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Lack of Ethical Behavior and Resulting Harm in Education and Nursing

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Lack of Ethical Behavior and Resulting Harm in Education and Nursing

Society is mostly governed by rules and principles defining what is acceptable and

unacceptable; through this, we have maintained a high level of order and civilization. One of the

main factors governing society and our different communities is ethics; this refers to the moral

principles that guide an individual’s behaviour and their conduct (Rich, 2016). Without ethics,

people would engage in vices or other undesirable traits for selfish interests. The healthcare and

education sectors are fundamental institutions that require high levels of ethics to function

properly. Individuals in these sectors offer sensitive and vital services to the rest of the

community; therefore, it is paramount for them to ensure that they act accordingly and

professionally; otherwise, the recipients of these services could suffer. Although high levels of

professionalism are required to govern these sectors, it is important to understand that there are

countless cases of individuals acting unethically. This is highly disadvantageous to the people

relying on these services as they have to pay for the unethical behaviors of individuals supposed

to guide or protect them. A lack of ethical behavior in education and nursing is dangerous; it

undermines societal values and principles and could also lead to a lack of trust in these crucial

sectors. When the reputation of such institutions is destroyed, people may have a difficult time

attaining services meant to improve their living standards. 

Understanding the moral philosophy of ethics

Before taking a deep dive into the effect of lack of ethics in education and nursing, it is

paramount to comprehend the moral philosophy of ethics. According to most scholars, ethics

describes the factors that make an action right or wrong; in moral philosophy, there are three

major categories that can be applied to better understand ethics: meta-ethics, applied ethics and

normative ethics. Metaethics is a major branch which analyzes where our moral principles

originate; it also seeks to understand the meaning behind different ethical behaviors and the
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resulting impacts of such traits (Rich, 2016). Applied ethics integrates philosophical tools to

better analyze controversial issues and practical solutions to these challenges. Normative ethics

focuses on the moral standards constructed by the society which regulate right and wrong

behavior (Rich, 2016). For this assessment, we will focus more on normative ethics by analyzing

some of the most popular theories like deontology, virtue ethics and utilitarianism.

Lack of ethical behavior and resulting harm in education

Education is one of the most important sectors in society; doctors, engineers, nurses,

teachers and even scientists have to pass through the education system to be highly skilled

persons. Apart from offering intellectual knowledge, the education sector is also tasked with the

major responsibility of making people as civilized as possible. By civilized, we mean that the

education sector needs to shape individuals with high moral and ethical standards. People need to

understand that certain behaviors are not tolerated in society regardless of the situation; through

this, it is easier and more practical to have all-rounded citizens who are both skilled and

responsible.

Cheating in academics

However, the education sector also faces ethical challenges that impact service delivery

and integrity. One of the biggest ethical challenges experienced within the education sector is

cheating; this significantly lowers the integrity of the education sector and leads to a bad

reputation, especially among students (Ehrich et al., 2011). When teachers fail to pay attention to

what is happening, students can easily cheat, thus acquiring grades that do not reflect their

abilities. According to virtue ethics, good conduct is necessary to lead a peaceful and fulfilling

life. Virtue ethics focuses on the quest to live and understand a life of moral character. Some

common values supported by virtue ethics include integrity, honesty, fairness, courage, among
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others (Carr et al., 2016). These are fundamental values required to lead an accountable life;

through virtue ethics, people are discouraged from engaging in activities that would lower ethical

standards. Cheating is a perfect example of an activity that would lower ethical standards in the

education sector (Ehrich et al., 2011). For a long time, this sector has had a massive challenge

dealing with such vices. When educators and students engage in academic dishonesty, the

integrity of the education system is significantly undermined, thus leading to unrealistic

advantages or disadvantages among certain students. There are various forms that can be taken

as cheating; they include plagiarizing information, being dishonest regarding academic

achievements and copying answers during examinations. The disadvantage of cheating is that the

harm can have long-lasting impacts and could also affect other innocent individuals in the chain. 

For instance, cheating reduces the value of academic achievements; students who have

toiled to attain good grades or distinctions may not get the attention they deserve because of the

long-lasting impacts of cheating. It can also create a culture of dishonesty and erode trust; this

means that some educational institutions may not be trusted in future once it is established that

they were involved in cheating (Ehrich et al., 2011). Building reputation and trust after this is

extremely challenging and it could take an institution years or even decades to return to its

former glory. Students who cheat do more harm as they miss out on the chance to develop

critical skills that would be beneficial in future. For example, an engineering student involved in

cheating may feel good for a short while, but when it comes to applying their skills in real life,

they may fail to do what is expected. When cheating is unresolved, a cohort of unskilled and

dishonest individuals will dominate different industries, ultimately leading to slowed and poor

development in the country.

