Ethical Issue
Ethical Issue: breech of being professional
The intention of the code of ethics is to direct and help registered nurses practice ethically safe so no harm can be done to clients (New Zealand Nursing Organisation, 2010). Firstly this essay will describe an issue that was conflicting whilst on clinical placement. Secondly this essay will discuss the ethical principle of being professional which is defined in the code of ethics. Lastly this essay will discuss the importance of a nurse being professional with a patient and how I would change the situation if I was faced with a similar ethical issue.
A patient who had the same beliefs and values as I did therefore we became quite close friends. I had stated that I would bring in a book to read to the patient whose condition had caused her to be blind. As a result the family started to ask me if I would visit the nurse outside of working hours and furthermore invited me to a lunch date. Griffith and Tengnah state that “You must, at all times, maintain appropriate professional boundaries in the relationships you have with patients. You must ensure that all aspects of the relationship focus exclusively upon the needs of the patient or client” (2013).
Being professional is one of the ethical principles stated in the code of ethics for New Zealand nurses to adhere by (2010). As a nurse there are roles to be undertaken whilst maintaining a beneficial and trusting relationship with the patient therefore professional boundaries are required to be set and adhered to (College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia, 2002). Stein-Parbury explains that as a nurse it is sometime a battle to restrict themselves from being a friend rather than a goal driven professional because they can sometimes feel that the role is too mundane and believe that the patient will feel connected to and have lowered anxiety levels if the nurse is the patients friend (2011).
A competent nurse demonstrates the ability to plan, set and cultivate
The intention of the code of ethics is to direct and help registered nurses practice ethically safe so no harm can be done to clients (New Zealand Nursing Organisation, 2010). Firstly this essay will describe an issue that was conflicting whilst on clinical placement. Secondly this essay will discuss the ethical principle of being professional which is defined in the code of ethics. Lastly this essay will discuss the importance of a nurse being professional with a patient and how I would change the situation if I was faced with a similar ethical issue.
A patient who had the same beliefs and values as I did therefore we became quite close friends. I had stated that I would bring in a book to read to the patient whose condition had caused her to be blind. As a result the family started to ask me if I would visit the nurse outside of working hours and furthermore invited me to a lunch date. Griffith and Tengnah state that “You must, at all times, maintain appropriate professional boundaries in the relationships you have with patients. You must ensure that all aspects of the relationship focus exclusively upon the needs of the patient or client” (2013).
Being professional is one of the ethical principles stated in the code of ethics for New Zealand nurses to adhere by (2010). As a nurse there are roles to be undertaken whilst maintaining a beneficial and trusting relationship with the patient therefore professional boundaries are required to be set and adhered to (College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia, 2002). Stein-Parbury explains that as a nurse it is sometime a battle to restrict themselves from being a friend rather than a goal driven professional because they can sometimes feel that the role is too mundane and believe that the patient will feel connected to and have lowered anxiety levels if the nurse is the patients friend (2011).
A competent nurse demonstrates the ability to plan, set and cultivate