As a nurse, ethics and ethical decision making is an essential part of your nursing skill set. What does ethical decision making mean to you?

1. The process of choosing, evaluating and selecting the best action, in accordance with ethical principles, is called ethical decision-making. Ethical decision-making to me means that I use my skills and knowledge in order to decide what is best for my patients, while also respecting their dignity and rights. Ethical decision making also involves being conscious of my biases, limitations, and being able analyze my choices and reflect back on them. It is crucial for nurses to make ethical decisions in order to be able to give safe, compassionate and effective nursing care.
2. My personal philosophy in nursing is to focus on the individual patient. My belief is that nursing should be a patient-centered, holistic profession. Nursing must promote health, prevent illness and provide compassionate care to patients, their families, and the communities they live in. My ethics are based upon respect for dignity of human beings, autonomy, beneficence and non-maleficence. As a nurse, I feel it my duty to work with families and patients to ensure that they receive evidence-based, culturally-sensitive care. This will promote the health and well-being for my patients. Transparency, honesty and integrity are the core values of my practice. This is why I strive to communicate openly with both my patients as well as my colleagues. To provide high-quality care for my patients, I commit to continuous learning and professional growth.
3. There are many situations where conflicts could arise as a nurse. There was one time I encountered conflict in my workplace. The healthcare team was not happy about the plan of care for the patient. Effective communication skills such as assertiveness and empathy combined with active listening and empathy allowed me to listen to the views of my team members. I also used these skills to voice and express my concerns. In order to reach an acceptable compromise, we examined the policies and guidelines of the hospital. We sought out the guidance and advice of the team leader. It took patience, respect and willingness to work with others in order to resolve conflicts. For our patients’ safety and wellbeing, it is crucial to promptly address any conflict professionally and quickly.

American Nurses Association. (2015). Codification of nursing ethics with interpretation statements. Silver Spring MD, Author. Butts, J. B., & Rich, K. L. (2018). The 5th edition of Nursing Ethics: From the Curriculum to Practical Practice (5th Ed. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.