An explanation of at least two significant ethical issues relevant to the DNP-prepared nurse.

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You are likely already upholding ethics in nursing and healthcare delivery in your current nursing practice experience. As mentioned in the introduction for this week, a patient-focused approach that promotes the delivery of safe, quality, and cost-effective healthcare for promoting positive patient outcomes represents a fundamental alignment to ethical principles for the delivery of healthcare. In your journey toward becoming a DNP-prepared nurse, you will continue to uphold ethical principles in your nursing practice and will likely continue to serve as an advocate for adhering to these principles in all you do.

For this Discussion, reflect on the case studies/scenarios related to ethical challenges presented in this week’s Learning Resources. Think about how these ethical challenges may mirror your own experiences in nursing practice. Consider what other ethical challenges may arise in your own nursing practice or as you continue your program of study.

 

Post an explanation of at least two significant ethical issues relevant to the DNP-prepared nurse. Then explain how these issues might compare to the types of issues you have encountered in your practice. Be specific and provide examples.

 

Sample Solution

Two significant ethical issues relevant to the DNP-prepared nurse are:

  • Protecting patient privacy and confidentiality: DNP-prepared nurses have access to a wide range of sensitive patient information, including medical records, financial data, and personal details. They have an ethical obligation to protect this information from unauthorized access or disclosure.
  • Promoting patient autonomy and shared decision-making: DNP-prepared nurses play a key role in helping patients make informed decisions about their healthcare. They should respect patients’ right to choose their own treatment options, even if they disagree with those choices. Nurses should also provide patients with the information they need to make informed decisions, and they should support patients’ right to refuse treatment.

These ethical issues are relevant to all nurses, but they may be especially challenging for DNP-prepared nurses, who are often involved in complex and sensitive patient care situations.

How these ethical issues compare to the types of issues I have encountered in my practice:

I am a registered nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU). In my practice, I encounter a variety of ethical challenges, including:

  • Protecting patient privacy and confidentiality: In the ICU, I have access to a great deal of sensitive patient information. I must be careful to protect this information from unauthorized access or disclosure. For example, I always close the patient curtain when I am discussing a patient’s care with other healthcare professionals. I also make sure to only share patient information with those who have a legitimate need to know.
  • Promoting patient autonomy and shared decision-making: In the ICU, many patients are critically ill and unable to make their own decisions about their healthcare. I must work with the patient’s family and other healthcare professionals to make decisions that are in the patient’s best interests. For example, I might discuss with the patient’s family whether or not to intubate the patient. I would also provide the patient’s family with information about the risks and benefits of intubation so that they could make an informed decision.

Examples of ethical challenges I have encountered in my practice:

  • One time, I was caring for a patient who was terminally ill. The patient’s family wanted to keep the patient on life support, even though the patient was clearly suffering. I had to explain to the family that the patient was not going to get better and that keeping them on life support would only cause them unnecessary suffering. The family was initially upset, but they eventually agreed to take the patient off of life support.
  • Another time, I was caring for a patient who was unconscious. The patient’s family wanted me to perform a certain procedure, but I knew that the procedure was not in the patient’s best interests. I explained to the family that the procedure was risky and that it was unlikely to help the patient. The family was upset, but they eventually agreed to let me follow my clinical judgment.

How I uphold ethical principles in my current nursing practice experience:

I uphold ethical principles in my current nursing practice experience by:

  • Always acting in the best interests of my patients.
  • Respecting my patients’ autonomy and shared decision-making.
  • Protecting my patients’ privacy and confidentiality.
  • Treating all of my patients with dignity and respect.

How I will continue to uphold ethical principles in my journey toward becoming a DNP-prepared nurse:

As I continue my journey toward becoming a DNP-prepared nurse, I will continue to uphold ethical principles by:

  • Continuing my education in ethics and nursing jurisprudence.
  • Seeking mentorship from experienced DNP-prepared nurses who are known for their ethical practice.
  • Participating in professional organizations that promote ethical nursing practice.
  • Advocating for ethical principles in all aspects of my nursing practice.

I believe that it is important for all nurses, but especially DNP-prepared nurses, to be aware of the ethical challenges that they may face in their practice. By being aware of these challenges, nurses can be better prepared to make ethical decisions in difficult situations.

 

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