LIBAO, Kevin L.

BSN2-F5:30-6:30

Becoming an Ethical Nurse

End-of-life decisions are an essential area that nurses must be aware of and be able to make
important decisions for the patient and to the patient. Nurses are in charge of promoting health
and helping empower patients with their treatment and progress of care by giving them the
authority and decision making on what actions they want. This power is one of their rights in
deciding what they want for their health. We are pressed to face the difficulty that involves their
life and assure it according to the laws of our profession. Problems are always associated with
the decisions arising from conflicts, and this is what makes us be ethical nurses.

Milliken (2015) stated that awareness of ethical obligation is necessary before moral and ethical
action can take place. For us to be competent in dealing with ethical issues must first become
ethical aware, and being ethical sensitive allows nurses to recognize ethical sensitivity for moral
actions. The journey in becoming ethically-equipped has a lot of challenges that help us equip
the needed necessary wisdom to address ethical problems. Once we become professionals, I must
be ready for this journey. That is why as aspiring future nurses, we must not only be equipped
with the proper knowledge and skills needed in the area but also fundamental understanding in
dealing with ethical issues that may affect the patient’s treatment of care. To be competent in the
area, we, as student nurses, are given founding knowledge and understanding of the importance
of learning it through the subject of Nursing Ethics. Introduction to the different principles,
rights, and laws helps us be aware of the possibilities and relevance of our work in saving lives.
Currently, we are presented with case scenarios and are given the implications of our chosen
decisions and other opportunities that we can apply for adequate care. Various studies have
shown a positive effect of implementing ethical empowerment programs to nurses in guiding
them with actions they are to perform. Jamshidian (2018) has highlighted its significance in
helping nurses in promoting critical decision-making, and that is effective for prolonged learning
and application. Yeom (2016) has shown support to the implementation of it through lectures as
not only were it useful for increasing patient-oriented care, which implies the importance of
appropriate actions and decisions to patient’s wellbeing. Understanding the circumstances of
patients and taking into consideration their case and available options for them to follow. As
stated by Flannery (2016), individual patient factors make patients have different decisions
regarding their situation. To become an ethical nurse, rationalization on the demands of the
patient in their treatment and thinking on what will be best for them, including their physical,
mental, emotional, financial, and spiritual state.
In deciding the proper actions to be done, we must not be rash in deciding and must first be
rational on the implications of the available decisions. We must first be aware of preserving their
privacy and rights, and the most important is to be able to maintain their life and what will surely
benefit them. Personal religion and moral beliefs of doctors that may not align with the nurses
were pointed out by Flannery (2016), which also leads to a difference in treatment. Cultural
sensitivity must also be imposed and not go against the cultural values of the patient. Give the
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risks and benefits of their decisions and not rely on only one option. Another problem that must
also be addressed in applying ethical decisions is the disunity of the health team in their giving of
care. Unity is needed to become efficient and effective to fulfill the needs of the patient as they
face their problems and be able to meet a happy ending or the next chapter in their life.
Given the significant importance of decision-making for critically ill patients comes the
responsibility of the nurse in helping the patient, family, and healthcare team promote
compassion and care to their needs. Laws are enacted to help guide practitioners to determine the
practical actions that will go according to their consent, beneficence, and autonomy. An ethical
nurse is a must for critical scenarios, and choosing the appropriate decisions will result in
fulfilling the best for the patient, family, and healthcare team.
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References:
Flannery, L., Ramjan, L. M., & Peters, K. (2016). End-of-life decisions in the Intensive Care
Unit (ICU) – Exploring the experiences of ICU nurses and doctors – A critical
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