1. Nursing Ethics & Moral Distress
Rels 300 / Nurs 330
9 October 2014

2. Nurses as advocates
Within the health care team, no one is likely to provide greater continuity of care than the nurse
If the nurse is witness to patient dissatisfaction with treatment orders, or confusion or disagreement among the patient’s family, the nurse is uniquely positioned to make the decision-making process explicit
Where teamwork is valued, the nurse can make valuable contributions to the ethical process by raising alternative paths & voicing the patient’s concerns
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3. This may lead to experiences of
Nursing Roadblocks
In some situations, nurses may have to carry out orders that conflict with their ethical judgement
This may lead to experiences of
Moral distress – over sub-optimal care plans
Moral uncertainty – when a decision seems to lead to turmoil or patient distress
Subversion of moral agency – when nurses cannot exercise their own capacity for moral choice or action
Moral residue - personal feelings of guilt, remorse or inadequacy in providing an excellent standard of nursing care
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4. MORAL DISTRESS
“80% of nurses experience moral distress at work. It's one of the main reasons why nurses quit the profession.”
(click here) (up to 18:00)
(27:30)
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5. CNA Code of Ethics (2008) excerpts: http://www. cna-aiic
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6. CNA Code of Ethics (2008) excerpts: http://www. cna-aiic
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7. What is a person to do? Be ethically knowledgeable
know your moral theories
know your principles of health care ethics
learn to analyze and articulate your own moral concerns and judgements
Be alert for and aware of power dynamics
between doctor & patient
between doctor & other health care professionals
among nurses, patients and loved ones
Ensure communication excellence on behalf of health care providers and patients
Learn to be advocates for colleagues and patients
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