Experiences of a nursing ethics forum. Case studies and outcomes

Nursing staff members should need few rules and should focus on using critical thinking to guide nursing practice and care. Nurses are decision makers participating in collaborative practice. A high degree of professionalism, responsibility, and accountability is expected. We feel that this program has succeeded not only in meeting the mission and vision of the department of nursing but also that of the hospital. It also has developed to promote the philosophy that nurses must be committed to providing excellence in patient care. In addition to developing this group concept as a model, our intention is to assist staff members with the continued expansion of the group and its tenets. As Uustal asserted, the knowledge of ethical theories and principles can stimulate the nurse's thinking, and ethical decision making can offer direction; however, only you can make ethical decisions. We hope to continue the development of clinical, ethical decision-making skills and to promote the value of this program to the ongoing growth and development of professionalism in nursing.