NUR 5043 - Ethics & Policy Issues

The American healthcare system does not have all the answers. Respect for the belief systems of others and the effects of those beliefs on health is critical. The final challenge is trust because authority figures in some cultures are not to be trusted. Patients might feel powerless.

This program explores ethics in nursing, according to the Australian Code of Nursing Ethics. It defines ethics, clarifies what ethics are not, defines duty of care, and explains why it is critical that nurses know about ethics and the behavior standards expected of their profession. Nurses obtain ethical knowledge through personal and professional life experience, as well as by studying codes of ethics and philosophical theories that provide a general framework for decision making. This video examines various types of ethical philosophies and discusses how they inform and impact moral deliberation and decision making for the best possible patient outcomes in the complex world of healthcare.

Informed consent protects patients and health care professionals from potential legal ramifications of health care procedures. This video, depicting two case studies, highlights the five core principles of informed consent; the criteria necessary for valid informed consent; and the ethical, legal, and professional issues nurses may encounter.

Participants agree or disagree on statements about extraordinary medical treatment, children involved in research studies, vegetative states on life support, rights to a heart transplant, and healthcare aid to developing nations. Kovarik outlines critical thinking criteria for healthcare professionals.