Introduction
The internalization and adoption of nurse professional values are closely tied to their alignment with professional beliefs. The nursing profession adheres to a set of professional standards, formally known as the Code of Ethics for Nurses. These standards guide nurses in their professional conduct and decision-making when faced with a dilemma. However, given the diverse nature of human personalities, each nurse brings a unique set of priorities and personal values. This paper will critically analyze areas where my priorities and personal values align with the nurse code of ethics. It will also assess areas where professional values and personal beliefs conflict and propose strategies for resolving the confusion.
The Nursing Code of Ethics
The American Nurse Association defines the nursing code of ethics as a guideline for performing nursing responsibilities in a manner consistent with quality and ethical obligations. Ethics generally guide individuals on how to conduct themselves by offering clarity on what is right and wrong. Consequently, ethics are essential for all healthcare workers, but they are particularly necessary for nurses, given their role as caregivers.
The nursing code of ethics is guided by four principles, including autonomy, beneficence, justice, and non-maleficence (Gaines, 2023). The framing for these patients outlines how a nurse should act in various relationships, such as those with their patients and within their profession (Fowler, 2020). These principles should guide every nurse in the performance of their duties, especially when faced with ethical dilemmas.
The principle of autonomy recognizes the rights of individual patients for self-determination and decision-making. As a direct caregiver, a nurse is responsible for providing all necessary information to a patient, enabling them to make informed decisions about their care. Such information includes data on the risks, complications, and benefits of specific procedures and medications. The principle of beneficence necessitates nurses to act in good faith and for the welfare of their patients. Additionally, the principle of justice obligates nurses to act reasonably, regardless of a patient’s race, financial status, sexual orientation, or gender.
Finally, the principle of non-maleficence prohibits nurse professionals from causing harm (Gaines, 2023). In particular, it is the ethical responsibility of a nurse to recommend interventions and medication that cause minimal harm to their patients. Thus, these principles effectively make a nurse a patient’s advocate, but they also recommend finding a balance while delivering requisite patient care (Robichaux et al., 2022). Complete compliance with them ensures fair treatment of all patients.
Alignment of the Code of Ethics with Personal Values
Patient-Centered Care
A primary cornerstone of the Nursing Code of Ethics is its insistence on patient-centered care. This concept emphasizes the importance of nurses respecting individual patients’ preferences and choices (Rose et al., 2018). Patient-centered care also obligates nurses to ensure that clinical decisions are guided by patients’ values (Kwame & Petrucka, 2021). In this case, patients are free to ask questions about the medication they are prescribed and the interventions they are recommended, and can make complaints if they feel the care they are getting is subpar. This concept aligns with my personal belief that each patient is unique and their opinions should inform the care they receive. This belief stems from a deep conviction that all patients deserve respect and dignity, and that the care provided to them should be tailored to their individual needs and preferences. In this regard, I consistently advocate for patients to ensure that their voices are heard and their opinions are considered when decisions are made and medical interventions are designed.
Ethical Conduct
At the core of the nursing code of ethics is a commitment to act morally and in the best interest of the patient. To fulfill this obligation, a nurse is required to maintain the highest standards of integrity, honesty, and transparency (Gaines, 2023). In my nursing role, I try to act ethically by providing all necessary information to patients, whether positive or negative. Similarly, I also act ethically when interacting with colleagues inside and outside the work environment.
Continuing Professional Development
Continuing professional development is central to a nurse’s commitment to lifelong learning. This concept ensures that nurses are constantly updated on the recent professional and academic developments in their field of specialization (Mlambo et al., 2021). Consequently, lifelong learning is a key tenet of the nursing code of ethics. This concept aligns with my commitment to staying current with the latest information on medical interventions and advances, ensuring that my patients receive the best possible care. Even now, my commitment to continually learning new information in my area of specialization remains as strong as it was when I first decided to become a nurse professional.
