PROMPT1 Describe a clinical situation in which a registered nurse may encounter moral distress. Answer the AACN’s found on page 84 in your Butts and Rich text to further explain the situation, and the possible mitigation strategies. PROMPT2 Describe different ways that social media use can violate ethical nursing practices. How can ethical social media use be beneficial to health care professionals and their patients?
PROMPT 1:
Moral distress is a concept frequently encountered in healthcare settings, including those where registered nurses practice. It arises when nurses are aware of the ethically appropriate course of action but face constraints that prevent them from acting accordingly. One clinical situation where nurses may experience moral distress is when they are providing end-of-life care to terminally ill patients.
When it comes to end-of-life care, nurses often find themselves caught in the dilemma between alleviating patients’ suffering and respecting their autonomy. A registered nurse may encounter moral distress when a terminally ill patient expresses a wish to hasten their death through assisted suicide or euthanasia, and the nurse faces legal and ethical prohibitions against such actions. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) offers a framework to further explain this situation.
In this scenario, the first aspect of the AACN’s framework that becomes relevant is moral sensitivity. The nurse recognizes that the patient is suffering and desires to exercise control over their own life and death, which aligns with the principle of autonomy. However, the nurse is also aware of legal and ethical constraints that prohibit them from actively assisting in the patient’s death.
The second dimension of the AACN’s framework is moral judgment. The nurse must weigh the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice against each other to determine the morally right course of action. In this case, the nurse may believe that honoring the patient’s autonomy and desire to end their suffering is the compassionate and morally justified choice. However, the nurse is also aware of the legal and ethical obligations to preserve life and not actively participate in euthanasia or assisted suicide.
Next, moral motivation becomes evident. The nurse may experience internal conflict and emotional distress due to the tension between the desire to act in the patient’s best interest and the fear of legal and professional repercussions. This internal struggle can lead to moral distress as the nurse feels powerless to address the patient’s suffering adequately.
Finally, moral courage is tested. The nurse must make difficult decisions and take appropriate actions despite the moral distress experienced. In this case, the nurse may seek strategies to mitigate moral distress to support the patient while upholding professional and legal obligations.
Mitigation strategies to address moral distress in this clinical situation can involve promoting ethically supportive practices. One approach is interprofessional collaboration, where nurses can engage in open discussions with colleagues from various disciplines, including physicians, social workers, and ethicists. Through these discussions, the nurse can gain different perspectives and seek support in finding creative solutions that honor the patient’s autonomy while complying with legal and ethical standards.
Another strategy is proactive communication with patients and their families. Nurses can facilitate conversations about end-of-life wishes and the available options within the legal and ethical boundaries. By fostering an atmosphere of open dialogue and compassion, nurses can ensure that patients’ values, beliefs, and preferences are respected to the fullest extent possible.
Additionally, nurses can engage in ongoing education regarding ethical decision-making in end-of-life care. This can involve attending workshops, reading professional literature, and participating in case-based discussions that explore the intricacies of moral dilemmas. By continually updating their knowledge and skills, nurses can enhance their capacity to navigate complex ethical situations encountered in their practice.
PROMPT 2:
The ubiquitous presence of social media platforms has transformed the way individuals communicate, including health care professionals. While social media can be a valuable tool, it also brings potential risks that can violate ethical nursing practices. Understanding the ways in which social media use can compromise ethical standards is essential for nurses to maintain professionalism and protect patient privacy and confidentiality.
One way social media use can violate ethical nursing practices is through breaches of patient confidentiality. Sharing patient information, even inadvertently, through posts, comments, or photos can lead to unauthorized disclosure of private health information. This violation not only infringes on patients’ rights to privacy but also risks damaging the therapeutic relationship between nurses and patients, eroding trust, and compromising patient care.
Another ethical concern associated with social media use is that it can blur professional boundaries between nurses and patients. Engaging in personal relationships or discussions on social media platforms with current or former patients can create a dual relationship that undermines objectivity and impartiality in providing care. Such interactions may lead to favoritism or compromise the nurse’s duty to treat all patients equally.
Social media can also be a platform for unprofessional behavior by nurses. Inappropriate posts, comments, or sharing of sensitive or offensive content can damage the public trust in the nursing profession. Such conduct undermines the reputation of nurses, erodes professional credibility, and can have serious consequences for both individual nurses and the broader profession.
However, social media also offers opportunities for ethical and beneficial use in healthcare settings. Ethical social media use can be a powerful tool for health care professionals to share evidence-based information, promote health education, and engage in professional networking. By using social media platforms responsibly, nurses can educate patients and the public, disseminate accurate health information, and contribute to the advancement of nursing practice.
Moreover, social media can facilitate peer support and mentorship among nurses. Online communities and forums provide spaces for nurses to connect, share experiences, and seek advice from colleagues across different healthcare settings. These interactions promote professional growth, assist in problem-solving, and foster a sense of camaraderie among nurses.
In conclusion, social media use in nursing practice can both violate and uphold ethical standards. Nurses must be aware of the potential risks and adhere to professional guidelines to protect patient privacy, maintain professional boundaries, and engage in ethical conduct. By leveraging social media responsibly, nurses can harness its benefits to enhance patient care, collaborate with peers, and contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession.