Ethical Principles in Nursing

 

ethical principles that must be possessed by a nurse include:

a. Autonomy (Autonomy)
The principle of autonomy is based on the belief that individuals are able to think logically and are able to make their own decisions. Adults are considered competent and have the power to make their own, choose and have various decisions or choices that must be respected by others. The principle of autonomy is a form of respect for someone, or seen as a non-coercive agreement and act rationally. Autonomy is the right of individual independence and freedom that demands self-discrimination. Professional practice reflects autonomy when the nurse respects the client's rights to make decisions about his or her care.

b. Doing good (Beneficience)
Beneficience means, just doing something good. Goodness requires the prevention of wrong or evil, the elimination of wrong or evil and the promotion of goodness by self and others. Sometimes, in health care situations, there is a conflict between this principle and autonomy.

c. Justice
The principle of justice is needed for equal and fair treatment of others who uphold moral, legal and humanitarian principles. This value is reflected in professional practice when nurses work for the right therapy according to law, practice standards and the right beliefs to obtain quality health care.

d. No harm (Nonmaleficience)
This principle means that it does not cause harm/physical and psychological harm to the client.

e. Honesty (Veracity)
The principle of veracity means full of truth. This value is needed by health care providers to convey the truth to each client and to ensure that the client understands. The principle of veracity relates to one's ability to tell the truth. Information must be available to be accurate, comprehensive, and objective to facilitate understanding and acceptance of existing materials, and to tell the client the truth about everything related to his condition during treatment. However, there are some arguments that there are limits to honesty such as if the truth of the client's prognosis is wrong for recovery or there is a paternalistic relationship that "doctors know best" because individuals have autonomy, they have the right to get full information about his condition. Truth is the basis for building trusting relationships.

f. Keeping promises (Fidelity)
The principle of fidelity requires individuals to respect their promises and commitments to others. The nurse is true to her commitments and keeps her promises and keeps client secrets. Obedience, loyalty, is a person's obligation to maintain the commitments made. Loyalty, describes the nurse's adherence to a code of ethics which states that the basic responsibility of nurses is to improve health, prevent disease, restore health and minimize suffering.

g. Confidentiality
The rule in the principle of confidentiality is that information about clients must be kept private. Everything contained in the client's health record document should only be read in the context of the client's treatment. No one can obtain such information unless permitted by the client with proof of consent. Discussion of the client outside the service area, telling friends or family about the client with other health professionals should be avoided.

h. Accountability
Accountability is a definite standard that the actions of a professional can be judged in situations that are unclear or without exception.

Those are 8 principles of nursing ethics that must be owned by a nurse.