4: Values, Ethics and Advocacy

Values

Enduring beliefs or attitudes about the worth of an individual, object, idea, or action.

Value systems

Give direction to life and form the basis of behavior.

Beliefs

Interpretations or conclusions that people accept as true, based more on faith than fact.

Attitudes

Mental positions or feelings toward an individual, object, or idea.

Values Transmission

The process of internalizing values.

Personal Values

Internalized values that contribute to a sense of individuality.

Professional Values

Acquired during socialization into nursing from codes of ethics, nursing experiences, teachers, and peers.

Altruism

Concern for the welfare and well-being of others.

Autonomy

Right to self-determination.

Human dignity

Respect for the inherent worth and uniqueness of individuals and populations.

Integrity

Acting in accordance with an appropriate code of ethics and accepted standards of practice.

Social justice

Acting in accordance with fair treatment regardless of economic status, race, ethnicity, age, citizenship, disability, or sexual orientation.

Values Clarification

Process of identifying, examining, and developing individual values.

Ethics

Method of inquiry that helps people understand the morality of human behavior.

Bioethics

Ethics applied to human life or health.

Nursing ethics

Ethical issues that occur in nursing practice.

Morality

Private, personal standards of what is right and wrong in conduct, character, and attitude.

Moral issues

Concerned with important social values and norms.

Laws

Reflect the moral values of a society, but an action can be legal but not moral.

Moral Development

The process of learning to tell the difference between right and wrong.

Consequence-based theories

Judge the morality of an action based on its outcomes.

Utilitarianism

Views a good act as one that brings the most good and the least harm to the greatest number of people.

Principles-based theories

Emphasize individual rights, duties, and obligations.

Relationships-based theories

Emphasize courage, generosity, commitment, and the need to nurture and maintain relationships.

Moral principles

Broad, general, philosophical concepts such as autonomy and justice.

Moral rules

Specific descriptions for actions.

Autonomy

Right to make one's own decisions.

Nonmaleficence

Duty to "do no harm."

Beneficence

Duty to "do good."

Justice

Frequently referred to as fairness.

Fidelity

Being faithful to agreements and promises.

Veracity

Telling the truth.

Accountability

Answerable for one's own choices, decisions, and actions.

Responsibility

The blameworthiness or praiseworthiness one bears for one's conduct or the performance of duties.

Nurses' Obligations in Ethical Decision Making

Maximize client's well-being, balance autonomy with family responsibilities, support family members, carry out policies, protect other clients' well-being, protect own standards of care.

Moral Distress

Occurs when ethically correct action is constrained.

Stem cell research

Foundation for cell-based therapies, using embryonic and adult cells.

Moral Obligation

The duty of a nurse to withhold treatment, such as food and fluids, if it is determined to be more harmful than beneficial.

Allocation of Scarce Health Resources

The distribution of limited healthcare resources, such as organ transplants and specialist services, among patients.

Autonomy

The moral principle that individuals have the right to make their own choices and decisions.

Ethical Dilemma

A situation where there is a conflict between two or more ethical principles or values, leading to a difficult decision.

Advocacy

The act of expressing and defending the rights and interests of another person.

Client's Rights

The entitlements of clients, including the right to make choices, expect respectful relationships, and access healthcare services that meet their needs.

Client Advocate

A person who informs and supports clients in making informed decisions, while respecting their autonomy and rights.

Objectivity

The quality of remaining neutral and unbiased in conveying approval or disapproval of a client's choices.

Assertiveness

The ability to confidently and effectively express one's opinions and advocate for clients' rights.

Conflicts

Situations where there is a disagreement or clash of interests that may require consultation, confrontation, or negotiation.

Political Action

The involvement in activities aimed at influencing public policy and legislation to protect clients' rights.