Choose Two Of The Nine Tenets Of The Nursing Code Of Ethics
Choose Two Of The Nine Tenets Of The Code Of Ethics For Nurses And Des
Choose two of the Nine Tenets of the Code of Ethics for Nurses and describe how you will personally apply each tenet in the practice setting with your patients. Describe in detail the purpose of the tenet and provide examples of the tenet applied in practice. Explain why it is important to uphold the tenet in maximizing the quality of patient care, and identify how it enhances your own practice as a nurse. Include a title page and a reference page to cite your text. Adhere to APA formatting throughout, and cite any outside sources you may use.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics serves as a foundational guideline for nursing professionals, emphasizing principles that safeguard patients, uphold the profession's integrity, and promote high standards of care. Among the nine tenets outlined in this code, two particularly resonate with my personal nursing practice: “Respect for Human Dignity” and “Advocacy for Patients’ Rights.” These principles are essential for fostering a patient-centered environment, ensuring equitable care, and maintaining professional integrity. This paper discusses how I intend to embody these tenets in my clinical practice, their significance in delivering quality healthcare, and their role in enhancing my growth as a nurse.
Respect for Human Dignity
Purpose of the Tenet:
Respect for human dignity underscores the intrinsic worth of every individual, irrespective of their background, health status, or socio-economic condition. In nursing, this tenet ensures that patients are treated with compassion, privacy, and sensitivity, acknowledging their unique values and beliefs. Upholding dignity fosters trust, comfort, and a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship, vital for effective care outcomes.
Application in Practice:
In my practice, I will prioritize respectful communication and uphold patient privacy at all times. For example, when performing physical assessments or administering treatments, I will ensure explanations are clear and consent is obtained, reflecting respect for their autonomy. I will also advocate for patients’ privacy by closing curtains or doors during examinations and safeguarding their confidential information in compliance with HIPAA regulations. Recognizing cultural differences and personal preferences influences care decisions, which I will incorporate to personalize patient interactions.
Importance for Patient Care and Personal Practice:
Respect for dignity enhances patient satisfaction and promotes adherence to treatment plans. It reduces anxiety, reinforces trust, and fosters a safe environment conducive to healing. For me as a nurse, embodying this tenet strengthens my communication skills, empathy, and ethical foundation, enabling me to deliver holistic, respectful care and uphold the profession’s integrity.
Advocacy for Patients’ Rights
Purpose of the Tenet:
Advocacy involves protecting and promoting patients’ rights to ensure they receive equitable, ethical, and informed care. This tenet emphasizes the nurse’s responsibility to serve as a patient’s defender, especially when patients face barriers like language differences, cognitive impairments, or institutional policies that may hinder their care.
Application in Practice:
I will actively listen to patients’ concerns and ensure their voices are heard in care decisions. For instance, if a patient is hesitant about a new medication due to fear of side effects, I will provide comprehensive information and encourage questions, empowering them to participate actively in their treatment. When a patient’s rights seem compromised, such as being denied pain relief or autonomy, I will advocate by communicating concerns to the healthcare team or through ethical channels. Additionally, I will promote shared decision-making, respecting patients' preferences and ensuring their values influence care plans.
Importance for Patient Care and Personal Practice:
Advocacy directly impacts patient safety, autonomy, and satisfaction. It fosters a healthcare environment grounded in ethics and justice, leading to better compliance and health outcomes. For my professional growth, practicing advocacy enhances my confidence, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning. It reinforces my responsibility to uphold patient rights amid complex clinical situations, ensuring my practice aligns with the core values of nursing.
Conclusion
Embedding the tenets of respect for human dignity and advocacy into daily practice is essential for delivering compassionate, ethical, and high-quality care. These principles not only safeguard patient rights and promote a therapeutic relationship but also serve as guiding pillars that shape my growth as a competent and ethical nurse. Upholding these tenets ensures that patient care is holistic, respectful, and equitable, ultimately fostering trust and improving health outcomes. As I continue to develop professionally, these core values will remain central to my commitment to excellence in nursing.
References
American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. ANA.
Dougherty, L. (2012). Ethics in nursing practice. British Journal of Nursing, 21(22), 1372-1378.
Fitzpatrick, J. J., & Coble, L. (2014). Nursing ethics: Across the curriculum and into practice. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Pender, N. J. (2011). Health promotion in nursing practice. Pearson.
Standards of Practice for Registered Nurses. (2016). Nursing Council of New Zealand.
Weber, J., & Kelley, O. (2016). Patient advocacy in nursing: A literature review. Nursing Ethics, 23(2), 191-205.
Walker, J., & Avant, K. (2019). Strategies for theory construction in nursing. Pearson.
Whitehead, D. (2014). Nursing and health promotion: What does the evidence say? Nursing Research and Practice, 2014, 1-10.
Nash, L. (2015). The importance of dignity in nursing. Journal of Nursing Management, 23(4), 399–405.