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. Ethical decision making in nursing is the process of identifying, evaluating, and choosing the best course of action based on ethical principles and values. To me, ethical decision making means using my knowledge, skills, and values to make decisions that are in the best interest of my patients while respecting their autonomy, dignity, and rights. It also means being aware of my own biases and limitations and being able to critically analyze and reflect on my decisions. Ethical decision making is essential in nursing as it helps nurses to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to their patients and to maintain professional integrity and accountability.
2. My personal nursing philosophy statement is centered on the patient and their individual needs. I believe that nursing is a holistic, patient-centered profession that focuses on promoting health, preventing illness, and providing compassionate care to individuals, families, and communities. My philosophy is based on the principles of respect for human dignity, autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. I believe that as a nurse, it is my responsibility to collaborate with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals to provide evidence-based care that is culturally sensitive and promotes the well-being of my patients. I value honesty, integrity, and transparency in my practice and strive to maintain open communication with my patients and colleagues. I am committed to lifelong learning and professional development to enhance my knowledge and skills and to provide the highest quality care to my patients.
3. As a nurse, conflicts can arise in various settings, including the workplace and personal life. One instance where I experienced conflict was in the workplace, where there was a disagreement among the healthcare team regarding the care plan for a patient. To resolve the conflict, I used effective communication skills, such as active listening, empathy, and assertiveness, to understand the perspectives of the team members and to express my own concerns and ideas. We also consulted the hospital policies and guidelines and sought advice from the healthcare team leader to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution. I realized that conflict resolution requires patience, respect, and willingness to work collaboratively with others to achieve a common goal. It is essential to address conflicts promptly and professionally to maintain a positive and supportive work environment and to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients.

References: American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. Silver Spring, MD: Author. Butts, J. B., & Rich, K. L. (2018). Nursing ethics: Across the curriculum and into practice (5th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.