Discrimination
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  This is another major ethical challenges that has crippled the education sector for the

longest time. Discrimination takes many different forms; it includes things like ableism, racism

and sexism; educators who promote discriminatory practices can significantly hinder the quality

of education. It can also prevent a safe learning environment where students feel marginalized

and excluded from what is rightfully theirs. This ethical challenge is best explained with the

utilitarian ethical concept. According to utilitarianism, actions are considered ethically and

morally acceptable if they lead to the greatest good for the greatest number (Lyons, 2015). In this

case, discrimination harms more people; therefore, it cannot be considered an ethical act. It is

fundamental for educators to realize that people do not get the chance to choose their appearance,

background or health condition; this means that students with special needs need to be shown

greater attention and love instead of discriminating against them or treating them like they are

less important. 

When students are discriminated against, their academic performance is also affected

considerably; discrimination promotes a harmful environment that can prevent students from

reaching their full potential. Also, another critical thing that is affected by discrimination is their

mental well-being; students who experience this tend to develop severe mental challenges like

anxiety and, in extreme cases, depression. When the mental health of an individual is affected, it

is likely that their future may also be negatively impacted. Discriminated students disengage

from their peers because they feel unsupported and unloved; if this is not resolved in good time,

their future prospects will also be affected negatively. Teachers and other educators must

prioritize equity and equality because students are different. They also need to understand that

students require support regardless of their condition; when students are properly supported, their

academic performance and social interactions improve.

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Inadequate safety in educational settings

 This is a significant ethical challenge that affects both teachers and students; it can cause

serious harm to students, teachers and even the community surrounding the educational

institution. Students with low ethical standards can indulge in unfair practices that hinder the

safety of other students (Peters, 2015). For instance, bullying is ethically unacceptable, yet

millions of students experience it within their educational settings. Based on virtue ethics, it is

highly recommended to adhere to ethical principles and promote ethical values like fairness and

justice so that others do not suffer. This means that students need to realize they are equal and

should not treat others unfairly. 

Teachers also experience safety challenges in their educational settings; in recent years,

several mass school shootings have led to the deaths of innocent students and teachers. When

educators feel insecure within learning institutions, they may not offer better educational services

as required. Safety can also arise due to other factors like insufficient supervision and inadequate

security measures in learning institutions (Peters, 2015). The harm caused by unsafe learning

environments could lead to more serious consequences like impacting the students’ mental

health, well-being, and academic performance. It is fundamental for learning institutions to

implement proper and practical security measures that would protect every student from potential

risks. 

Inappropriate relationships between students and educators

The issue of inappropriate relationships between educators and students has persisted for

a long time; it is a major ethical challenge that impacts the quality of education. When teachers

promote relationships between them and students, it could easily lead to the destruction of trust

and considerable emotional harm between teachers and students. The parties involved will likely
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face serious legal consequences once the necessary authorities discover their relationship. It is

vital to understand that inappropriate relationships between teachers and students do not

necessarily focus on the romantic side but can also be manifested via favouritism and sexual

relations. Such instances could disrupt the students’ future relationships, mental health and self-

esteem. For teachers, the illegal relationships could lead to severe consequences like criminal

charges and the termination of their teaching licenses. 

It is, therefore, fundamental for educators and students to establish boundaries and stick

to the main agenda. Educational facilities could further provide the necessary ethical training on

ethical behavior and prevent any instance that could lead to unnecessary relationships between

tutors and students. Lack of ethical behavior in education can result in serious harm; in some

cases, it could result in unanticipated challenges that could further destroy the reputation and

trust of the education sector. To manage these issues, it is crucial for the education sector to

implement effective procedures and policies that would ensure every student is treated

respectfully and fairly. The policies and procedures implemented within the education sector

should promote inclusion, diversity, equality and should also enforce academic honesty (Ehrich

et al., 2011). Students and teachers need to follow the implemented policies to have a fair and

all-rounded education system.

Lack of ethical behavior and resulting harm in nursing

Like the education sector, the healthcare sector is one of the most relied upon areas in any

community; healthcare determines the productivity of individuals. This means that a productive

and developed region can only be attained once the healthcare sector is well-maintained and

guided by a team of responsible individuals. Even though the healthcare sector is among the

most trusted, there are serious concerns that ethical challenges significantly impact this sector.
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The challenges arising within the healthcare sector are more serious because they directly affect

the lives of people in desperate conditions. Nurses play a valuable role in this industry; whenever

their duties are impacted by unethical behaviour, the impact is felt significantly as patients are

also affected. Nursing is a vital profession that provides care to people and communities, thus

alleviating suffering and preventing illnesses. Most people expect nurses to act ethically and with

full integrity as per their codes of conduct. When ethical behavior is not upheld among nurses,

healthcare institutions could have a bad reputation. 

