Professional Codes of Ethics - Research Paper Example

Professional s of Ethics Professional s of Ethics As a nurse, I believe in the s of ethics governing the nursing profession. My commitments to this noble profession made me to join the prestigious American Nurses Association (ANA). This, for those who do not know, is the umbrella professional association that brings together all the nurses. Having been formed in 1897, the association has done a great job in the field of nursing. Through its 54 subsidiary and constituent associations, it has been at the fore front in promoting the nurses’ rights, creating standard codes of conducts and promoting the welfare of nurses in the workplace. To effectively discharge its duties, the association has come up with codes of ethics which govern the behavior and operations of nurses while carrying out their duties. Just like any other profession, nursing has its own unique set of ethics which help in ensuring that the nurses deliver exceptionally high quality services to their patients. The ANA code of ethics consists of 9 main clauses. Provision One states that a nurse should be passionate and obedient at all times. Provision Two states that a nurse should put the interests of the patient primary to their own. Provision Three stipulate that the nurse should do everything within their capacity to promote and protect the health and rights of the patient. Provision Four stipulates that the nurse should always be ready to account for their individual actions while serving the patients. Provision Five states that the nurse should be competent and accept to serve with integrity. Provision Six stipulates that a nurse, through individual and collective efforts, should strive to offer quality services to the patients by properly manipulating the environment. Provision Seven states that the nurse should adhere to the principle of Evidence-Based Practice and be ready to advance their skills through research and education. Provision Eight stipulates that a nurse needs to be a team player with collaborates with their colleagues, physicians, doctors, careres and the general public in promoting healthcare in the country. Lastly, Provision Nine advocates for a strict observance of professional integrity amongst the nurses (Armstrong, 2007). In my capacity as a professional nurse, I would like to point out that these codes of ethics are above board. It does not leave out any single issue and strives to highlight all the important aspects of nursing that needs to be observed. In other words, all the elements captured in the list are of great value to the profession since they contain everything that needs to be done to ensure that the nurses do their best. However, the only recommendation that I can make is it can still be made much better if additional provisions are included to touch on the implementation, enforcement and the consequences of failing to adhere with them. Also, it should include a provision that deals with benevolence and the role of communication, confidentiality and the seeking of personal consent while handling a patient. They can help in creating a good rapport between the nurse and the patients or their carers and family members (Storch, 2009). These are important areas that if captured, can help in improving the quality of service delivery to the patients. They will put much pressure on the nurses to be keen and cautious while treating their patients. Being a committed professional, I acknowledge the important contributions of these codes of ethics in my life. Therefore, whenever discharging my duties, I have to ensure that I strictly observe them. At no time can I fail to apply any of the provisions because know that they were made for the benefit of my patients, their carers and family members as well as my own. Better still, they are there for the nursing profession and if strictly observed, can help in promoting it. So, however challenging it might be, I always try to abide by them and refer to them before making major decisions regarding my patients (Tschudin, 2003). This not withstanding, I have always found it challenging to comply with Provision One which requires that I promote and protect the safety, health and rights of the patient. Despite my commitment to this provision, I have always failed to observe it. However much try to protect and safeguard the interests of my patients, I do fail because of some unavoidable circumstances. For example, certain emergency and critical cases do compel me to make prompt decisions without necessarily involving my patients (McHale & Gallagher, 2003). Even if this is aimed at saving their lives, it violates their right of consent. A similar situation has been faced while dealing with minors and mentally incapacitated patients who are not sound enough to be heard while making such important decisions about their health. Rather than being a professional, I am an individual human being with his own school of thought, perceptions and world views. Meaning, I might not fully comply with these provisions. However, this is not intentional, but is necessitated by my own personal morality. One area that brings such a conflict is the demand for primary commitment to the patients rather than my own. Practically, I do not like this provision because it requires me to be concerned with, think and worry about other people’s problems instead of concentrating on my own (Tschudin, 2003). For example, I need no to work for long hours instead of resting or relaxing at home with my family which also require my company. I do feel that such sacrifices are not worthwhile. After all, they are made for the benefit of thankless and uncooperative patients who rarely appreciate our efforts. Since I believe in dialogue, I can not hesitate to discuss these issues with my colleagues, patients and the employer. In case I feel that I should let them know about my feelings, I will simply engage them in a one-on-one discussion in a private location. Here, I will urge them to listen to me as I explain to them what I feel about these provisions and how such conflicts can be eliminated. It is healthy to do so because these provisions are not perfect and are subject to criticism. References Storch, J. (2009). "Ethics in Nursing Practice". In Kuhse H & Singer P. A Companion to Bioethics. Chichester: Blackwells. McHale, J. & Gallagher, A. (2003). Nursing and Human Rights. New York: Butterworth Heinemann. Armstrong, A. (2007). Nursing Ethics: A Virtue-Based Approach. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Tschudin, V. (2003). Ethics in Nursing: the caring relationship (3rd Ed.). Edinburgh: Butterworth-Heinemann. Read More