In my current practice, RNs and nurse practitioners help create policies that reflect evidence-based practice; for instance, through a shared governance committee. In my practice, I try to stay involved in political action through professional organizations, such as being an officer or even member on a committee, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA).
An example of this involvement is when I recently cared for a 6-month-old patient who had a traumatic brain injury, never to walk, talk, open his eyes, cough, move, on his own again. Because of the circumstances, the child’s parents rarely visited, but still had the autonomy and legal rights for all healthcare decisions. After postponing the decision over a month because of religious reasons, they decided to give him a tracheostomy. As a nurse taking care of this patient, I was heartbroken with the decision made. With eight other children at home, they were unequipped to take the child home with them once he had the tracheostomy. I was torn between respecting the parent’s decisions, and my own feelings about the situation and the dignity of the baby. The ethical principles and my legal obligation were in conflict, but I was able to focus on the child and provided the care he needed.
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