Legal and ethical conduct

Introduction

Ethics refers to the system of moral principle and rules of conduct recognized in respect to a class of human actions. In nursing, ethical principles tend to direct and guide nursing actions with individuals and aggregate groups (Kamalan, 2012). Ethics places a greater emphasis on observance of the principle of beneficence and autonomic than the principle of justice. The expanded role of the nurse increase the legal accountability of the nurse practitioner certified to function as an independent caregiver (Kamalan, 2012).

Case

When considering the case of Lena, the ethics and moral are usually part of the foundation for nursing. Compassion, advocacy, and caring are some characteristics that each nurse in his or her profession must evoke every day in their clinical practice (Milstead, 2013). Just like in every other profession, nursing should operate too with ethical standards; perform clinical practice within law parameters, and professional guidelines. The medical practitioners and nurses have the responsibility for comprehending the law and regulations involved in the practices. Some legal considerations identify with the State’s Nurse Practice Act, scope and standards of practice and the specialty practice in a standard group among others (Fowler, 2010). Several ethical considerations in the nursing practice exist, and they shape the decision-making the process that nurses follow. A code of ethics in nursing requires that medical practitioners must handle their patients, profession, and for themselves.

In this case, the ethics and law tend to conflict in the situation of Lena’s sister and the HIV positive boyfriend. Lena finds out that her sister’s boyfriend is HIV positive and as a nurse, it is her responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of the patient’s status. According to the law, it is important to maintain confidentiality so as to enhance trust between the nurse and the patient (Milstead, 2013). As a nurse, Lena finds out that her sister’s boyfriend is sick with HIV, and it raises the chances of spreading the disease to her sister. The issue presents a huge dilemma in the case of Lena. Lena is in a situation of whether to follow the law or inform her sister that is ethical because by telling her sister, she will be able to protect her from getting the disease.

In this case, if I were in the shoes of Lena, I would consider leaking the information to my sister. My actions will mean that I breach the confidentiality of the patient, and it would likely result in the loss of my job. However, since she is my sister, I would help her protect herself and provide her with counseling in the way she would respond to the issue. Breaching the patient’s confidentiality is against the nursing practice; however, I will be saving my sister, which is an act that is more ethical (Fowler, 2010). I consider the health and well-being of my sister as being more important than my Job; thus, I am willing to lose my job.

Conclusion

The American Nurses Association has a code of ethics requiring nurses to handle themselves with regards to the nursing practice. However, in this situation, I am willing to bend the law for the sake of my sister. Sometimes, laws and ethics in nursing usually result to ethical dilemmas and choosing ethics and law in nursing can sometimes be very difficult.

Reference

Milstead, A. (2013). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Fowler, M (2010). Guide to the code of ethics for nurses. Nurse books. Org

Kamalan, S (2012) Essentials of community health practice. Jaypee Brothers Publications

Carolyn Morgan is the author of this paper. A senior editor at MeldaResearch.Com in paper college 24/7. If you need a similar paper you can place your order from custom nursing papers.