Nursing Values & Ethical Responsibilities
1. Provide safe, compassionate, competent and ethical care
2. Promote health and well-being
3. Promote and respect informed decision-making
4. Honor dignity
5. Maintain privacy and confidentiality
6. Promote justice
7. Be accountable
In nursing school I remember having to memorize the seven nursing values above. They have been so deeply ingrained that that any decision made as a nurse will be dictated by the nursing values. At times, ethical dilemmas arise and the right decision seems ambiguous, although making reference to the nursing values and ethical responsibilities eases the process of decision-making. Furthermore, consulting nurse leaders or experienced nurses can help the nurse dealing with an ethical dilemma to come to a final decision.
As mentioned above, the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses is a document created by nurses to inform nurses about ethical values and responsibilities (2017). The code of ethics arises from different schools of thought and it has a practical orientation supported by theoretical diversity (“Code of ethics for registered nurses”, 2017). The code was created as part of a regulatory process that serves and protects the public. What is beneficial about having a specific code of obligations is that it serves as a relatively concrete guide for ethical behaviors, relationships and decision-making (“Code of ethics for registered nurses”, 2017). In addition, the code is used together with professional standards, laws and regulations that guide nursing practice.
An ethical dilemma to think about:
You are caring for a patient who has been newly diagnosed with HIV during his hospitalization. You notice his children and wife visit every day. One day, you ask the patient if he has informed his family about his recent diagnosis and the patient tells you he does not want to tell his wife any time soon, but he will one day.
What do you do?
What nursing values come into play?
What are your professional obligations and responsibilities as a nurse in this situation?
Reference:
Code of ethics for registered nurses. (2017). Canadian Nurses Association, (17), 1-44. Retrieved January 21, 2018, from https://www.cna-aiic.ca/~/media/cna/page-content/pdf-en/code-of-ethics-2017-edition-secure-interactive.pdf?la=en.