Healthy workplaces and ethical environments: a staff nurse's perspective

Healthy workplaces contribute to improved patient safety and job satisfaction. In the development of healthy workplace cultures, various frameworks have been offered as strategy guides. There has also been a growing body of evidence that ethical climates and education can positively influence patient safety and job satisfaction. Within an ethical context, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses's Standards for Establishing and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments have been examined. It is proposed that the underpinnings of healthy workplace initiatives be built upon an ethical foundation that is apparent to staff nurses. The benefit of incorporation of an ethical context into workplace change is discussed. Evidence to support the proposal is cited and examples are given.