Introduction
Ethical conflicts are common in many medical facilities. I used to work as a Director of Nursing in a certain medical facility. The nursing facility could accommodate 100 patients. The facility lacked enough employees because one nurse monitored over 50 patients. The facility was embracing such malpractices to get more money. This situation made it impossible to provide safe or quality care to different patients (Trevino & Nelson, 2010).
The institution “was falsifying information whenever there were investigations” (Risjord, 2011, p. 46). The corporate officers and managers were also hiding vital information. The situation made it impossible for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to undertake its investigations. My “greatest concern was whether to report it to the state or leave it alone” (Risjord, 2011, p. 48).
Issues at Stake
The above conflict affected the lives of many patients. Such “misbehaviors in the hospital were also affecting different stakeholders such as communities and government agencies” (Kim & Kollak, 2006, p. 72). Our nurses did not report such malpractices to the relevant authorities. The practices would jeopardize their careers.
The above malpractices are unacceptable in any medical facility. Hospitals should always focus on the needs and rights of their patients. They should hire competent nurses and caregivers who can offer quality care and treatment to their patients. Nurse leaders and administrators in different organizations should always encourage their employees to support every patient.
Arguments
Most misbehaviors in the nursing facility affected the quality of patient care. The medical officers falsified treatment regimes and skin assessments for their patients. The institution was “not ready to report any incident of facility acquired pressure ulcers” (Risjord, 2011, p. 34).
Our managers also encouraged their friends to steal drugs and narcotics from the medical facility. Some nurses were not administering the right medications to their patients. They also failed to feed the patients. Many workers and nurses “did not report any form of abuse or negligence in the medical facility” (Risjord, 2011, p. 58). The HR manager was ready to sack every employee or nurse who failed to cooperate.
Reasons and Rationalizations
The above ethical dilemma was a turning point in my career as a Director of Nursing. The institution was trying to maximize its profits without taking care of its patients. The medical facility was ignoring the health requirements and needs of its patients. Many nurses in the facility were happy with such malpractices.
They were against my efforts to ensure the healthcare institution was on the right path. The nurses ignored my incentives and strategies towards dealing with the vices. The situation at the facility was unacceptable because most of the patients were not getting quality medical care or support (Parsons & Cornett, 2011).
Responses
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) must offer effective health services and care to their patients. My personal goal is to provide the best support to every patient. My dream has been to work in a healthcare facility that addresses the changing health needs of its patients. Nurse leaders and directors should also mentor their nurses and caregivers to achieve the best health outcomes. However, many medical institutions fail to embrace the best nursing practices. This malpractice affects the quality of services availed to different patients (Trevino & Nelson, 2010).
Change of Heart
Many nurses were not ready to improve the conditions existing in the facility. I continued to collect more information from the institution to justify my arguments. Unfortunately, everything was impossible because the nursing facility wanted to maximize its profits instead of focusing on the needs of its patients. Some of the “medical officers and nurses did not change their hearts” (Parsons & Cornett, 2011, p. 279).
The Allies
After confirming the situation, I decided to report the matter to the state. I also informed several members of the public about the situation. This decision was mandatory because the human resource manager (HRM) harassed me after reporting the issue to him. The managers were sad because I was trying to do the right thing.
The managers wanted every nurse to support them. This malpractice made it impossible for different patients to get the required support. It was a traumatizing experience because it affected my philosophy as a caregiver. I was happy after reporting the matter to the state. It is appropriate “for the government to punish administrators who fail to offer the best services to their patients” (Risjord, 2011, p. 68).
Timing
The timing was a key issue after identifying the challenges affecting our nursing facility. The first thing was to report the matter to my supervisors and administrators. However, the administrators were unhappy with my efforts. They threatened and harassed me for interfering with their managerial practices. The next step was to mentor my nurses to offer the best services to their patients (Risjord, 2011).
Forum for Conversation
I was unable to get the right support from our administrators. I was ready to identify and address the issues affecting our facility. However, the administrators used various strategies to discourage me. Most of the nurses were unhappy with my efforts towards dealing with the situation. Our officers and administrators in the organization did not change their mindsets about the existing ethical dilemma (Risjord, 2011).
Preferable Communication Styles
Caregivers should use the best communication styles whenever dealing with various ethical challenges. I used the best communication methods and styles after identifying the challenges affecting our nursing institution. The caregivers were also unhappy with my ideas. They chose to support the existing malpractices in the facility. It was necessary to report the matter to the relevant authorities. The state was ready to take the necessary measures against the organization (Parsons & Cornett, 2011).
Sources of Support
I had read several materials and journal articles “about the most appropriate nursing practices” (Parsons & Cornett, 2011, p. 280). Nurses should also observe the rights of every citizen or patient in the country. I understood the best ethical practices as a caregiver. Such sources made it easier for me to identify the misconducts existing in the institution. Nurses should identify the best venues to report such malpractices.
Caregivers must also “join different nursing associations to become competent” (Parsons & Cornett, 2011, p. 281). This situation explains why I informed, “several members of the public about the malpractices existing in the nursing facility” (Risjord, 2011, p. 84).
Concluding Remarks
It was inappropriate to support such misconducts because they would threaten my career. The practice was also unsuitable because it affected the health conditions of many patients. My mission is to serve every patient with respect and love. My goal is to uphold the best values and ethical ideals as a caregiver. This ethical dilemma has equipped me with new skills as a Director of Nursing. I will always work in reputable facilities that respect and honor their patients. This principle will make it easier for me to deliver quality medical care to my patients.
Reference List
Kim, H., & Kollak, I. (2006). Nursing Theories: Conceptual and Philosophical Foundations, Second Edition. New York: Springer Publishing Company.
Parsons, M., & Cornett, P. (2011). Sustaining the pivotal organizational outcome: magnet recognition. Journal of Nursing Management, 19(1), 277-286.
Risjord, M. (2011). Nursing Knowledge: Science, Practice, and Philosophy. New York, NY: Wiley.
Trevino, L., & Nelson, K. (2010). Managing Business Ethics: Straight Talk About How To Do It Right. New York, NY: Wiley.