Main Ethical Issues in Nursing and Healthcare

According to Banks (2012, p. 8), ethics refers to the rules that regulate a person's behavior, particularly that of a member of a profession. According to Cherry and Jacob (2016, p. 2), a good code of behavior in every society improves sustainability. Ethical issues, on the other hand, refer to a set of standards of proper behavior. According to Banks, ethical dilemmas in nursing and health care refer to challenges or situations faced in the field of health that force such organizations to select between choices that must be regarded as correct (9). These concerns must be thoroughly examined because almost every decision has ethical ramifications for clients, providers, and administrators. Principles of Ethical Issues.

Ethics vary from one community to the other with situations and culture, (Banks, 2012, p. 17). For them to be meaningful and accepted by service providers and community activist, they are guided by principles. Banks (2012, p. 16) points out that many professional organizations provide ethical guidelines, for instance, American Physiological Association, the National Association of Social Workers and the American Cancelling Association. While their details vary, most guidelines address over-arching issues.

Beneficence is one of the major ethical principles. Ethics should be of help and beneficial to others. It connotes acts of compassion, kindness and benevolence (Holloway & Galvin, 2016, p. 3). ‘Non-maleficence’ means health practitioners should do no harm such as physical injury and psychological harm. Moreover, justice as a principle holds that one should act fairly without regard to characteristics such as gender and race. It also entails attributes such as equity, consistency, equality, trust and neutrality. Autonomy is yet another principle which recommends that health practitioners show respect to clients as well as their rights.

Main Ethical Issues in Nursing and Healthcare.

Holloway & Galvin (2016, p. 6) observe that health care is a human right. It should therefore be addressed as depicted by standard principles on health care. Balancing quality and efficiency is vital in health care systems in that practitioners should be free from bugs and flows to ensure quality service. For efficiency, resources such as electricity and time should be used for the intended purpose.

Improving access to health care implies that both transport and communication networks should be developed to assist people get medical or health services more efficiently (Holloway & Galvin, 2016, p. 11). This enables citizens to access health facilities as well as relevant information concerning good health.

Building and sustaining healthcare work force of the feature is also an aspect of concern in nursing ethics. Shortage of health practitioners is a global challenge (Holloway & Galvin, 2016, p. 13). Developed countries have to entice personnel from Caribbean nations to fill their vacancies. In order to build and sustain health care work force, many initiatives are already up. Groups and legal entities such as World Health Organization have developed global standards to raise the quality of nursing education and create paths for professional advancements. International Nursing Education Network established by International Council of Nurses also addresses the shortage of nurses.

According to Bank (2012, p. 20), gender parity is one of the most prominent issues in certain countries. The number of male nurses is steadily increasing in various states. There is preference for male nurses, particularly in rural areas with difficult access. This should be controlled to ensure equality (Cherry & Jacob, 2016, p. 36).

Holloway & Galvin (2016, p. 110) point out that end of life issues grow in importance as population increases. The entire decision-making as well as the financing that pays for end of life care will be up for discussion as the issues of aging affect more people (Cherry & Jacob, 2016, p. 38). End-of-life issues therefore need to be addressed with much precaution to ensure peace prevails and at the same time health of the society is well managed.

In allocating limited medication and donor organs, Holloway & Galvin (2016, p. 11) illustrate that medication and organs for transplant are in short supply and the matter has raised concern. It would be ethical to utilize available resources sparingly. Cherry & Jacob (2016, p. 35) state that more research should be done as well as providing enough incentives for manufacturers. Transplant candidates should be provided with necessary medications, such as immune suppressants.

With regards to marketing practices, fair completion should be employed in healthcare just like in any other business. Moreover, medical advertisement should be precise during marketing to avoid drug misuse (Banks, 2012, p. 16). Besides, Holloway & Galvin (2016, p. 22) illustrate that some physicians or nurses make health an enterprise to generate income rather than serving humanity and ensuring their safety.

Cherry & Jacob (2016, p. 35) assert that Protecting patients’ privacy and confidentiality is very integral in health care. In addition, Holloway & Galvin (2016, p. 15) emphasize that patients should have privacy to avoid emotional disturbance. Disclosing their private information may cause stress and trauma. Moreover, letting out someone’s confidential information makes them feel unsafe and betrayed. Making the Releasing a client’s confidential health status to the public makes them loose trust in the nursing industry and health sector at large.

Conclusion

In summary, it is important to educate the public and the society at large on ethical issues because they determine how people relate with each other within the community. All sectors and industries in every society require work ethics. However, health being a personal right makes the nursing industry to be predisposed to ethical issues that require wisdom and sobriety when handling. Every decision made should never compromise the safety and happiness of others. It is also necessary to note that as much as ethics vary from one society to another, there are certain standards that are generally acceptable or unacceptable to the majority and should always be seriously taken into consideration.

Works Cited

Banks, Sarah. Ethical issues in youth work. Routledge, 2012: 8-32

Cherry, Barbara, and Susan R. Jacob. Contemporary nursing: Issues, trends, & management. Elsevier Health Sciences, 2016: 2-47.

Holloway, Immy, and Kathleen Galvin. Qualitative research in nursing and healthcare. John Wiley & Sons, 2016: 3-49.