ETHICS AND THE DNP-PREPARED NURSE
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.
TO PREPARE:
• Review the case studies/scenarios related to ethical challenges presented in this week’s Learning Resources.
• Reflect on ethical challenges related to the organization or at the point of care that you may have encountered in your nursing practice.
• Consider what new ethical challenges you might face once you obtain your doctoral degree.
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
1. Resource Allocation
DNP-prepared nurses often play a role in resource allocation decisions at the organizational and clinical levels. This can be a challenging ethical issue, as there are often limited resources available and many competing demands. DNP-prepared nurses must use their ethical principles to guide their decision-making and ensure that resources are allocated in a fair and equitable manner.
Full Answer Section
Comparison to Ethical Issues Encountered in Practice As a registered nurse, I have encountered resource allocation challenges in my practice. For example, I have worked in units where there were not enough staff to meet the needs of the patients. This has led to difficult decisions about how to prioritize care and allocate limited resources. Example A DNP-prepared nurse is working in a hospital that has a limited number of ICU beds. The nurse is responsible for deciding which patients should be admitted to the ICU. There are two patients who are equally critical, but there is only one ICU bed available. The nurse must use their ethical principles to decide which patient to admit to the ICU.- Ethical Leadership
- Conflicts of interest: DNP-prepared nurses may be involved in research or consulting activities that could create conflicts of interest. For example, a DNP-prepared nurse may be involved in research that is funded by a pharmaceutical company. The nurse must be careful to avoid any conflicts of interest that could compromise their objectivity or judgment.
- Patient autonomy: DNP-prepared nurses must respect the autonomy of their patients. This means that patients have the right to make decisions about their own care, even if the nurse disagrees with those decisions.
- Vulnerable populations: DNP-prepared nurses often work with vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. These populations may be more susceptible to exploitation and abuse. DNP-prepared nurses must take special care to protect the rights and safety of these populations.