Compare And Examine The Consequences Of Unethical Behavior
Compare and examine the consequences of an unethical behaviors in a nursing master’s program and in the nursing practice
Compare and examine the consequences of unethical behaviors in a nursing master’s program and in nursing practice by providing one example for each. Please include words and 2 scholarly references (no more than 4 years).
Paper For Above instruction
Unethical behavior in nursing, whether during academic training or in professional practice, has significant consequences that can affect patient safety, professional integrity, and the reputation of healthcare institutions. This paper explores these consequences by providing specific examples from each context, highlighting their impact on healthcare delivery and ethical standards.
In the context of nursing education, an example of unethical behavior is academic dishonesty, such as plagiarism or falsification of clinical hours. Such actions compromise the integrity of the educational process and undermine the trustworthiness of future professionals. For instance, a student falsifying clinical documentation to meet program requirements may graduate without the competencies necessary for safe practice. The consequences of such unethical conduct are multifaceted. Firstly, it can lead to the issuance of unqualified nurses into the workforce, risking patient safety due to inadequate clinical skills (Morrison & Ryrie, 2019). Additionally, instances of academic dishonesty can tarnish the reputation of nursing schools and diminish public trust in the education system. Such breaches may also result in disciplinary actions including suspension or expulsion, which delay or terminate students’ careers before they even begin practicing (Brooks & Clark, 2020). This ultimately impairs the development of a competent nursing workforce, crucial for effective healthcare delivery.
In the clinical practice setting, an example of unethical behavior is a nurse administering medications without proper authorization or bypassing safety protocols to save time. This act compromises patient safety and can have dire health consequences. For example, a nurse who administers a medication dose without verifying the patient’s identity or checking allergies risks adverse drug reactions or medical errors. The consequences extend beyond individual patient harm; they threaten the overall safety and credibility of healthcare services. Ethical violations in practice can lead to legal repercussions, loss of licensure, and damage to the nurse’s professional reputation (Li et al., 2021). Moreover, such behaviors can erode the trust between patients and healthcare providers, which is foundational for effective care and positive health outcomes. When nurses act unethically, it diminishes public confidence and can contribute to a wider decline in ethical standards within the healthcare system.
The consequences of unethical behavior in both educational and clinical settings are interrelated and reinforce the importance of fostering ethical conduct throughout the nursing continuum. Educational institutions must emphasize ethics and integrity, providing students with clear guidelines and consequences to deter misconduct. Meanwhile, healthcare organizations should maintain strict policies, continuous ethics education, and accountability measures to promote ethical behavior among practicing nurses.
In conclusion, unethical behaviors in nursing, whether during training or in practice, compromise patient safety, undermine professional integrity, and damage public trust. Academic dishonesty can lead to underqualified practitioners, while unethical clinical actions threaten immediate patient well-being and long-term trust in healthcare systems. Addressing these issues requires a collective effort to instill and uphold ethical standards at every stage of a nurse’s career, ensuring the delivery of safe, competent, and ethical care.
References
Brooks, C., & Clark, M. (2020). Nursing education and ethical misconduct: Implications for clinical practice. Journal of Nursing Education, 59(4), 192-198.
Li, S., Zhao, Y., & Zhang, T. (2021). Ethical challenges in nursing practice: Consequences and solutions. Nursing Ethics, 28(3), 364-373.
Morrison, E., & Ryrie, A. (2019). Academic dishonesty in nursing students: Causes, consequences, and prevention strategies. Nurse Education Today, 79, 125-129.