Nursing Ethics
Be. Ondrej Kuchař
2ETZE
2021
Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlíně
Fakulta managementu a ekonomiky
Content
Introduction 2
1 Nursing Ethics 3
1.1 Focus of Nursing Ethics and Nurse Position 3
1.2 Tasks and objectives of nursing ethics 3
1.3 Communication and its ethical aspects 4
1.4 Code of Ethics for Health Services 5
1.4.1 Nurse and Nursing Practice 5
1.4.2 Nurse and her profession 5
1.4.3 Nurse and citizen 5
1.4.4 Nurse and her co-workers 6
Conclusion 7
Bibliography 8
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INTRODUCTION
Since 1989, our entire society has undergone a number of changes in private and public
life. The health sector has not been spared extensive changes either. This is closely
related to medical progress, which is moving forward literally by leaps and bounds.
In connection with the transformation of the Czech health care system the emergence
of private health care providers, the view of the patient as such has also changed. It is
no longerjust a medical object, but it is necessary to look at it as a whole, the question
of access to the patient comes to the fore much more. The issue of ethics in healthcare
and adherence to an ethical approach to patients is also coming to the fore.
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1 NURSING ETHICS
As a completely independent field, nursing has its own theoretical and clinical base.
In part of its mission, it is independent of other medical fields. However,
it is an integral part of the health and social care system. The largest professional part
of the nursing field consists of general nurses. Nursing ethics focuses primarily
on the nursing profession, which over many yearsof development has
achievedanindependentposition alongside the medical profession.
1.1 Focus of Nursing Ethics and Nurse Position
Nursing ethics is focused on the nurse's relationship and attitude to the patient.
It manifests itself in all professional performances, both verbally and non-verbally.
It is very closely related to the moral aspects of behavior, important are manifestations
of interpersonal patience, sympathy, empathy, kindness, and other positive emotions.
An equally important part of nursing ethics are collegial relationships. On the one
hand, the behavior of nurses among themselves, but also towards other health
professions, including doctors. It is precisely interpersonal relationships that shape the
working atmosphere and thus increasethe motivation and, above all, theperformance
of healthcare workers. The most important role of a nurse is that of nursing.
To properly educate patients, they must also be able to communicate well.
Communication is an important aspect in the formation of relationships
in the workplace and also towards other health professions. (KUTNOHORSKA, 2007)
1.2 Tasks and objectives of nursing ethics
Nursing ethics has a variety of tasks. The most important ones that nursing ethics
solves:
a) It formulates the responsibilities and duties of a nurse, establishes the moral
forms of the process. One of the objectives is to set legal norms.
b) It explores aspects of the diverse relationships between nurses and patients.
It formulates desirable interpersonal relationships.
c) It analyzes situations complicated from the point of view of ethics, for which
there is no unequivocal solution. He tries to find ways to approach them
and looks for ways out.
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These and other tasks of nursing ethics are very closely related to the goals. The goals
of nursing ethics include:
a) Striving to satisfy needs and thus ensure certain values. Nursing goals can only
be achieved through systematic care. This care is carried out by qualified
workers in the environment of a medical facility.
b) Humanization of interpersonal relationships. In particular, the relationships
between the nurse, the patient and his family. Relationships between nurses
and other health professionals and doctors are also important.
c) Understanding a person, understanding his fears and apprehensions. Directing
actions and behavior in performances. (BUZGOVA, 2008)
1.3 Communication and its ethical aspects
A fundamental and fundamental ethical requirement for nurses and other healthcare
professionals is to maintain respect and respect for the human dignity of the patient.
It is necessary to respect the autonomy of the patient, in the activities that nurse
performs, consider the patient's opinions and interests.
Listening to the patient is an important aspect of the ethical communication
of the healthcare professional with the patient and vice versa. An essential element
in communication with the patient is to have enough time for him. If the nurse does
not have this time to communicate with the patient, the patient will sense a lack
of interest on the part of the staff from the nursing activity. Thus, in nursing activities,
communication has found its place and gained an important position. This is mainly
because communication, by its very nature, is actually a constant exchange
ofinformation. Being able to communicate is a sign of professionalism of the staff,
it greatly facilitates establishing contact with the patient, gaining his trust. When
communicating, it is important to remember that each patient is different, whether
in character, character, behavior and communication are great differences.
