Ethical Decision-Making in Nursing: Addressing Workplace Misconduct and Professional Obligations
Overview
This paper examines ethical dilemmas nurses face in their professional practice through a case study involving a nurse struggling with personal crises and substance abuse. The author argues that while nurses must advocate for patient safety, they also have ethical obligations to treat struggling colleagues with respect and pursue multidisciplinary solutions that address both patient protection and employee wellbeing.
What this essay covers
- Introduction to nursing ethics and daily ethical dilemmas faced by practitioners
- Analysis of the Mrs. Temple case study involving divorce, substance abuse, and workplace misconduct
- Justification for confronting unethical conduct and balancing patient advocacy with colleague support
- Recommended interventions including documentation, ethical board involvement, peer mediation, and temporary duty relief
Preview
Nursing Ethics
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Nursing Ethics
Nurses are faced with numerous ethical dilemmas daily. In delivering patient care, nurses are expected to utilize and apply ethical concepts. The care provided must be correct, rational, and appropriate for the patient’s condition. Nurses also experience emotional or social problems that affect their capacity to provide appropriate care for patients. In the case study, Mrs. Temple experienced a divorce that affected her emotions and abilities in the workplace. She is very irritable and uses cocaine to manage her condition. However, the condition has affected her behaviors in the workplace and is unable to cope with the pressures. In an instance, it is noted that Mrs. Temple excuses herself from her duties to get some sleep after using certain drugs.
It is essential to note that many individuals use drugs and are not aware of the impact ethics have on their conduct. In the situation presented, it was ethical that Judy Boise confronted Mrs. Temple. Her conduct and emotional imbalance jeopardize the wellbeing of the patients. It is expected that nurses become the primary advocates and protectors of the patients. There is a need to maintain and cultivate an ethical work environment. There is a need to confront any practitioner exhibiting unethical work conduct courageously. Judy was ethically justified to confront Mrs. Temple (Bratianu, n.d.).
Moreover, it is required that nurses who suspect or witness incidents that jeopardize the wellbeing of patients document the events in reports.