ETHICS, MORALITY and VALUES in Nursing

Ethics
-is the study of conduct and character.
-Ethics are defined as the moral principles that determine how a person or group of people will act or
behave in specific situations.
Moral / Morality
-MORAL is concerned with or relating to what is right and wrong in human behavior moral problems a
moral judgment.
-Morality is a code of behavior usually based on religious tenets, which often inform our ethical
decisions.
What is the difference between Ethics and Morality? Is There A Difference Between the TWO?
Moral Principles:
-AUTONOMY -NONMALEFICENCE
-BENEFICENCE -JUSTICE
-FIDELITY -VERACITY
AUTONOMY
-The right to make one's own decisions is referred to as autonomy.
-Nurses who adhere to this principle recognize that each client is unique, has the right to be who they
are, and can set personal goals.
Beneficence
-is defined as "doing good."
-Nurses are obligated to do good, that is, to carry out actions that benefit clients and their caregivers.
Nonmaleficence
-is the obligation to "do no harm"
-Harm can be defined as intentionally causing harm, putting someone in danger of harm, or
unintentionally causing harm.
Justice
-Fairness is another term for justice.
-Nurses are frequently confronted with decisions in which a sense of justice should prevail
Fidelity.
-Being faithful to agreements and promises is what fidelity entails.
Veracity
-Telling the truth
-Should a nurse tell the truth if it is known to be harmful?
-Is it permissible for a nurse to tell a lie when it is known that the lie will alleviate anxiety and fear?
Value

"Should I do this?" "How do I do this?"

HOW? NURSES NEEDS TO:
Examine their own values and their client's values. Understand how their values influence their
decisions.
VALUES
© Freely chosen
© Values underlie all moral dilemmas. though, not all values are moral values (people values about
work, family, religion, politics, money, and relationships.
• IMPORTANT: Values influence decisions and actions, such as nurses' ethical decision making. a
Beliefs or attitudes about the worth of a person, object, idea, or action.
Nursing Code of Ethics:
Nursing Codes of Ethics
A code of ethics is a formal statement of a group's ideals and values. It is a set of ethical principles that
(a) is shared by members of the group,
(b)reflects their moral judgments over time, and
(c)serves as a standard for their professional actions.
-A code of ethics is a set of guiding principles that all members of a profession accept.
ANA (American Nurses Association)
- Code of ETHICS