A nurse’s actions should always be guided by the Nursing Code of Ethics. However, one of the situations related to this code that can be observed in the future is associated with misinterpreting the role of nurses in relationships with patients. Nurses are expected to focus on people’s values, culture, religion, and other individual qualities and build relations based on trust, respecting individuals’ decisions (American Nurses Association, 2015). Thus, a specific situation can be observed when a patient, depending on religious and cultural views, can reject the proposed treatment plan that is necessary to overcome a disease. This patient can expect that a nurse will follow this individual position based on personal beliefs. Still, a nurse’s ethical task is to respect a patient’s decision but to avoid risky choices and behaviors.
According to Provision 1 and the subsection titled “1.2. Relationships with Patients,” nurses should provide bias-free care and demonstrate respect for a patient as an individual with the right to decisions when promoting their health. However, this statement does not mean that a nurse should agree with all the decisions made by patients. The key focus is on promoting a patient’s health by respecting their cultural background and personal traits, but without supporting risky decisions (American Nurses Association, 2015). As a result, to avoid misinterpretations of this provision, nurses need to offer their patients alternatives and opportunities to receive quality treatment without violating their beliefs. In the discussed situation, a nurse will not accept the fact that the patient rejects treatment but propose all the possible treatment opportunities that are acceptable in the context of the patient’s culture and religion. In this case, the patient’s health will be prioritized, and quality relationships with individuals will be established.
Reference
American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. NursingWorld.org. Web.