[Ethical behavior in nursing: understanding nursing responsibilities]

Responsibility in nursing care is first and foremost interpreted in a legal context. However, nursing care is characterised by everyday-decisions implementing ethical responsibilities. Ethical questions concerning life and death decisions and genetic engineering are discussed vividly and on a broad basis, whereas "little" ethical topics with which nurses are confronted in their everyday care are hardly ever topics of discussion. However, it is necessary to focus more on these questions in order to enable the next generation of nursing staff to improve their skills and knowledge regarding ethical responsibilities. In addition to existing parameters of nursing training substantial importance should be placed on conscious handling of ethical day-to-day decisions of nursing students. Responsible behaviour should be taught and acceptable conditions on all levels have to be created. This article examines relevant existing conditions regarding the above mentioned question of responsibilities.