NUR 512 Module 5 Discussion Ethical Dilemma
Sample Answer for NUR 512 Module 5 Discussion Ethical Dilemma
In general, ethical dilemmas urge one to make decisions that may not be one they want to make. With that, responses may need to be explained, and the options of explanation may not be optimal. Sometimes the results may end in a reduction of the standard of care provided to patients especially when transparency is the policy of the organization. The dilemmas could also lead to moral and ethical anguish for the person within the situation. An ethical dilemma in nursing is when a nurse is faced with having to decide between conflicting moral principles (Haahr et al., 2020). As the most trusted profession in the country, nurses are expected to uphold a set of standards and values that promise to safeguard and advance the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities (Koriala et al., 2022). I personally have not been in a position of an ethical dilemma yet in my practice as a nurse. I am a junkie of law and crime, and I was enthralled in the civil case, Kowalski v. John Hopkins Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida.
A patient’s life was in jeopardy and not at the hands of the parent but at the hands of the medical staff within the hospital. Unfortunately, the harm it caused to the parent was so hard to bear that she committed suicide to bring her child back to the family. Not only was the patient harmed by the decision her mother made to save her from continued custody of the state, but it harmed the dynamics of her family overall when she was released back to the custody of her family. In the end, the court and jury ruled in favor of the family due to the evidence found from the Joint Commission’s review indicating that the safety of patients’ lives was in ‘immediate jeopardy’ and John Hopkins did not choose to right the situation promptly. Therefore, Johns Hopkins was found to be guilty of causing the wrongful death of the mother of Patient Kowalski including insurance fraud, and the other parties within the immediate family members and estate.
It was not so much that the nurses were doing the wrong thing while in practice as they only have a scope of limited practice and ultimately it was the medical board’s decision overriding what the nurses could not do. However, as a nurse, it must have been a difficult scenario to have to take care of a patient who was not being heard, and being told that her pain and anguish was all in her head. The dilemma is to believe the patient’s subjective pain is what it is. We as nurses do not judge and though we can see when a patient may be drug seeking, it is difficult to see that in a child, and most of the time, children are not as manipulating as adults can be. We as nurses will face dilemmas all the time, even in life, but mostly having to ensure we protect our license as we learn and grow in our practice is always difficult yet rewarding to do what we do.
References
Haahr, A., Norlyk, A., Martinsen, B., & Dreyer, P. (2020). Nurses experiences of ethical dilemmas: A review. Nursing ethics, 27(1), 258-272.
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Koirala, B., Davidson, P.M., & Rushton, C. H. (2022). Ethics in nursing: Progress on national nursing ethics summit. Nursing Outlook, 70(1),154-165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2021.08.01
Sample Answer 2 for NUR 512 Module 5 Discussion Ethical Dilemma
Hello Sandra. Nurses encounter ethical dilemmas when handling patients, and frequently contradicting circumstances compel healthcare providers to ignore their tastes and preferences when deciding. As a result, nurses can compromise to attain ethical decisions. Ethical nursing principles guide healthcare professionals in dilemmas (Sperling, 2021). Poor handling of ethical dilemmas shows nursing incompetence that can escalate to cause strained relationships with patients. Poor nurse-patient rapport sabotages efficient care delivery. Therefore, healthcare workers comply with ethical principles in managing ethical dilemmas. Patient autonomy influences how nurses handle ethical dilemmas since nurses make critical decisions during treatment (Salehi et al., 2020). Sometimes, nurses differ with the patients or their loved ones during treatment. Ethical requirements insist that healthcare workers should respect patient autonomy regardless of their experts’ opinions. A lack of reliable knowledge exposes patients to errors that complicate treatment procedures. But still, nurses are bound to adhere to ethics.
References
Salehi, Z., Najafi Ghezeljeh, T., Hajibabaee, F., & Joolaee, S. (2020). Factors behind ethical dilemmas regarding physical restraint for critical care nurses. Nursing ethics, 27(2), 598-608. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733019858711
Sperling, D. (2021). Ethical dilemmas, perceived risk, and motivation among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing ethics, 28(1), 9-22. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733020956376
Sample Answer 3 for NUR 512 Module 5 Discussion Ethical Dilemma
Discussion Five: Describe a situation of ethical dilemma you have experienced in practice and how it was resolved.
I have faced many moral problems in my work but have found ways to solve them. In healthcare work, an ethical problem is when two or more choices are against each other. Each choice has a good reason, but picking one can hurt the values of another morality idea (Varkey, 2020). These problems usually come from disagreements between being kind, not harming others and letting people make their own choices. They also involve fairness and ensuring that everyone involved knows the facts before they agree to something. Doctors can make people anxious and unsure when patient health, rights, and access to care are at risk with no clear right answer. For patients and families, the outcomes of such dilemmas can negatively impact their physical or mental well-being, trust in the healthcare system, and satisfaction with received care. At their worst, unresolved ethical dilemmas may result in litigation or complaints that damage professional reputations and provider-patient relationships. Therefore, such situations must be recognized early and managed through open communication and multidisciplinary collaboration to find acceptable solutions.
