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FIND MSN PROGRAMSFIND MSN PROGRAMSWritten By: Darby Faubion BSN, RN Are you a nurse with a genuine desire to give the best care possible to patients and their families and to become a strong member of your nursing team? Maybe you are a nursing student eager to learn as much as possible to help you succeed in nursing. If so, the most important lesson you can learn is how to establish ethical nursing practices. There are several ways to demonstrate strong ethics, and knowing the main ethical principles of nursing is a great place to start. Perhaps you are wondering, "What are the 7 main ethical principles in nursing, and why they are important?” In this article, you will learn about ethical nursing principles and how they apply to you. As you continue reading, you will find an in-depth look at the 7 main ethical principles in nursing, why they’re important, and examples of how they are applied in the four main areas of nursing. RECOMMENDED ONLINE MSN PROGRAMSWhat Exactly Is An Ethical Principle In Nursing?An ethical principle refers to the general judgments serving as justification for a person's behavior or actions. Ethical principles in nursing are the foundation upon which nursing actions are based. They describe what is expected of nurses in terms of right and wrong, good and bad, and correct and incorrect. What Is The Source Of Ethical Principles In Nursing?The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics is the source of ethical principles in nursing. The Code of Ethics was established as a guide for carrying out nursing responsibilities in ways consistent with the ethical obligations of the profession, promoting quality patient care. 7 Reasons Why Ethical Principles Are So Important In NursingEthical principles in nursing provide a framework for assessing the behavior of nurses in practice. 1. Using ethical principles as the foundation of practice assists nurses in making good judgment calls. 2. Ethical principles in nursing guide nurses in providing high-quality care within the laws that govern nursing practices. 3. Nurses who work within the guidelines of ethical principles support the emotional, physical, and mental health of each patient, acting with their best interest in mind. 4. Applying principles of ethics in nursing is beneficial to developing strong nurse-patient and interdisciplinary relationships, which is essential for collaboration and quality patient care. 5. Patients cared for by nurses with solid ethical standards are typically more compliant than those whose nurses disregard ethical principles. When patients are compliant with prescribed health and nursing care plans, they experience improved health outcomes. 6. Ethical nursing practices help reduce risks to patient and nursing safety. Because the ethical principles of nursing focus on acceptable behaviors and promoting the welfare of others, nurses who demonstrate these behaviors are instrumental in reducing patient and staff safety risks. 7. Healthcare organizations that have nurses who exercise ethical nursing principles typically have higher patient satisfaction scores, higher employee satisfaction, and lower employee turnover rates. How Many Ethical Principles Are There In Nursing?Sources vary regarding the actual number of ethical principles in nursing. Any behavior that is honorable and professional, upon which a set of rules is established, may be considered an ethical principle. For the purposes of this article, we will discuss the following seven main ethical principles all nurses should demonstrate: 1. Accountability Are There Any Conflicting Ethical Principles In Nursing?Perhaps the most common conflict regarding ethical principles in nursing is the one that arises between the patient’s right to autonomy versus the nurse’s responsibility to practice under the principle of beneficence. Autonomy is the right of competent adults to make decisions about their medical care based on informed consent. The nurse must find a way to balance autonomy and beneficence by facilitating open communication, educating the patient, and finding ways to manage care that satisfies the patient and goes along with standards of ethical practices. WHAT ARE THE 7 MAIN ETHICAL PRINCIPLES IN NURSING AND WHY THEY ARE IMPORTANT?There are seven primary ethical principles of nursing: accountability, justice, nonmaleficence, autonomy, beneficence, fidelity, and veracity. The following is detailed information about the seven ethical principles in nursing, why they are important, and examples of ways to apply them in the four main areas of nursing: clinical practice, nursing leadership, nursing education, and nursing research.
