Nurses come together to face ethical issues

In today's society, the role of the nurse is complex, challenging, and, at times, conflicting. The realities of limited resources, regulations, technology, and professional and personal integrity often given rise to ethical dilemmas and difficult decisions. To deal with these, forums designed specifically for nurses are needed. At Calvary Hospital, Bronx, NY, a Nursing Ethics Group was established to explore ethical choices nurses make daily and to deal with controversies that arise in the care of advanced cancer patients. The Nursing Ethics Group's goal was to promote responsible and ethical nursing practice by increasing awareness of the ethical dimensions of nursing, facilitating communication among nurses, and familiarizing nurses with ethical principles and components of the decision-making process. The group evolved in three phases: exploration of feelings and issues, consideration of an ethical decision-making model, and values clarification. Although membership is open to all, a core group has been established to plan agendas and provide continuity. Plans call for integrating sessions on values clarification and the ethical decision-making process into the orientation program and continuing education programs for all staff.