Summary Of Ethical Issues In Nursing

1. Ethics is broadly concerned with the human flourishing and wellbeing and the construction and maintenance of a peaceful society in which all may benefit. (Staunton & Chiarella, 2012).
2. Bioethics is the ethical approaches to medicine that must be practical. It must be a systematic approach that uses reason to define what ought or ought not to be done, either as action or process (Staunton & Chiarella, 2012).
3. Nursing ethics are intended to provide definite standards of practice and conduct that are essential to the ethical discharge of the nurse's responsibility. It is a guide to making ethical decision and practice that indicates to the greater community the standards in which nurses are expected to uphold (Nursing and Midwifery Board
Non-maleficence means ‘to do no harm’. This links closely with the principle of bioethics as it asserts and obligation not to inflict harm intentionally (Sundean & McGrath, 2013).
6. Beneficence is the action taken for the benefit of others. Beneficent actions can be taken to help prevent or remove harm, or to simply improve the situation of others (Sher, 2011).
7. Justice is categorised into two meanings, the first being the right to fairness and equality in every situation regardless of social, environmental, educational or cultural background. The second being there is an equal distribution of both burdens and benefits in relation to resources, such as appropriate staffing or a mix of staff to all clients (Antipuesto, 2011).
8. Rights in relation to the nursing profession, recognises the universal human rights of people and the moral responsibility to protect the dignity and equal worth of everyone. This includes recognising, respecting and protecting the wide range of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights that apply to all human beings (Nations, 1978).
9. Civil Law allows us to individually or collectively resolve disputes or differences of a personal and property nature that may arise between members of the community, that we may be unable to resolve ourselves (Staunton & Chiarella,
Defendant the person defending or denying; the party against whom relief or recovery is sought in an action or suit, or the accused in a criminal case (Staunton & Chiarella, 2012).
16. Plaintiff is the party who initiates a lawsuit by filing a complaint against the defendant(s) demanding damages, performance or court determination of rights (Staunton & Chiarella, 2012).
17. Trespass was initially in Tort Law any wrongful conduct directly causing injury or loss, however today it is known as the intrusion to someone’s person or property without consent/permission (Farlex, 2016).
18. Damages are awarded by the court to the plaintiff to compensate the civil wrong committed by the defendant. The purpose of damages is to restore an injured party to the position they were in before being harmed. Damages are calculated by the plaintiff’s loss or injury to property, person and quality of life (Smith, 2015).
19. Harassment is the behaviour that targets an individual or group that offends, humiliates, intimidates or creates a hostile environment (Government, 2009).
20. Assault is an act that creates fear in another person of an impending, harmful, or offensive contact. The act is the threat of harm accompanied by an apparent, present ability to carry out the threat (Staunton & Chiarella,