5 Most Common Challenges You Will Face While Applying The 7 Ethical Principles In Nursing And How To Overcome ThemEven the most experienced nurses face challenges related to ethical principles in nursing. Identifying challenges and knowing how to overcome them is key to nursing success. The following are a few of the most common challenges you will face when you apply the seven ethical principles in nursing featured in this article, along with suggestions for how to overcome them. Challenge #1: Knowing where to draw the line between autonomy and beneficenceWhat is it:Autonomy vs. Beneficence is one of the most common challenges related to ethical principles in nursing. Autonomy deals with respecting the patient's wishes, while beneficence means doing what is good and right for the patient. Both principles are important and should be upheld. The challenge arises when the patient's wishes and what the nurse feels is best for the patient do not agree. How to Overcome:Legal precedents declare patient autonomy is the most important ethical principle between autonomy and beneficence. The only time exceptions to this rule apply is if the patient is a minor or lacks the ability to make informed decisions. If the patient's wishes conflict with what medical professionals feel is in the patient's best interest, nurses and other healthcare workers should make every effort to educate the patient and ensure his understanding of the implications of their decisions. However, if the patient is competent and of legal age, his wishes must be upheld. Challenge #2: Deciding whether to withhold information or be honest about a patient’s status or prognosisWhat is it:Veracity is the ethical nursing principle associated with truthfulness. Although it is appropriate to be completely honest with patients, it is not uncommon for nurses to face issues that make them question if withholding information may be the better option. How to Overcome:Nurses are obligated to be honest with patients, even if the outcome of truthfulness leads to distress or sadness. It may be easier to approach difficult conversations or situations if you have a charge nurse with you. Also, if the patient has a family member or loved one who can be present with them, it may make it easier for them to deal with the situation. Challenge #3: Supporting Autonomy Related to Informed ConsentWhat is it:Autonomy deals with the patient's right to make decisions for himself, based on his own wants or needs. Challenges to patient autonomy may arise related to informed consent if the nurse is concerned that a patient or their family has not been properly informed about a treatment or procedure or that they do not understand the information provided. How to Overcome:Nurses can overcome this challenge by asking the patient and/or family questions about the education they received and offering them opportunities to ask questions and clarify any information. The nurse should ensure the patient understands details of the treatment plans, benefits and risks, and expected outcomes. This allows the patient to maintain a sense of autonomy while the nurse ensures the patient has been properly informed. Challenge #4: Keeping Promises When Your Circumstances ChangeWhat is it:Fidelity is an important aspect in developing and maintaining strong nurse-patient and interprofessional relationships. Nurses may face challenges with fidelity for several reasons. For example, if the nurse promises to follow up or check on a patient and they are suddenly transferred to another department unless proper follow-through occurs, the patient can feel neglected. How to Overcome:If you give your word to do something for a patient, family member, or team member, it is best to keep your word if possible. However, if circumstances are beyond your control, you can still uphold fidelity by notifying you're the person of your situation. You may need to tell a patient you have been reassigned, but assure them that the next nurse will be in to follow up with them. Challenge #5: Determining if Nonmaleficence Overrules a Patient’s Right to PrivacyWhat is it:Nurses demonstrate nonmaleficence by selecting nursing interventions that cause the least harm while achieving the most beneficial outcomes. In some situations, implementing appropriate interventions may border on compromising the patient’s right to privacy. For example, if a patient poses a threat to himself or others, the nurse’s priority is to ensure the safety of the patient and others. If the patient does not give consent to share his information, the nurse faces the dilemma of choosing between nonmaleficence and the patient’s right to privacy. How to Overcome:Nurses must weigh the benefits against the risks of any nursing intervention. If the patient or others are at risk due to unsafe conditions, the principle of nonmaleficence demands that nurses place the safety and the community first. My Final ThoughtsActing with a high level of ethical integrity is vital to the success of every nurse, which is why we have addressed the question, “What are the 7 main ethical principles in nursing and why they are important?” Throughout this article, we have discussed 7 main ethical principles in nursing, why they’re important, and examples of how they are applied in the four main areas of nursing. Developing an understanding of these principles and applying them to practice can help promote higher-quality patient care, improve patient outcomes, reduce employee and patient turnover, and further the profession. Darby Faubion BSN, RNDarby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over twenty years of experience. She has assisted in developing curriculum for nursing programs and has instructed students at both community college and university levels. Because of her love of nursing education, Darby became a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach and assists nursing graduates across the United States who are preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). What would be an example of the nurse practicing fidelity The nurse quizlet?What would be an example of the nurse practicing fidelity? The nurse: stays with the client during his death as promised.
Which situation would the nurse consider to be instances of battery?Battery is associated with physical harassment or “touching someone without their consent” according to RegisteredNursing.org. Nurses should consider when proximity or physical contact with the patient is required. They should always ask permission before further proceeding.
Which problems would the nurse plan to address when dealing with ethical issues?The 5 Current Ethical Issues in Nursing. Informed Consent.. Protecting Patient Privacy and Confidentiality.. Shared Patient Decision-Making.. Addressing Advanced Care Planning.. Inadequate resources and staffing.. Which explanation would the registered nurse provide to a nursing student regarding the characteristics of a primary nursing care delivery model quizlet?A student nurse requests the registered nurse explain the characteristics of the primary nursing care delivery model. What explanation should the registered nurse provide? "There is lateral communication from nurse to nurse and caregiver to caregiver."
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