Privacy and confidentiality

Privacy and confidentiality are among the primary ethical challenges that greatly

undermine the delivery of services and the integrity of the nurses. Nurses who do not respect

confidentiality and privacy openly violate the law and their codes of conduct. According to the

American Nurses Association (ANA), beneficence is a fundamental quality that nurses should

uphold; it is acting for the good and welfare of other individuals by promoting attributes like

charity and kindness (Epstein & Turner, 2015). The ANA defines this as actions guided by

compassion; maintaining privacy and confidentiality is an important attribute that also shows

kindness and respect for people’s decisions. Nurses have an obligation to maintain the

confidentiality and privacy of their patients’ information at all times. Failure to adhere to this

could result in harm among the patients, such as emotional distress, lack of trust and humiliation.

Based on virtue ethics, individuals, including nurses, are expected to act in a manner that

promotes kindness and integrity; through maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of patients’

information, nurses depict high levels of kindness and integrity (Epstein & Turner, 2015). Failure

to adhere to privacy protection could adversely impact the nurses; for instance, this could lead to
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the loss of nursing licenses and lawsuits. Nurses should follow the legal requirements and ethical

principles related to patient confidentiality and privacy. 

Inappropriate relationships

Unapproved and inappropriate relationships between colleagues or patients is another

major challenge that shows nurses' lack of ethical behavior. Just like any other profession, nurses

are expected to always depict high professional boundaries with their colleagues and patients.

Failure to adhere to this could result to harm in professional reputation or even the patient; legal

consequences could also be a major consequence leading to the loss of one’s job or

imprisonment for violating the rules meant to protect patients. 

Within the healthcare sector, inappropriate relationships could take various forms like

favoritism, emotional abuse and sexual relationships. These relationships should not be promoted

as they could adversely impact a patient’s mental and physical state, further worsening their

condition. Additionally, the self-esteem and future relationships of the patient could be affected;

nurses’ violation of ethical behaviors, especially with patients, should never be tolerated.

Boundaries should be established so that nurses and patients understand what is required of

them; this will prevent instances where nurses and patients get entangled in relationships that

could impact the delivery of healthcare services (Rich, 2016). 

Inadequate cultural competence

  Nurses who fail to recognize cultural competence promote poor service delivery as they

cannot adequately understand what their patients require to improve their overall state. The

healing process is not only focused on the physical aspect but also the emotional side. Nurses

who fail to recognize cultural competence promote unethical behavior, as they could do

something that violates the patient’s rights and privileges. Care that is culturally sensitive should
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be provided by nurses regardless of the situation (Kangasniemi et al., 2015). Apart from

providing culturally sensitive care, the nurses should ensure that it is also very respectful and

appropriate to the patients’ preferences and needs. Nurses who fail to adhere to cultural

competence can foster inappropriate care, misunderstandings and miscommunication. It can also

break the trust between nurses and patients, thus making it challenging to offer effective

treatment services. Patient satisfaction would be greatly reduced when nurses fail to adhere to

their cultural competence; therefore, it is fundamental that nurses receive extensive knowledge of

cultural competence so they can know how to deal with their patients (Yıldız, 2019). Healthcare

facilities like hospitals should also ensure that nurses are provided with skills that promote

culturally sensitive care. Eventually, when this is carefully administered, healthcare objectives

can be easily attained by the professionals. 

Conclusion

Based on the analysis, it is evident that ethical challenges have serious consequences for

educators and nurses. The education and nursing sector experience significant challenges when

ethical principles and guidelines are not followed. For example, when cheating is not resolved

within the education sector, restoring the trust that was once associated with that particular

education facility would be difficult. When teachers unethically engage in relationships with

their students, great challenges can be experienced in the long run; for example, the students may

fail to perform as expected academically; with time, their mental state would also be severely

affected. In nursing, the ethical challenges can be worse than expected since they could lead to

the death of a patient. Therefore, nurses and healthcare facilities must prioritize ethical behavior

and implement effective policies and procedures to promote privacy and confidentiality, cultural

competence and professional boundaries between nurses and patients (Yıldız, 2019).
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References

Carr, D., Arthur, J., & Kristjánsson, K. (Eds.). (2016). Varieties of virtue ethics. Springer.

Ehrich, L. C., Kimber, M., Millwater, J., & Cranston, N. (2011). Ethical dilemmas: A model to

understand teacher practice. Teachers and Teaching: theory and practice, 17(2), 173-185.

Epstein, B., & Turner, M. (2015). The nursing code of ethics: Its value, its history. The Online

Journal of Issues in Nursing, 20(2).

Kangasniemi, M., Pakkanen, P., & Korhonen, A. (2015). Professional ethics in nursing: an

integrative review. Journal of advanced nursing, 71(8), 1744-1757.

Lyons, D. (2015). Utilitarianism. Wiley Encyclopedia of Management, 1-4.

Peters, R. S. (2015). Ethics and education (routledge revivals). Routledge.

Rich, K. L. (2016). Introduction to ethics. Nursing ethics: Across the curriculum and into

practice, 3-31.

Yıldız, E. (2019). Ethics in nursing: A systematic review of the framework of evidence

perspective. Nursing ethics, 26(4), 1128-1148.