Ethics & Values

NRS 101

About Ethics• Ethics

– System of moral principles governing behaviors and relationships

– Standards of right and wrong• Morality

– Private, personal standards of right and wrong• Laws reflect moral values of society• Nurses have ethical responsibility to be client

advocates

Values

• Values– Personal beliefs about truth and worth of

behaviors, thought, objects

• Beliefs– Interpretations or conclusion that one accepts as

true

Values• Personal values develop from

– Individual social traditions– Cultural, ethnic religious norms

• Professional values develop from– Socialization into nursing profession– Established code of ethics– Faculty and other nurses– Clinical and life experiences

• Values clarification

Professional Values

• Altruism

• Autonomy

• Human dignity

• Integrity

• Social justice

Clarifying Client Values

• Purpose– Client’s values influence, relate to problem

• Processes – List alternatives

– Examine possible consequences of choices

– Choose freely; feel good about choice

– Affirm choice; act on choice

– Act with pattern

Principles of Ethical Decision Making• Autonomy

• Beneficence

- Nonmaleficence

• Justice

• Veracity

Nursing Codes of Ethics

• General codes of ethics

• American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses

• International Council of Nurses Code of Ethics

Models of Ethical Decision Making

• Responsible decision making– Rational– Systematic– Based on ethical principles and codes

• Ethical obligations to clients, agency, primary care provider

• First step: determine whether moral dilemma exists

Figure 42-1 When there is a need for ethical decisions of client advocacy, many different people contribute to the final outcome. A. Ramsey/PhotoEdit

Strategies

• Strategies to help nurses

• National Guideline Clearinghouse

• Joint Commission