and patient when something goes wrong. If a mistake happens or a patient feels disrespected, LPNs must handle the situation with honesty and responsibility. This may include explaining what occurred, apologizing sincerely, and taking steps to prevent the issue from happening again. Restorative justice strengthens patient trust and shows that nurses value accountability. 

How LPNs Apply Justice in Real Life?

LPNs use justice every day in patient care, especially during medication rounds, documentation, prioritization, and resource distribution. For example, when multiple patients need pain medication, the nurse must follow the timing schedules fairly. When documenting, the nurse must write accurate, unbiased information. During clinical rotations, LPNs must balance time equally between patients who need assessments, hygiene care, and emotional support. Applying justice builds trust and ensures equal care for everyone.

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Conclusion

The ethical principle of justice in nursing teaches LPNs to provide fair, equal, and unbiased care in all situations. Whether training in accredited LPN programs in chicago or anywhere else, LPNs must use distributive, procedural, interactional, social, and restorative justice to ensure every patient receives safe and respectful care. Practicing justice strengthens the profession and protects patient rights.