I found out that a patient in their 60s had high blood pressure and cholesterol. After discussing treatment, the patient said they could not pay for their medicine. This caused a moral problem between my job to help patients’ sicknesses and their small money power. If not treated, their blood pressure and cholesterol can cause more serious health problems such as heart attack or stroke. But giving them medicines that they could not afford was just as wrong. After thinking about choices like normal drugs or help with paying for medicine, no quick fixes were found to make treatment cheap. I consulted with my collaborating physician and a hospital social worker to explore additional resources such as free clinics, prescription drug discount cards, or a long-term payment plan. Through multiple discussions, we developed a solution where the hospital agreed to cover half the medication costs for six months, allowing time to apply for programs to obtain sustainable treatment that addressed the patient’s health and my ethical duty of care.
I used several ways to resolve the ethical dilemma. One way was to sign the patient up for medical help from drug companies. Many programs give medicine at low cost or even for free to people with little money, no insurance, or insufficient insurance. They must meet certain rules first (NC Department of Health and Human Services, 2023). By filling out the forms with the patient, I might have helped them get help to pay for all of their medical treatment costs. A second option was to work with the hospital’s financial aid department to see if the patient qualifies for charity care coverage. Many hospitals offer financial assistance policies to lower healthcare costs for those unable to pay. An application for charity care may entirely or partially cover office visits, lab work, medications, and other services for a set period. This could address immediate treatment needs and provide time to explore additional long-term solutions. As a third resolution, I could refer the patient to a free or low-cost community health clinic for ongoing primary care management and prescription filling. Some clinics partner with social services to help uninsured patients get medications at no or minimal charge. While this may not be as convenient as one-stop care, it could effectively treat the patient’s conditions in the short term through a multi-pronged approach until more permanent insurance or financial assistance is obtained.
NC Department of Health and Human Services (2023). Medication Assistance Program | NCDHHS. Ncdhhs.gov. https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/office-rural-health/office-rural-health-programs/medication-assistance-program
Links to an external site. Varkey, B. (2020). Principles of Clinical Ethics and Their Application to Practice. Medical Principles and Practice, 30(1), 17–28. https://doi.org/10.1159/000509119
NUR 512 Module 6 Discussion APN Business Planning STU
Strategic Planning for Advanced Practice Nurses with a Systems Thinking Perspective
With the progression of psychiatric nursing, the significance of the role of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) in mental health care has become progressively important. The APN’s practices must stay viable and successful by engaging in strategic business planning. This case study will illustrate the process of APN business planning from a systems thinking perspective, pointing out the continuum that affects their practices. It will explain how successful business planning is approached holistically concerning the healthcare system.
Understanding Systems Thinking
Systems thinking involves seeing a situation or problem as part of a larger, more interrelated system (Li et al., 2021). In the context of APN business planning, this means recognizing the dynamic relationships and interdependencies among various components, such as organizational structures, regulatory frameworks, financial realities, and professional collaborations. By applying systems thinking, APNs can create business plans that recognize the complexity and interconnectedness of these factors.
Analyzing Organizational Structures
APNs can build successful business plans by understanding the organizational structure they practice. An understanding of administrative hierarchies, decision-making processes, and communication channels within a healthcare organization is necessary to successfully develop business plans (Joseph & Gaba, 2020). Aligning business plans with an organizational structure makes for efficient integration, effective collaboration with other healthcare professionals, and the delivery of mental healthcare services at an optimal level.
Considering Regulatory Frameworks
APN business planning requires understanding regulatory frameworks that can vary depending on the practice environment. State and federal regulations shape the scope of practice, reimbursement policies, and licensure requirements for APNs. Analyzing these regulations is necessary to ensure compliance and identify opportunities for advocacy from a systems-thinking perspective (Li et al., 2021). APNs promote legal and ethical practice in an increasingly complex healthcare environment by aligning business plans with regulatory requirements.
Financial Considerations in Business Planning
When creating an APN practice that will last, the first step lies in a firm foundation of financials. Through the lens of a systems thinker, a detailed analysis of budgeting, reimbursement models, and resource allocation is necessary (Li et al., 2021). APNs must balance delivering high-quality mental health care while staying financially viable. Partnering with someone knowledgeable in financial planning or an administrator is crucial in this phase to develop a realistic and sustainable financial model for the practice.
Professional Collaboration and Networking
The interconnectedness of healthcare systems emphasizes the significance of professional collaboration for APNs. Developing associations with healthcare professionals nurtures interdisciplinary relationships and increases the spectrum of mental healthcare services. Partnering with physicians, psychologists, social workers, and others improves referral networks and adds to enhanced client mental health outcomes. Systems thinking supports this collaboration as part of shaping a business plan that is comprehensive and effective (Ahlström et al., 2020).
Conclusion
In summary, APNS needs to approach strategic business planning from a systems thinking perspective and be aware of the complexity of the healthcare landscape. Understanding organizational structure, policies and regulations, financial accountability, and collaborations will allow APNs to develop responsive business plans. As behavioral healthcare redesign evolves, APNS must be flexible enough to adapt their strategies to align with the people served and enrich the outcomes impacting mental health.
References
Ahlström, H., Williams, A., & Vildåsen, S. S. (2020). Enhancing systems thinking in corporate sustainability through a transdisciplinary research process. Journal of Cleaner Production, 256, 120691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120691
Joseph, J., & Gaba, V. (2020). Organizational structure, information processing, and decision-making: A retrospective and road map for research. Academy of Management Annals, 14(1), 267-302. https://doi.org/10.5465/annals.2017.0103
Li, Q., Zhang, L., Zhang, L., & Jha, S. (2021). Exploring multi-level motivations towards green design practices: A system dynamics approach. Sustainable Cities and Society, 64, 102490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2020.102490