Potential Conflict Areas
Patient Confidentiality
The nursing code of ethics requires nurses to maintain strict confidentiality and not disclose any information related to a patient’s illness or the medication they are taking without the patient’s explicit consent. Even in the age of electronic records, nurses are obligated to take adequate measures to ensure patient confidentiality is maintained at all times (Bani Issa et al., 2020). This requirement often leads to conflict, especially when it is necessary to inform family members that a patient is not in a condition to consent to the disclosure of their medical information explicitly. Additionally, I sometimes feel uneasy when a patient’s family is not well informed about the medication a patient should take, especially when that particular patient has a history of not completing a treatment plan. Thus, I believe that necessary adjustments should be made to the strict enforcement of this principle to allow the sharing of some information, which is in the best interest of the patient.
End-of-Life Decisions
One of the most challenging aspects of the job of being a nurse is the decision of whether a patient with a fatal condition continues using life-support machines or not. The nurse code of ethics emphasizes the autonomy of the patients (Kleespies, 2021). Consequently, a nurse is morally and ethically obligated to act in accordance with the patient’s wishes. However, my personal values often conflict with this principle, as I frequently oppose specific interventions that could directly or indirectly result in loss of life.
Additionally, I always refrain from making decisions regarding the withholding of certain types of interventions, as doing so would conflict with my personal beliefs. In situations where I have no choice but to make certain decisions, I remind myself that my role as a nurse is to provide the best possible care to patients within the bounds of ethical practice. When deciding how to approach end-of-life care, I am always conscious that self-care and ethical conduct should not conflict (Linton & Koonmen, 2020). Consequently, if a patient consents to stopping a particular intervention, I usually comply with their request. However, I make certain decisions at a tremendous personal cost, which is why my first instinct is to postpone making some of the most critical ones.
Resolving Conflicts Between Personal Beliefs and the Principles of the Nursing Code of Ethics
The primary strategy for the avoidance of any conflict in the nursing profession is the avoidance of situations that may compromise a nurse’s ethics. Additionally, when facing a dilemma, nurses should always refer to the American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics for Nurses (Gaines, 2023)—the rules in that document guide nurses on how to resolve inevitable conflicts that may arise. In particular, nurses are required to comply with all the requirements in the ANA’s code of ethics and ensure they provide the best care within those bounds.
However, some of the situations that nurses, including myself, face cannot be adequately resolved through reference to the code of ethics. Instead, I utilize self-reflection, acting within the bounds of an ethical framework, and open communication as strategies to resolve conflicts between my personal beliefs and nursing professional ethics. Specifically, during these conflicts, I reflect on myself to identify the sources of the conflict. I then assess the values at stake and, if I do not come up with a solution, consult senior colleagues who have previously dealt with similar issues. Their advice is usually solid and often leads me to make better decisions for the patient and me.
Another strategy I use to eliminate conflict is to make decisions strictly within the ethical frameworks available to a nurse. Specifically, the Nursing Code of Ethics is the formal document I consult when in a dilemma. In particular, its four core principles enable me to make decisions that prioritize my personal beliefs without compromising the rights and care that are due to patients.
Ultimately, I resolve conflicts between my personal beliefs and nursing ethics through effective communication. Maintaining open communication in the workplace is essential for preventing conflict from arising. Additionally, open communication fosters emotional connection in the workplace, thereby minimizing the likelihood of conflict (Kwame & Petrucka, 2022). Consequently, in situations where my personal beliefs do not align with my ethical obligations, I engage in open and respectful dialogue with my supervisors and colleagues to find a suitable solution that respects my values while ensuring the patient receives the requisite quality care they require.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the nursing profession is guided by a strict nursing code of ethics that dictates how nurse professionals interact with their patients. The core principles of this code of conduct include autonomy, beneficence, justice, and non-maleficence. These principles obligate nurses to heed patients’ preferences, act in good faith, treat everyone equally regardless of their socio-economic status, color, or any other characteristic, and ensure that they offer interventions that cause minimal harm.
As a nurse, I have always adhered to these principles, but conflicts inevitably arise between my personal beliefs and the nursing code of ethics. The causes of these conflicts include concerns that strict confidentiality may negatively impact patient recovery and treatment outcomes. Another cause is end-of-life decisions, particularly when decisions must be made about halting specific interventions. To resolve these conflicts, I engage in self-reflection to identify their source, comply with nursing ethics guidelines, and participate in dialogue to collectively find a solution that is suitable for both my well-being and the patient’s.
Reference List
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