Why Values Are Important In Nursing Practice
A value is something that is held to an individual with importance. It can also be described as a principle or standard of behaviour which someone uses to guide them to show them what is important in their personal and professional lives. In nursing, nurses will be faced with all sorts of issues and situations however the way every nurse deals with a problem that arises will be different based on the values they have and moral standpoint that they decide to take. In this essay however, I will be looking at the value of life, individual freedom or autonomy and justice or fairness and how these values are important to me as well as how they are relevant to nursing practice.
My first value is the value of life. The value of life means individuals …show more content…
One value that contradicts these two values is conscientious objection. With the current legislation, it does not allow a nurse or midwife to conscientiously object to the provision of treatment to patients under Article 4(2) of the Abortion Act 1967 England, Scotland, Wales and under Article 38(2) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. Conscientious objection however relates to controversial issues like sanctity of life which will always lead to a difference in opinion amongst people due to different moral beliefs and standpoints. For nurses however, it is always the patient’s choice that will come before the nurse’s belief as the role of a nurse is to be an advocate for the patient. If the patient chooses to do something against what the nurse believes in, the nurse should respect the patient’s decision unless otherwise, for example, if the patient does not have the capacity to make their own decision about their own healthcare or treatment then nurses are able to make a compromise and should speak to the legal guardian acting on the behalf of the patient instead. However, the choices made for the patient should always be in the best interest of the patient and should try to make a positive impact on their life as a whole.
Overall, values are very important to an individual as they can influence moral behaviour and the decisions we decide to make in life. They act as
My first value is the value of life. The value of life means individuals …show more content…
One value that contradicts these two values is conscientious objection. With the current legislation, it does not allow a nurse or midwife to conscientiously object to the provision of treatment to patients under Article 4(2) of the Abortion Act 1967 England, Scotland, Wales and under Article 38(2) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. Conscientious objection however relates to controversial issues like sanctity of life which will always lead to a difference in opinion amongst people due to different moral beliefs and standpoints. For nurses however, it is always the patient’s choice that will come before the nurse’s belief as the role of a nurse is to be an advocate for the patient. If the patient chooses to do something against what the nurse believes in, the nurse should respect the patient’s decision unless otherwise, for example, if the patient does not have the capacity to make their own decision about their own healthcare or treatment then nurses are able to make a compromise and should speak to the legal guardian acting on the behalf of the patient instead. However, the choices made for the patient should always be in the best interest of the patient and should try to make a positive impact on their life as a whole.
Overall, values are very important to an individual as they can influence moral behaviour and the decisions we decide to make in life. They act as