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Ethics and Bioethics

Ethics and Bioethics

Ethics is a philosophical study of moral actions. Ethics attempts to determine what is valuable for individuals and society. It examines the rational justification of moral judgments and analyzes what is morally just, fair, and right. Bioethics is a sub-discipline of applied ethics that analyzes the philosophical, social, and legal issues in life sciences and medicine. Ethical theories serve as a foundation for decision-making and represent the viewpoints from which people seek direction. They...

Ethical Standards I

Ethical Standards I

The American Nurses Association (ANA) created and implemented the first nationally accepted Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. The Code of Ethics is a living document regularly updated by the ANA and establishes an ethical standard that is non-negotiable for nurses in all roles and settings.
The Code of Ethics provisions outline the nurse's duty to the patient, the healthcare team, the profession, and society. The Code's fundamental principles include advocacy,...

Ethical Standards II

Ethical Standards II

Ethical standards are the backbone of nursing practice, guiding nurses as they interact with patients, families, and colleagues. These standards are crucial for providing safe, empathetic care centered on the patient's needs.
Nurses are entrusted with upholding various ethical principles and standards. Nurses forge solid therapeutic relationships using trust, empathy, autonomy, confidentiality, and professional competence.
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Ethical Issues

Ethical Issues

Nurses are essential in patient care, upholding the ethical principles of their profession and effectively navigating ethical dilemmas. Neglecting ethical issues can lead to inadequate patient care, compromised therapeutic relationships, and moral distress among healthcare workers.
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:

Ethical Dilemmas I

Ethical Dilemmas I

Ethical dilemmas in nursing are of utmost importance, as they often arise from the tension between adhering to core ethical principles and the practical realities of healthcare delivery. These dilemmas require nurses to navigate complex situations where competing ethical considerations pull them in different directions.
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Ethical Dilemmas II

Ethical Dilemmas II

Resolving an ethical dilemma in healthcare involves a systematic approach that considers every aspect of the issue, respecting both the patient's needs and values and the healthcare professional's ethical obligations. Here are potential steps to resolve an ethical dilemma:

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Are there employment risks to ethical decisions?

|January 1, 1993

Summary

A 1991 Washington State Supreme Court ruling denied job protection to a nurse who opposed her employer's artificial nutrition and hydration policy. The court found her actions were based on personal ethics, not public good, thus not qualifying for public policy exception.

Keywords:

Bioethics and Professional Ethics Death and Euthanasia Farnam v. Crista Ministries Legal Approach Warthen v. Toms River Community Memorial Hospital Washington Natural Death Act

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Area of Science:

Healthcare Law
Nursing Ethics
Employment Law

Background:

Examines a 1991 Washington State Supreme Court case concerning job protection for nurses.
Focuses on a nurse's opposition to an employer's policy on artificial nutrition and hydration withdrawal.
Addresses the legal definition of "public good" in employment disputes.

Framework:

Analyzes the public policy exception to the employment-at-will doctrine.
Interprets the legal standard for protecting employee whistleblowers.
Evaluates the distinction between personal values and public interest in legal contexts.

Implementation:

The court reviewed a case where a nurse challenged her employer's policy permitting the withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration.
The employer's policy was legal but ethically contested by the nurse.
The nurse sought to alter the employer's practice based on her ethical beliefs.

Implications:

The ruling clarified that nurses acting on personal ethical beliefs, even regarding patient care, may not be protected under public policy exceptions.
This decision impacts nurses' ability to challenge employer policies they deem unethical if not directly tied to a "public good."
Highlights the legal limitations on "whistleblower" protection for healthcare professionals in specific ethical dilemmas.