Ethical issues and new nurses: preventing ethical distress in the work environment.

Abstract

As new nurses move from the familiar educational milieu into a work situation they encounter barriers to caring for patients and their families. The characteristics of the contemporary work environment, paired with the competencies of the new graduates, have the potential to threaten the ability of these nurses to provide safe and effective care for patients thus creating ethical distress. Educational interventions in the work place can effectively provide adequate solutions to these problems. The keystone between the healthcare institution and the development of a competent nurse is an effective mentor. As new nurses graduate from school and enter the health care industry they encounter many barriers that distract them from caring for their patients. With limited experience they are ill equipped to prevent ethical distress when confronted with ethical dilemmas. Educational strategies such as an adequate orientation can help a new graduate cope with the complexities of a health care industry confronted by an increase in acuity of patients, progressively more complex medical interventions, and a shortage of nurses.