Ethics in a nursing program and practice.

Sample Solution

While integrity and ethical conduct are pillars of the nursing profession, both nursing education programs and the professional practice face potential consequences from unethical behavior. Let's examine specific examples for each domain, exploring the negative impacts within a 250-word limit and drawing from recent scholarly sources:

1. Unethical Behavior in a Master's Nursing Program:

Example: Plagiarism in a research project for a graduate-level course.

Consequences:

• Academic Integrity Breach: Plagiarism undermines the program's academic integrity and devalues the achievements of ethical students. It casts doubt on the student's research skills and potential as a future nurse leader.

Full Answer Section

• Reputational Damage: If discovered, the student faces repercussions like failing the course, expulsion from the program, and damage to their academic and professional reputation. The program itself could also face scrutiny and criticism for potential lax oversight.
• Unprepared Graduates: Cheating doesn't equip students with the necessary knowledge and critical thinking skills for advanced nursing practice. This could lead to unsafe patient care and ethical dilemmas in the future.

(Reference: Kang & Hwang, 2020)**

2. Unethical Behavior in Nursing Practice:

Example: Falsifying patient documentation to justify unnecessary procedures or medication administration for financial gain.

Consequences:

• Patient Harm: Incorrect or fabricated documentation can lead to misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment, and potential harm to patients. Trust in the healthcare system and nursing profession deteriorates.
• Legal Repercussions: Falsification of records is a serious legal offense, leading to license suspension, fines, and even imprisonment. It can also trigger civil lawsuits from affected patients.
• Erosion of Trust: Such behavior destroys the vital trust between patients and nurses, impacting the quality of care and hindering effective communication and collaboration.

(Reference: Rafii et al., 2019)**

Conclusion:

Unethical behavior, whether in nursing education or practice, has significant consequences for individuals, programs, and the profession as a whole. Upholding ethical standards is not just a moral obligation but crucial for patient safety, program integrity, and maintaining public trust in nursing. Ongoing education, robust anti-plagiarism measures, and strong ethical codes are essential to prevent and address such behavior in both domains.