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Conscientious objection: a call to nursing leadership
Natalie J Ford1, Kimberly D Fraser2, Patricia B Marck3
1RN, BScN, Graduate Student, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Nursing Leadership (Toronto, Ont.)
|June 21, 2014
Summary
Nurse leaders must foster morally supportive environments in Canada, enabling nurses to exercise conscientious objection. This involves education, clear guidelines, and research to address barriers, ensuring ethical practice amidst evolving healthcare.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Ethics
- Healthcare Leadership
- Bioethics
Background:
- The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics (2008) acknowledges conscientious objection.
- Nurses face increasing ethical challenges due to technological advancements, policy changes, and expanded scope of practice.
- Existing frameworks may not fully support nurses in navigating conflicts of conscience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To advocate for nurse leaders to actively create morally supportive environments.
- To emphasize the importance of facilitating conscientious objection for nurses in Canada.
- To identify strategies for enhancing the understanding and enactment of conscientious objection.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis and ethical argumentation.
- Review of the CNA Code of Ethics and relevant literature.
- Discussion of the role of nurse leaders in fostering ethical climates.
Main Results:
- Morally supportive environments are crucial for open dialogue on conscience conflicts.
- Nurse leaders require enhanced education and clear workplace guidelines for conscientious objection.
- Research is needed to identify and overcome barriers to exercising conscientious objection.
Conclusions:
- Active creation of morally supportive environments by nurse leaders is essential.
- Ongoing education, policy development, and research are critical for supporting nurses' moral development and conscientious objection.
- Addressing conscientious objection is vital for ethical nursing practice in contemporary Canadian healthcare.
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