It is necessary and for a professional it should not be a problem to be able to tune
in to communication with these patients, not to underestimate or downplay his
difficulties. It is important for a healthcare professional or doctor to be able to prevent
conflicts. If a conflict has already occurred, it is necessary to be able to find a solution
quickly, a consensus. Patients are varied, from non-conflicting to very conflictual.
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An important element in the behavior of a health professional should be impartiality
and the ability to find a fair solution. A healthcare professional should not only be
responsible, able to bear the consequences for their decisions, but also be considerate
of others, be kind or even friendly. (PTÁČEK, 2011)
1.4 Code of Ethics for Health Services
The Code of Ethics for Nurses is a kind of standard for a nurse's dealings with patients,
his family, a certain community or the general public. We consider the need for health
care to be universal. The nurse takes professional responsibility for disease prevention,
health care, improving the health of the sick and relieving pain. Values such as respect
for human rights, preservation of dignity and respect for human life are inextricably
linked to the nursing process.
A nurse does not provide care only to the individual, but often to whole families,
society, and in doing so cooperates with other disciplines.
Healthcare needs to be provided regardless of skin colour, race, nationality, faith, age,
gender, social status, or political attitudes. (BUZGOVA, 2008)
1.4.1 Nurse and Nursing Practice
The nurse assesses not only her qualifications, but also assesses the qualifications
of the persons to whom she assigns tasks. She is responsible for the level of care
provided and for improving her knowledge through lifelong learning. It is its duty
to respect patient safety, human rights, and human dignity.
1.4.2 Nurse and her profession
Only a small example of the duties of a nurse in this area is participation in education,
implementation of professional nursing, development of professional knowledge,
or maintaining working conditions in nursing.
1.4.3 Nurse and citizen
The nurse is primarily responsible for patients who need nursing care. When providing
nursing care, it respects the patient's individuality, faith and personal values. They try
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to create conditions that respect these aspects. She is responsible for the quality of care
provided and its continuous improvement, maintaining expertise. He keeps
the patient's information and information about his personal circumstances very
confidential. (IVANOVA, SPIRUDOVA, KUTNOHORSKA, 2005)
1.4.4 Nurse and her co-workers
The nurse works closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible
nursing care. She is obliged to intervene if the patient's care is compromised by one
of the co-workers or someone else. However, none of the codes of ethics say what
to do if the helper cannotmeeta requirement. When a healthcare professional feels
embarrassed when in contact, for example, with a disfigured patient, or after a series
of negative experiences, he acquires an aversion to a certain ethnic group. The helping
profession should be able to perceive and accept its imperfection and, through selfreflection
and supervision, work to improve the condition. (KOPRIVA, 2006)
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CONCLUSION
Patients come to the medical institution with all sorts of difficulties and health
complications. However, they always expect adequate access and care.
From the position of healthcare professionals, it is problematic that each patient has
different demands. However, this fact needs to be accepted and adapted by the medical
staff. Nowadays, the issues of ethical principles in health care are given
a lot of attention. Health care does not consist only in professional treatment methods.
An important role is also played by the approach of the medical staff, which has a large
share in the overall well-being of the patient. We also know from practice that a patient
in psychological well-being can overcome his health problems more easily
and quickly.
The application of codes of ethics to the Czech healthcare system has significantly
helped to raise the level of care provided to patients. This has created a kind of
standards that can serve as one of the criteria for assessing the level of care provided.
And that's another way to improve health care.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. IVANOVA, K., I. ŠPIRUDOVÁ a J. KUTNOHORSKÁ. Multikulturní
ošetřovatelství I. Praha: Grada Publishing, 2005. ISBN 80-247-1212-1.
2. KOPŘIVA, Karel. Lidský vztah jako součást zdravotnické profese. Praha:
Portál, 2006. ISBN 80-7367-181-6.
3. PTÁČEK, Radek. Etika a komunikace v medicíně. Praha: Grada Publishing,
2011. ISBN 978-80-247-397-2.
4. BUZGOVÁ, Radka. Etika ve zdravotnictví. Ostrava: Ostravská univerzita,
2008. ISBN 978-80-7368-501-0.
5. KUTNOHORSKÁ, Jana. Etika v ošetřovatelství. Praha: Grada Publishing,
2007. ISBN 978-80-247-2069-2.