Care as a moral attitude in nursing

Area of Science:

• Nursing Ethics
• Philosophy of Care

Background:

• The concept of care in nursing is multifaceted and often perceived differently by individuals.
• Nurses recognize that effective nursing care transcends mere task completion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore 'care' as a fundamental moral attitude within nursing.
• To establish care as a foundational normative concept in nursing ethics.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of the term 'care' in the nursing context.
• Ethical argumentation to support care as a moral attitude.

Main Results:

• Care is proposed as more than a set of activities; it is a moral stance.
• A nurse's identity is shaped by their commitment to the caring process, not solely by performed tasks.

Conclusions:

• Care, viewed as a moral attitude, is central to the nursing profession's ethical framework.
• The ethical identity of nurses is intrinsically linked to their commitment to the caring process.