Professional Ethics
Professional Ethics
“Nurses represent the largest group of health care professionals” (Sarikonda-Woitas & Robinson, 2002, p. 72). Professional nurses are accountable for his or her ethical conduct. Medical professionals have a legal and ethical responsibility to deliver safe, quality care taking into account the patients’ individual needs and allowing self-determination. The nursing codes of ethics are formal statements guiding professional conduct and informing the public of the nursing professions commitment and beliefs. This nursing code of ethics along with specific state law nurse practice acts, guide nurses in practicing safely within legal and ethical boundaries. Wacker Guido (2006) stated, “Ethics, like values, is individualistic” (p. 2).
Legal and Ethical Relationships
Wacker Guido (2006) stated, “The disciplines of law and professional nursing have been officially integrated since the first mandatory nurse practice act was passed by the New York legislature in 1938” (p. 15). Laws are created to govern the public. According to "Dictionary.com" (n.d.), “the legal system interprets and enforces laws” (legal system). When a person violates a law his or her freedom is at risk and can be taken from him or her. Wacker Guido (2006) stated, “Created by individuals and capable of being changed, the legal system is a general foundation that gives continuing guidance to health care providers, regardless of their personal views and value system” (p. 3). Ethics are based on a framework of values, philosophies and can be interpreted differently by individuals (Wacker Guido, 2006). Ethics can be defined as beliefs, standards, or morals accepted and agreed upon by a specific group. The "American Nursing Association" (2001) website code of ethics with interpretive statements advises that each individual nurse is responsible for his or her own individual practice. It would not be outside the realm of consideration that he or she may have a legal action, that
“Nurses represent the largest group of health care professionals” (Sarikonda-Woitas & Robinson, 2002, p. 72). Professional nurses are accountable for his or her ethical conduct. Medical professionals have a legal and ethical responsibility to deliver safe, quality care taking into account the patients’ individual needs and allowing self-determination. The nursing codes of ethics are formal statements guiding professional conduct and informing the public of the nursing professions commitment and beliefs. This nursing code of ethics along with specific state law nurse practice acts, guide nurses in practicing safely within legal and ethical boundaries. Wacker Guido (2006) stated, “Ethics, like values, is individualistic” (p. 2).
Legal and Ethical Relationships
Wacker Guido (2006) stated, “The disciplines of law and professional nursing have been officially integrated since the first mandatory nurse practice act was passed by the New York legislature in 1938” (p. 15). Laws are created to govern the public. According to "Dictionary.com" (n.d.), “the legal system interprets and enforces laws” (legal system). When a person violates a law his or her freedom is at risk and can be taken from him or her. Wacker Guido (2006) stated, “Created by individuals and capable of being changed, the legal system is a general foundation that gives continuing guidance to health care providers, regardless of their personal views and value system” (p. 3). Ethics are based on a framework of values, philosophies and can be interpreted differently by individuals (Wacker Guido, 2006). Ethics can be defined as beliefs, standards, or morals accepted and agreed upon by a specific group. The "American Nursing Association" (2001) website code of ethics with interpretive statements advises that each individual nurse is responsible for his or her own individual practice. It would not be outside the realm of consideration that he or she may have a legal action, that
References: American Nursing Association. (2001). Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org Beech, M. (2007, Jan/Feb). Confidentiality in health care: Conflicting legal and ethical issues. Nursing Standard, 21(21), 42-46. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.apolloglibarary.com Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com Milton, C.L. (2008, October). Accountability in nursing: Reflecting on ethical codes and professional standards of nursing practice from a global perspective. Nursing Science Quarterly, 21(4), 300-303. doi:10.1177/0894318408324314 Sarikonda-Woitas, C., & Robinson, J.H. (2002, Summer). Ethical health care policy: Nursing 's voice in allocation. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 26(4), 72-80. Retrieved from http://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com Wacker Guido, G. (2006). Legal & ethical issues in nursing (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.