Bio ethics health care

Health Care Profession

A trained occupation focused on giving health services.

Health Care Practitioner

A trained person who provides health care (nurses, doctors, midwives, medical technologists, etc.).

Practitioner Qualities

Must be a person for others; patient's need comes before convenience, pride, or personal comfort.

Nursing as a Calling

More than employment; it is a vocation and a life mission of service to God and neighbor.

Why Be a Nurse?

Training prepares nurses to work efficiently and competently, involving dedication, mission, and commitment.

Right Motivation in Nursing

Nursing should not be chosen for glamour, money, or image; the deeper reason is service to patients and society.

Client / Patient

The one receiving care or therapy, with a health need that must be identified.

Responsibilities of the Client / Patient

Encouraged to take an active role in care, giving consent, answering questions honestly, and cooperating with therapeutic activities.

Health Care Provider

A professional who helps identify, prevent, or treat illness or disability.

Therapeutic Relationship

Nurse-client relationship exists to meet therapeutic needs, with boundaries, purpose, and accountability.

Practice Standard 1: Professional Boundaries

Nurse establishes and maintains boundaries to keep the relationship safe and therapeutic.

Practice Standard 2: Beginning, Maintaining, Ending Care

Nurse manages the relationship from admission to discharge, with patient's needs remaining first.

Practice Standard 3: No Friendship or Romantic Relationship

Nurses must not enter friendship, romantic, or sexual relationships with clients.

Practice Standard 4: Caution with Former Clients

Socializing with former clients requires caution due to potential vulnerability or dependency.

Practice Standards 5-7: Dual Roles with Family/Friends

Caring for family or friends needs caution; transfer care if possible.

Practice Standard 8: Confidential Information

Nurses must never misuse private information; confidentiality protects dignity and rights.

Practice Standards 9-10: Self-Disclosure and Therapeutic Touch

Share personal info only if therapeutic; supportive touch must be appropriate.

Practice Standards 11-12: Respectful Communication and No Abuse

Demeaning, insulting, humiliating, or disrespectful communication is unacceptable.

Practice Standards 13-16: Representation, Gifts, Family, Colleagues

Nurses do not act as legal representatives; gift exchange is generally not acceptable.

Key Summary

Health care is a trained profession and service to society; nursing requires competence and compassion.