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Professional Roles and Values Task 2

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Professional Roles and Values Task 2 Alicia Doss Western Governors University

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Ethical Principal Application Ethics are the principals that narrate what is expected in terms of right and wrong or erroneous in terms of one’s behavior. Four nursing ethical principles that I will discuss in this paper are beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice. Beneficence is doing good for the patient and doing the right thing for the patient. Non-maleficence is the principal of doing no harm and this encompasses both intentional and unintentional. Autonomy means that the nurse accepts the patient as a unique individual that has the right to make their own decisions, have their own opinions, beliefs, and values. The patient also has the right to accept or reject any treatments. Nurses encourage their patients to make their own decisions without coercion or judgement. Finally, justice is defined as fairness and being equitable to all patients (Registered Nursing.org, 2020).

A1. Responding to Mr. Newcomb’s request In the given scenario I, as the nurse, have developed a bond with Mr. Newcomb as he has been in the hospital for cancer treatment and is now receiving hospice care. Mr. Newcomb’s spouse of 40 years is at bedside daily and Mr. Newcomb has made a request to see his mistress before he passes away and has asked me to help him facilitate a visit from her without letting his wife know. Mr. Newcomb is at the end of his life. My initial response would be to want to help him fulfill any request that he had. I am aware that loved ones can bring comfort and emotional support to the patient nearing the end of their life. However, I am also bound by my own ethics and moral compass and this would prevent me from engaging in deceitful behavior. I would

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respond to Mr. Newcomb in a thoughtful manner letting him know that I am uncomfortable being deceitful to his wife, and I would encourage him to have open dialogue with his wife regarding his wishes. I would also remind Mr. Newcomb that his disclosure of a mistress is confidential and any plans that he makes to see his mistress by having her come to the hospital is a private issue between the two of them and I will not discuss it with his spouse. A2. Applied principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice By having an open discussion with Mr. Newcomb, showing him kindness, allowing him to express himself, and being nonjudgmental about his extra marital affair I practiced beneficence. Regarding nonmaleficence, I favored my patient’s emotional wellbeing over my personal beliefs related to extra marital affairs. Had I expressed my own internal feelings about extramarital affairs and infidelity or seemed judgmental about his disclosure I may have demeaned and shamed my patient, thereby causing harm. Also, by favoring his trust and not disclosing Mr. Newcomb’s infidelity to his wife I am also being mindful of committing no harm. Mr. Newcomb is his own unique person with his own specific needs. By encouraging him to make his own competent decisions, without needing my consent as his nurse, he practiced autonomy. I provided a listening ear, and open discussion but did not do anything to prevent Mr. Newcomb from making his own decisions about having his mistress visit. Regardless of Mr. Newcomb’s mistress visiting him, and my personal feelings about the situation, I will still treat him fairly and equitable. I will continue to show compassion and competently care for him during the end of his life as I would have had I not been told of his mistress.

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A3. Personal beliefs and values Being a nurse for 18 years, I am very familiar the fact that human behavior varies greatly from person to person. What may be unethical to me is the norm for another person. I would struggle with this scenario because my go to response, especially for a patient that I have become close with and is at end of life, is to carry out their wishes. However, I am obligated to do no harm and that means to my patient, his spouse, and myself as well. While it is never my place as a nurse to pass judgment or shame my patients I must also adhere to my own moral compass and do what I feel is right and what I am comfortable doing. I would do my best to support Mr. Newcomb and maintain confidentiality regarding his mistress, however I will not lie to his spouse. A4. 3 strategies to promote self-care Self-care is important for reduced anxiety and improved mood. I have a regular sleep routine that I adhere to in order to ensure that I get enough rest. I try to eat a healthy diet full of whole foods and low carbs to improve my mood and focus. Finally, I enjoy taking my dogs for walks after work to get fresh air and exercise. Taking walks also helps me clear my head after a long day at work.

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References Registered Nursing. Org. (August 27, 2020). Ethical practice: NCLEX-RN Retrieved from https://www.registerednursing.org/nclex/ethical-practice/...