On a daily basis, nurses face ethical concerns about their actions. Nursing ethics plays a significant role in the acceptance of her literate and responsible decisions. In particular, its principles describe the areas of self-determination of the patient, ensuring his safety, confidentiality, justice in relation to him and others. This essay describes how the definition of each principle applies to me or will apply in my future nursing career.
The principle of Autonomy is defined as an affirmation of the patient’s freedom to determine his actions. This term is essential for me as a nurse because the choice made by the patient, however it differs from my position, should determine his further actions. The principle of Beneficence is about expressing concern for the patient’s well-being. I can apply it in the future by creating compelling and safe care (Aguirre, 2020). The principle of Nonmaleficence is defined as the absence of harm. This term will employ my future career in protecting patients from danger and relieving suffering to the best of my ability.
The double effect principle means that if a morally acceptable action has a morally bad effect, it is ethically correct. I can use it in the future by realizing that I will have to allow some disagreeable outcome if it saves a person’s life. The principle of Confidentiality is defined as the obligation to maintain the confidentiality of the patient (Aguirre, 2020). This term is applicable to my future career in non-disclosure to the environment of any information about the patient.
The principle of Justice means the most equitable distribution of funds in accordance with needs. This term applies to me now because I respect human equality. Finally, Paternalism’s principle is the practice of limiting the freedom and responsibility of a subordinate in his perceived best interests (Aguirre, 2020). I can employ it in the future by making decisions where the patient’s benefit is if he himself is not able to determine it.
To conclude, nursing ethics are truly essential in making the right, responsible and literate decisions, and professional development. As a consequence, the knowledge and understanding of its principles help me value patient choices, creating compelling and safe care, protecting him from danger, and allow disagreeable outcome if it saves his life. Apart from it, an essential point is maintaining the confidentiality and distributing medical care impartially.
Reference
Aguirre, D. (2020). Ethics in nursing [PowerPoint slides].