Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing

Nurses face many ethical dilemmas in their clinical practice. These dilemmas can be complex and challenging, and there is often no easy answer. Nurses must carefully consider all of the factors involved in a situation before making a decision.

Some of the most common ethical dilemmas that nurses face include:

• Respecting the wishes of a suffering client that he is permitted to die with dignity. This is a difficult dilemma, as nurses are trained to preserve life. However, nurses also have a duty to respect the wishes of their patients. In this situation, the nurse would need to weigh the patient’s right to autonomy against their duty to preserve life. The nurse would also need to consider the wishes of the patient’s family and other healthcare professionals involved in the patient’s care.
• Respecting the health surrogate’s wishes regarding termination of life support. This is another difficult dilemma, as nurses may have their own personal beliefs about end-of-life care. However, nurses must respect the wishes of the health surrogate, who has been legally authorized to make decisions on the patient’s behalf. In this situation, the nurse would need to carefully review the patient’s medical records and discuss the case with the health surrogate and other healthcare professionals involved in the patient’s care.
• Observing another nurse take two tablets of oxycodone as ordered but keeping one for herself. This is a clear example of unethical behavior. Nurses have a responsibility to report any suspected drug diversion to their supervisor. Drug diversion can have serious consequences for patients and other healthcare professionals. In this situation, the nurse would need to report the incident to their supervisor and cooperate with any investigation.

Example of an ethical dilemma in clinical practice

I have not yet faced an ethical dilemma in my own clinical practice, as I am still in nursing school. However, I have researched one ethical dilemma that nurses may face:

A nurse is caring for a patient who is terminally ill and has expressed a desire to die with dignity. The patient’s family, however, is opposed to withdrawing life support.

This is a difficult dilemma, as the nurse must balance the patient’s right to autonomy with the family’s right to self-determination. The nurse would need to carefully consider all of the factors involved in the situation, including the patient’s medical condition, the family’s wishes, and the ethical guidelines of the healthcare facility.

In this situation, the nurse would likely need to consult with other healthcare professionals, such as the patient’s physician and an ethicist. The nurse would also need to provide the family with education and support so that they can make an informed decision about the patient’s care.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to withdraw life support is up to the family. However, the nurse has a responsibility to advocate for the patient’s wishes and to ensure that the patient receives the care that they want.

Feelings experienced while making an ethical decision

Making an ethical decision can be a difficult and stressful experience. Nurses may feel a range of emotions, such as anxiety, guilt, and uncertainty. It is important for nurses to remember that they are not alone in facing these challenges. There are resources available to help nurses navigate ethical dilemmas, such as ethics committees and clinical ethicists.

If you are a nurse and you are facing an ethical dilemma, please reach out for help. There are people who can support you and help you make the best decision for your patient.