Class 8: Foundations of Ethics and Ethical Decision Making

Beliefs

What you hold to be true, often shaped by experiences, culture, and upbringing.

Values

Deeply held principles or standards that guide behaviour and choices.

Morals

Personal or societal codes that distinguish right from wrong.

Ethics

The study and application of moral principles guiding professional conduct and decision-making.

Ethical Principles

Core concepts such as autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and fidelity.

Ethical Dilemma

A situation in which competing moral principles make decision-making complex.

Why ethics in nursing is important?

Due to context the decision may not be easy, clear, align with what you may choose for yourself.

Personal values

Identify, and develop your own individual values. No one set of values is right for everyone.

Patient’s values

List alternatives, examine possible consequences

of choices, choose freely.

Consequentialism/teleological

Emphasis is on the outcome versus one guiding principle. Follow the principle of utilitarianism: most good for the greatest # of people.

Deontological

Principle and rule based. Duty based- emphasize individual rights, obligations and duties.

Caring/relational ethics

Focus on ‘caring’ as caring is foundational to nursing.

Bioethics

Based on autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice

Authonomy

Self rule

Beneficence

Duty to do good

Nonmaleficence

First, do no harm.

Paternalism

When one individual assumes the right to make decisions for another.

Justice

Seeks fairness

Fidelity

Duty to be faithful to one’s commitments.

Veracity

The truth

Provides guidance

offers a framework for ethical decision-making in complex and challenging situations.

Ensures accountability

sets out the ethical responsibilities of nurses, contributing to public trust and professional integrity

Promotes best practice

supports nurses in delivering safe, competent, compassionate, and ethical care.

Upholds professional standards

defines the ethical values that are central to the nursing profession in Canada

Navigates contemporary issues

Offers direction on emerging ethical dilemmas in health care, such as those related to technology, social justice, and evolving patient needs.

CNA code of ethics

Guidelines for ethical relationships, responsibilities, behaviors and decision-making.

CNA Code of Ethics: Honouring…

The Dignity and Autonomy of all People

CNA Code of Ethics: Valuing…

Relationships and Humanizing Care

CNA Code of Ethics: Maintaining…

Integrity and Accountability in Nursing Practice

CNA Code of Ethics: Pursing…

Truth and Reconciliation

CNA Code of Ethics: Promoting…

Social Justice

CNA Code of Ethics: Providing…

Competent Professional Nursing Practice

CNA Code of Ethics: Preserving…

Privacy and Confidentiality

Moral integrity

the quality of one’s character and integrated virtues including honesty and truthfulness

Moral dilemma

situations where there are conflicting ethical claims.

Moral distress

when the individual knows the ethically correct action to take but is unable to do so because of internal of external barriers.

Four Conditions Necessary for Ethical Decision Making: Desire & commitment…

to do what is right and good

Four Conditions Necessary for Ethical Decision Making: Knowledge…

of relevant facts of the particular situation

Four Conditions Necessary for Ethical Decision Making: Clarity…

of thought

Four Conditions Necessary for Ethical Decision Making: Some understanding…

of basic principles and concepts of ethics

Embodiment

Refers to knowledge generated from the mind, body, and spirt.

Altruism

The concern that one has for the welfare and wellbeing of others.