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

Social justice is acting in accordance with the treatment of patients regardless of their economic status, race, ethnicity, age, citizenship, disability, or sexual orientation (AACN, 2008). We address social justice as a pillar of professionalism. How many times have we seen patients treated differently based upon the aforementioned reasons?   Our students need to understand the importance of not treating people differently based on race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other component of social justice. The patients, inclusive of all patients,  deserve unconditional, unbiased care.   This is a concept that needs to be communicated to our students.   For nurses to be leaders, with regard to embracing social responsibility, the students must acknowledge the role of this pillar, within the profession (Tyer-Viola et al, 2009). How can we, as faculty, support this pillar of professionalism?  How can we demonstrate the need for social justice in how we co...

Morality , as a pillar of professionalism, and as a part of ethics, needs to be reinforced with students.   Ethics goes beyond usual day-to-day moral decision-making. Ethics is so much more than end-of-life controversial issues. Rather, ethics that arise from the daily work of nurses and the use of ethical knowledge in practice is far more important because it fuels a nurse to action — action that may lead to good or bad not only for the patient, but for the profession of nursing as well. Some such ethical decisions may include medication errors, creating a culture of safety that is bully-free for the patient, administering respectful care while maintaining professional boundaries, and protecting patients from potential threats to safety.  Ethical knowledge development addresses who we are as ethical and moral beings, with the ability to believe in what is good and right (Chinn & Kramer, 2008). Social change, as a result of reflection, is the outcome of emancipat...