In an aging population where technological interventions are rapidly increasing, end-of-life care is an important discussion. With multiple perspectives to consider, these resources serve to convey the breadth of nurses` experience and help them respect individual dignity and autonomy. Patients are not entitled to any harm. Non-malignancy requires nurses to avoid harming patients. [6] This principle is probably the most difficult to maintain. When life support is stopped or patients have decided to stop taking life-saving medications, the nurse is placed in a morally difficult position. The steps in the ethical decision-making process are like the problem-solving process: In this section of the NCLEX RN exam, you must demonstrate your knowledge and skills in ethical practice to: In addition to publishing the Code of Ethics, the ANA Center for Ethics and Human Rights was created to help nurses manage ethical and value conflicts and life or death. Many of them are common in daily practice. In a democratic society, the legal system provides a framework in which all parts of the community interact. It establishes the rights and privileges of the individual and provides for the enforcement of rights and redress for injustices suffered. All citizens must know their rights and duties established by law and understand the laws that govern their personal and professional lives. Ignorance of a law will not be accepted as an excuse for violating that law.

Ethics refers to standards of moral judgment and professional conduct. Nurses are accountable to patients, the public, employers and the profession as a whole. It is imperative that they have a thorough understanding of the various ethical, legal and professional issues they face during their careers. There are three main duties for nurses, among many others, which are the duty of autonomy, confidentiality and the duty of care to all patients. i These duties are complemented by the principles of charity, i.e. to promote or do good and act in the best interests of patients, and non-malevolence, i.e. to avoid harm. ii These are professional obligations that become legal obligations if laws or guidelines are violated in the course of practice. In 2001, a study found that there was a need to provide more guidance on ethical dilemmas within the health professions following the increase in the number of legal cases and inquiries from the public.iii As a result, various Clinical Ethics Boards (CECs) and Research Ethics Boards (REBs) have been established in the UK to provide comprehensive ethical support. Ever-changing values in the fields of health, behavioral sciences and society mean that physicians must be aware of new ethical issues for the medical sector and learn how to respond appropriately.

The Centre is committed to addressing the complex ethical and human rights issues faced by caregivers and to developing activities and programs to increase caregivers` ethical competence and human rights awareness. The Centre demonstrates ANA`s ongoing commitment to the human rights dimensions of health care. “At a time when human rights are increasingly under threat, we have launched this commitment to unite the powerful voices of health professionals in the United States and reaffirm their ethical obligations to respect human dignity,” said Donna McKay, Executive Director of PHR. In addition to using these resources, the nurse can take appropriate action when faced with an ethical dilemma by understanding and applying the ethical guidelines contained in the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics, the American Medical Association Code of Ethics, the World Medical Association Code of Ethics, the American Nurses Association Standards of Care and Standards of Practice. The American Nurses Association`s pronouncements, such as the one describing the ethical use of narcotic analgesics at the end of life, even though this drug accelerates death, the statements of the nurses` committee, and the code of ethics of the International Association of Nurses. Many states include the ANA Code of Ethics in Care in their practice statements. While the Code of Professional Conduct is primarily ethical, it also has legal implications. Given the importance of the Code to the nursing profession, reviews continue on a regular basis. Although these are rare cases, a patient may sometimes ask you to do something that is not ethical. For example, a patient may ask a nurse to help them commit suicide at the end of their life, or they may inquire about another patient about their diagnosis. If something like this happens, the nurse must inform the client that she cannot do it for ethical and legal reasons. Is physician-assisted suicide ethical? In today`s society, we often face ethical dilemmas in our daily lives.

In the world of healthcare, there are many in the workforce, especially doctors and nurses. The nurse is responsible for knowing certain legal principles, including: Nurses have a responsibility to recognize and identify ethical issues affecting staff and patients. For example, the care of clients undergoing abortions may raise ethical and moral concerns and issues for some nurses; And some patients may be affected by liver transplant rejection because donor livers are not abundant enough to meet the needs of all patients who want them. In addition to these principles, the ANA has also provided this advice to caregivers and nursing students via social media:[10] Autonomy is the recognition of every patient`s right to self-determination and decision-making. As patient advocates, it is imperative that nurses ensure that patients receive all the medical information, training and options to choose the best option for them. This includes all the potential risks, benefits and complications of making informed decisions. Rule 9. The nursing profession must collectively, through its professional organization, articulate nursing values, maintain the integrity of the profession, and integrate social justice principles into nursing and health policy.