Nurse ethicists: Innovative resource or ideological aspiration?

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Bioethics
• Healthcare Ethics

Background:

• Growing international advocacy for formal advanced practice roles for nurse ethicists in hospitals.
• The concept, originating in the USA, is now being considered in the UK, Australia, and other regions.
• The proposed role is controversial, sparking debates on the theoretical, methodological, and political aspects of clinical ethics support services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the justification and requirements for a formal nurse ethicist role.
• To address key questions regarding the credentials, standards of practice, and function of nurse ethicists.
• To determine the optimal contexts for nurse ethicist deployment in hospital settings.

Main Methods:

• Discursive essay examining the role of nurses within clinical ethics support services.
• Analysis of the theoretical and practical dimensions of establishing a nurse ethicist position.
• Consideration of credentialing and practice standards for advanced practice nurses in ethics.

Main Results:

• The establishment of nurse ethicists in advanced practice roles is debated.
• Key questions remain regarding the necessary qualifications and scope of practice for nurse ethicists.
• The integration of nurses into clinical ethics support services requires careful consideration.

Conclusions:

• Nurses aspiring to be nurse ethicists require a strong foundation in moral philosophy and nursing ethics.
• The primary goal of nurse ethicists should be to promote ethical nursing practice and quality patient care.
• Substantive grounding in ethics is essential for nurses in advanced practice roles focused on ethics.