What is personal ethics?

Everyone has a set of personal ethics and morals, which guide their decisions and actions, distinguishing right from wrong.

Autonomy

The right of individuals to make their own decisions

Beneficence

Acting with kindness and compassion, aiming to do good

Veracity

Commitment to telling the truth

Fidelity

Keeping promises and commitments made to others

Justice

Ensuring actions are fair and equitable to all involved

what are personal and client values?

Understanding both the nurse’s and the client’s values is crucial in providing ethical care. Values guide behavior and decision-making in nursing practice.

Altruism

Acting selflessly for the benefit of others, often at a personal cost

Human Dignity

All individuals, regardless of their background or identity, have inherent value and should be respected equally

Moral Uprightness

Nurses must demonstrate honesty and adhere to strong moral principles in their professional conduct.

Health Care Equity

Every person, irrespective of their societal status, has the right to quality health care. This concept is also referred to as distributive justice.

Professional Negligence

When a nurse’s actions deviate from accepted standards of practice and result in harm to a client, they may be liable for malpractice.

Tort law

Civil Wrongs: A tort occurs when an individual’s action or inaction causes harm to another person. Torts can be intentional (e.g., assault) or unintentional (e.g., negligence).

Implied Consent

Consent inferred from a person’s actions (e.g., presenting for treatment).

Informed Consent

Written consent given after a client is fully informed about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a procedure. It ensures clients can make well-informed decisions about their health care.

Good Samaritan Laws

Legal Protection for Off-Duty Care: Nurses are not legally required to provide care outside of work. However, if they choose to do so, Good Samaritan Laws protect them from liability as long as they act within their professional capacity and are not willfully negligent

Whistleblowing

Reporting Wrongdoing: Whistleblowing involves reporting illegal or unethical practices. While it can lead to punitive actions against the wrongdoer, whistleblowers may face stress, fear of retaliation, and other challenges. Laws exist to protect whistleblowers from such reprisals.

Mandatory Reporting

Legal Duty to Report: Nurses are legally required to report any information that can prevent maltreatment or ensure the safety of others. As mandatory reporters, nurses must report instances of abuse, neglect, or other forms of harm