MODULE 2M - ETHICS AND VALUES SYSTEM

DEFINITION OF TERMS PROFESSIONAL VALUES

• VALUES • values that are acquired during socialization in
o comes from the Latin word “Valere” which their respective professions.
means to measure the worth of
something. CORE VALUES OF A NURSE
o set of personal beliefs, attitudes about truth • FIVE VALUES ESSENTIAL FOR THE
and beauty. PROFESSIONAL NURSE - American
o freely chosen enduring beliefs or attitudes Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN,1998)
about the worth of a person, object, idea, or
action. AS REFLECTED IN
VALUES PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
• VALUE SYSTEM – organization of a person’s
values along a continuum of relative importance. ALTRUISM – nurse’s concern for the
• ETHICS concern for the welfare of patients, other
o “ethos” means custom or character. welfare and well- nurses, and other
o method of inquiry that help people to being of others. healthcare providers.
understand the morality of human behavior. AUTONOMY – nurse respects patient’s
o practices or beliefs of a certain group. right to self- rights to make decision for
o expected standards of behavior of a group. determination their healthcare.
• BIOETHICS HUMAN DIGNITY – nurse values and respects all
o ethics as applied to human life or health. respect for the patients and colleagues.
• MORALITY OR MORALS inherent worth and
o denotes what is right or wrong in conduct, uniqueness of
character, attitude, and what individuals individuals and
would do to live together in a society. populations.
o human conduct itself in the light of ethics. INTEGRITY – nurse is honest and
• NURSING ETHICS acting in provides care based on an
o ethical issues that occur in nursing practice. accordance with ethical framework that is
an appropriate accepted within the
IMPORTANCE OF VALUES code of ethics and profession.
• gives definite direction to one’s life accepted
• serves as “guiding star” which navigates our lives. standards of
• it reflects a person’s identity practice.
SOCIAL JUSTICE nurse works to ensure
• motivates behavior
– upholding moral, equal treatment under the
• gives meaning to life in fulfilling self-esteem and
legal, and law and equal access to
promotes self-actualization
humanistic quality healthcare.
• basis for individual’s position on personal, principles.
professional, social, and philosophical issues
• shapes and determines an individual or group FOUR IMPORTANT VALUES OF NURSING (Jean Watson)
decision to like or dislike, favor, or disfavor, change • strong commitment to service
or not change. • belief in the dignity and worth of each person
PERSONAL VALUES • commitment to education
• family unity • professional autonomy
• self-worth BEHAVIORS THAT MAY INDICATE UNCLEAR VALUES
• religion • ignoring a health professional’s advice.
• honesty o example: a client with heart disease who
• fairness values hard work ignores advice to
• love exercise regularly.
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• inconsistent communication or behavior.
o a pregnant woman says she wants a CONFIDENTIALITY clients have a right to
healthy baby but continues to drink and – refers to an privacy in the healthcare
smoke tobacco. agreement that system.
• numerous admissions to a health agency for the restricts or limits
same problem access to information. confidential information is
o a middle-aged, obese woman repeatedly also termed as privileged
seeks help for back pain but does not lose communication because
weight. it is given based on trust.
• confusion or uncertainty about which course of
action to take any information gathered
o a woman wants to obtain a job to meet by nurses during caring
financial obligations, but also want to stay at for their parents should
home to care for an ailing husband. always be treated
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES confidentially. This duty
extends even after the
patient’s death.
AUTONOMY nurses recognize that each client is
- refers to the unique, has the right to be who that • as a nurse, you advocate for the health, safety
right to make individual is, and has the right to and rights of the client.
one’s own choose personal goals. • ADVOCACY – refers to the support of a cause.
decisions.
• the functions of the advocacy role are to inform,
- respect for nurses respect a client’s right to make
autonomy decision even when these choices support, and mediate.
seem to the nurse not to be in the • nurses must also have professional
client’s best interest. accountability and responsibility.
NON- harm may be: • ACCOUNTABILITY – refers to the ability to
MALEFICENCE - intentionally causing harm answer for one’s own actions.
- is the duty to - placing someone at risk of harm • RESPONSIBILITY – refers to the specific
“do no harm” - unintentionally causing harm accountability or liability associated with the
BENEFICENCE nurses are obligated to do good, that performance of duties of a particular role.
- means “doing is, to implement actions that benefit CDU – CN VALUES AND GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES
good” clients and their support persons.
JUSTICE nurses often face decision in which • Compassion and Courtesy (Holistic Caring Care
- is sense of justice should prevail. and Good Manners)
frequently
referred to • Dedication and Discipline (Lifelong learner,
as fairness. Social Involvement, Research and Productivity)
FIDELITY nurses have responsibilities to clients,
- means to be employers, government and society
• Uprightness (Ethically Responsible)
faithful to as well as to themselves by virtue of
agreements their standing as professional
and promises. caregivers. • Competence and Commitment (Professional
VERACITY should a nurse tell the truth when it is Competence, Global Mindset, Technically
- refers to telling known that it will cause harm? Experiences, Critical Thinker, Effective
the truth Communicator, Team Collaborator)
does a nurse tell a lie when it is known
that the lie will relieve anxiety and • Neatness (Cleanliness)
fear?
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THE INFLUENCE OF VALUES IN ONE’S PROFESSIONAL & DAILY o AIDS
LIFE PRACTICES o cultural differences
o spiritual and religious differences
• demonstrates understanding of cultures, beliefs, and • nurses are responsible for determining their own
perspectives of others. actions and for supporting clients who are
• advocates for patients, particularly the most making moral decisions.
vulnerable. • nurses can enhance their ethical practice and
• takes risks on behalf of patients and colleagues. client advocacy by clarifying their own values,
• mentors other professionals. understanding the values of other healthcare
• plans care in partnership with patients. professionals, becoming familiar with nursing
• honors the right of patients and families to make codes of ethics and participating in ethics
decisions about health. committees or rounds.
VALUES CLARIFICATION PROCESS
• a process by which people identify (choosing),
examine (prizing), and develop (acting) their own
individual values.
• THE THREE PROCESSES:
o CHOOSING (COGNITIVE) – beliefs are
chosen freely among alternatives without
pressure after reflecting and considering
consequences.
o PRIZING (AFFECTIVE) – chosen beliefs
are cherished and prized.
o ACTING (BEHAVIORAL) – chosen beliefs
of a person are affirmed to others and
incorporated, demonstrated consistently in
one’s life.
• EXAMPLE OF THE THREE PROCESSES:
o CHOOSING (COGNITIVE) – a person
learns about environmental issues – the
need to minimize use of or recycle limited
resources.
o PRIZING (AFFECTIVE) – the person is
proud of the belief that he/she has an
obligation to participate in ways of reducing
waste.
o ACTING (BEHAVIORAL) – the person
participates in the recycling program in the
community and in other activities related to
the environment.
ETHICAL ISSUES IN THE FAMILY & COMMUNITY
• as a nurse, one should explore the values and
beliefs regarding the following:
o individual’s right to make decision for self
o abortion
o passive and active euthanasia
o blood transfusion