Ethics in community nursing

Abstract

The purpose of this theoretical paper is to explore the ethics in community nursing. Nursing, a practice discipline recognizes caring, morals, and values as integral to the practice of all nurses. The ethical principles of beneficence, autonomy, advocacy, and social justice will be discussed from the lens of caring. Caring nursing theorists, such as Jean Watson, Ann Boykin, and Savina Schoenhofer, articulate the importance of understanding communities and individuals as whole and autonomous. These theorists and others challenge nursing to engage in a responsive, ethical and philosophical discourse when the community is viewed as autonomous. Ethics in Community Nursing Bonnie PopeUniversity of North Florida; M.C. Hough – University of North Florida; & Susan Chase – University of Central Florida The nursing profession encompasses a philosophical foundation of caring, ethics, morals, and values (Gadow, 2004). Theorists have examined the principles of nursing, caring, and ethics to a philosophical foundation that recognizes individuals as whole and autonomous (Boykin & Schoenhofer, 2001; Newman, Smith, Pharris & Jones, 2008; Watson, 1990). The challenge to nursing is to engage in a responsive, ethical and philosophical discourse when the community is also understood to be whole and autonomous. The purpose of this theoretical paper is to explore ethics in community practice with the principles of caring, beneficence, autonomy, advocacy, and social justice. The Tradition of Nursing Ethics The ability of our health system to deliver consistent quality health care continues to be debated on a national level, and nursing’s moral obligation is not only to be a part of the debate (Watson, 1990) but also to advocate for communities, not as statistical populations, but as individuals deserving quality health care. It is imperative for the profession to clearly articulate an ethical perspective grounded in responsive relationships with individuals and communities. These relationships require a respect for diversity and the right of self-determination (Austin, 2007; Bouchet, 2007; Chase, 2004; Glaser, Soskin & Smith, 1996; Tarlier, 2004). Current existentialist ethics value the inherent uniqueness of individuals and groups that require nurses to practice beyond a disconnected view of individual autonomy (Gadow, 2004). In order to achieve this level of practice, nursing must expand the scope of current ethical principles, beneficence, autonomy, and advocacy (Benner, Tanner, & Chesla, 1996; Chase, 2004; Cody, 2003; Gadow, 1990, 1990; Shirley, 2007; Tarlier, 2004). Nursing’s engagement in early bioethical debates incorporated discussions on patient autonomy in health care decision-making (Shirley, 2007). Paternalistic practices that limit an individual’s right of self-determination have been and still are being challenged by nursing. Gadow’s concept of existential advocacy clarifies the role of nursing in circumstances that defends a patient’s authentic free will to self-determination. According to Gadow (1990), only the patient can determine the truth in any situation. As patients and nursing professionals emphasize the significance of patient autonomy, paternalistic health care practices require an informed examination of the ethical concepts beneficence and autonomy (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). The principle of beneficence requires one to “do good” and refrain from harmful acts, “do no harm” or nonmaleficence. Nursing recognizes autonomy and selfdetermination as corner stones in nurse – patient relationships (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013; King, 1999). A nursing practice grounded in ethics and caring can transform health care practices (Newman, 2008). Nurses’ Commitment to Care: The Individual, Family, and Community Nursing and general nursing theories are primarily focused on the nurse -patient relationship in an acute care or ambulatory care setting. However, health care policy, which directly and indirectly impacts the nurse patient relationship, is crafted in the public arena. It is in the realm of the public arena and community settings that nurses recognize the potential to influence acute care or ambulatory settings. To shift between an individual patient focus and a comprehensive community focus challenges traditional ethical and moral concepts of beneficence, autonomy, advocacy, and social justice. Beneficence A fundamental principle of beneficence in traditional health care settings is to “maximize benefit and minimize harm to patients” (Gadow, 1990, pg. 52). This implies that it is the health care professional who is best able to identify potential harm and benefit. However, from a caring and ethical point of view, nurses understand the difference between acts of paternalistic beneficence and the essential knowledge that patients are part of any decision. In nursing ethics beneficence is a moral obligation seen as worthy and noble. And, nurses need to go further and understand that acts of beneficence may not always be in the patient’s best interest (Tarlier, 2004). Throughout clinical decision-making situations, novice and expert nurses have an obligation to remain mindful of the patient’s right to autonomy, even if the nurse considers their nursing care as beneficial to patient outcomes (Benner, et al., 1996; Chase, 2004). However, when nurses are required to make decisions that by necessity negate patient choices, these decisions should be considered as beneficence (Chase, 2004). Nurses must not only treat persons autonomously and refrain from causing harm, but they should also be aware of the overall welfare of individuals and communities. Public health programs related to childhood immunizations and vaccinations demonstrate beneficence on a community level. These programs weigh the harm and benefit of immunizations and vaccinations and recognize that harm may be done to few but the majority of the people will benefit (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). With an individual and community framework, the obligation of nursing grounded in ethics and caring realizes the effect of current situations to guide inform future acts of beneficence.