The Ethical Nurse by Mary Ann Siciliano McLaughlin Ed.D., RN

In September, I had the privilege of presenting on my ethics model, The Siciliano-McLaughlin Model of Ethics, at the Sigma Theta Tau Leadership Connection.

Integrity is acting in accordance with the appropriate code of ethics and accepted standards of practice (AACN, 2008).   In nursing, integrity is evident through the code of ethics, as well as, acceptable standards of practice as set forth by professional nursing organizations.   The students, faculty, staff and administration need to execute integrity as a pillar of professionalism at all times. Anytime there is a breach in integrity there is the potential for future negative fallout from the experience. Students need to recognize that integrity, as a pillar of professionalism, is paramount to the profession of nursing. Do you agree as nursing educators?  What is your view on maintaining integrity in our students and teaching them by example?  As always, I would love to hear feedback from other nursing faculty or nursing administrators.   

Knowledge is defined as a specialized body of knowledge research and utilization of evidence-based practice. A profession is learned through education (Joel, 2002).   Knowledge, as a pillar, is important because it denotes not just the knowledge related to patient care but also being able to use that specialized knowledge or evidence-based practice in clinical care. The students need to understand that the profession of nursing has been learned through the educational process (Joel, 2002).    Without knowledge, the students will be powerless in providing patient centered care for their patients. As Claire Fagin said (9/16/2013), ‘I see nursing as the application of science in an artistic way.’ I want my students to have that solid knowledge base in which to apply nursing artistically to their patient cares.”