Ethical Foundations of Nursing Practice
Utilitarian Ethics in Nursing Judgments
Part A: Explain the utilitarian ethical principles
Utilitarian ethics focuses on maximizing benefit while limiting harm for the greatest number.
It looks primarily at outcomes and consequences of actions to determine moral rightness. The
belief is that ethical choices should aim to create the greatest good for most.
In nursing, we apply utilitarian ethics during triage when facing disaster with limited injury
treatment resources. We must quickly choose who will gain most from immediate care versus
who may survive short delays based on severity of presentation. For example, mass trauma
from a bus crash requires incredibly difficult decisions about which harmed passengers to
prioritize. It requires calculating degree of injuries, chances to stabilize vital functions, and
how many stand to benefit in the first response phase giving current constraints like staff and
supplies on hand. Skillful application of utilitarian ethics helps maximize lives rescued
amidst horrific tragedy.
Part B: Share an example from practice
Early in my career I supported emergency efforts after a deadly 7-alarm fire downtown that
critically injured dozens and overwhelmed city hospitals with burn victims. Our ICU filled
rapidly with people requiring breathing assistance and fluid resuscitation. Equipment and
personnel got stretched dangerously thin. A second wave of rescued residents then arrived by
ambulance - lower degree burns but still at risk given age and complex histories. Bloody
triage decisions had to be made. Leadership implemented an outcomes-focused utilitarian
framework examining how to fairly allocate limited ventilators and staff. They determined
greatest good achievable would come from managing the resources to help stabilize those
less severe who arrived later knowing more serious existing cases remained too far gone. I
understood logistically why these callous-seeming judgments got made but still shed tears
that night.
Justice in Nursing - Equity and Advocacy
Part A: Explain nursing duties to justice and equity
Fundamental to ethical nursing practice remains our duty to justice - ensuring fair and
equitable access and treatment in healthcare. This requires looking beyond the bedside to
understand social, economic and systemic factors sustaining poor health in marginalized
communities - then advocating to address root causes. On the clinical level we still approach
all persons and populations with equal human dignity, respect and care quality. But the
nursing code of ethics also calls us to tackle barriers impeding communities' abilities to attain
their highest level wellbeing.
Issues like food deserts lacking fresh produce, neighborhoods without green recreation space
due to discriminatory urban planning, workplaces flouting safety laws - these shape health.
Educational opportunity gaps also cycle families intergenerationally through poverty and
associated disease vulnerability. Our ethical obligation stands to study and correct policies or
resource allocations propagating preventable health declines among disenfranchised groups.
We help ensure paths toward fuller flourishing stay open to all.
Part B: Share an example from practice
Early at my clinic I noticed struggling non-English speakers missing crucial treatment
guidance due to lacking translation services. Limited health literacy compounded
vulnerability. I gathered data on safety incidents and poor somatic outcomes correlated to
gaps in proper communication of regimens. Along with nursing colleagues, I presented a
proposal to leadership on need to expand linguistic programming - they agreed! We hired
multi-lingual patient navigators, adding interpreter video technology for appointments. This
drove enhanced adherence, self-efficacy in vulnerable groups. By lobbying for equity, we
helped patients access care previously unattainable. Systemic change bears fruit!
Professional Integrity in Practice
A: Define nursing professionalism
Nursing professionalism covers knowledge, technical skills, and ethical comportment - at the
bedside and amongst peers. It entails personal accountability for competent, compassionate
practice daily. Excellence displays through judgment calls and crisis leadership.
Documentation stays meticulous. Standards get upheld while continuing self betterment and
bringing others along. Quiet humility counters grandstanding. We report transgressions
risking patient wellbeing. Model integrity, wisdom and heart.
B: Share an inspirational example
I admire my friend Amina who recently became our hospital nurse manager after rising
steadily as charge nurse and then supervisor. She juggles immense responsibilities -
personnel, safety, quality metrics, family demands outside work too. Under constant strain
and scrutiny, most would crack showing favoritism, política or worse. But I’ve witnessed
Amina handle concerns about fellows nurses’ poor bedside manner and sick leave overuse
with equal parts candor and understanding. She addresses needed changes without judgment.
Handles budget limitations and morale issues with steadfast drive to bring out everyone’s
best. And champions ethical practice standards through daily empathy and courage inspiring
us all. I aim to lead with her grace.
C: Discuss how to strengthen professionalism
Instilling habits to bolster professional integrity proves vital over long demanding careers.
Firstly, sufficient self-care allowing mental soundness and stamina prevents unnecessary
ethical oversights. Seeking outside counsel through professional development programs or
senior peer input rather than going rogue also huge. scrupulously documenting rationale
behind difficult decisions provides checks protecting patients and ourselves later. Remaining
teachable and accountable throughout time strengthens moral foundations immensely. If
blaring red flags appear in a high stress context, pause to re-center ethical bearings before
proceeding. Uphold standards by aiming ever higher.
That covers core foundations of nursing ethics, equity norms and professionalism - how we
transform not just health outcomes but communities through practice grounded in human
dignity plus social consciousness! Let me know your lingering questions.
