One year ago an unethical incident happened at the facility I was employed at. As a Certified Nursing Assistant we were permitted to distribute medications to patients/residents under the supervision of an RN and with the required training. The unethical decision was made by my coworker, who made the choice to steal an extensive amount of Vicodin and other painkillers from a residents supply. My coworker’s decision to steal a patient’s medication is unethical on various levels. The ethical issues that were in question was her choice to steal a medication, taking advantage of a geriatric patient, breaking the law, and putting other employee’s careers at risk. My impressions of this event was to always be aware of what is right and know when something is wrong. The main ethical issues in question was her act of her stealing and her dishonesty towards others. I am under the impression that stealing is wrong; I grew up knowing that it was the wrong thing to do. To me, it is an inappropriate act that is not only against the law, but it hurts those who you steal from. Stealing is unethical in many religions and it promotes evil acts. My impression of her stealing is that it is wrong since taking something from someone else is that it is selfish and is devastating others around you. My coworker stealing a patient’s medication was wrong since she was taking advantage of a feeble elder lady and taking property that was not her own. It had a negative effect, not …show more content…
Her judgement to steal a medication was not ethical since she took advantage of a geriatric patient, broke the law, and put other employee’s careers at risk. Her choice to steal medication was erroneous since others were so negatively affected by it. Finally, the lesson I learned from this experience is to always be aware of what is right and wrong so you do not negatively impact others’ lives as my ex-coworker
The first case of choice involved a nurse (M.M.) who was originally notified by the Missouri state board of nursing for not paying her dues and letting her license expire on a disciplinary act. Also, she was practicing out of the state that she is licensed in. She has a Missouri license and she was practicing nursing in Arkansas. Upon investigating it became apparent that M.M. did not pass her urine sample and was tested positive for morphine. M.M. was in a car accident and now, due to the car accident has back pain along with a prescription of hydrocodone. Her body built up an immunity to the hydrocodone and she felt it was no longer helping her so she began taking morphine. The morphine that she was taking was not
In addition to her unprincipled behavior she depicts by her dishonesty and over charges clients on work she doesn’t do racking their bills over $1000. She gives all the work to a legal assistant to do and she gets credit for it.
Ethically, this is wrong on some many levels. He was dishonest, he stole from the
Thao violated the standard practice and principle of her profession. According to the ANA code of ethics Ms. Thao violated provision 2, 3, and 4. As a nurse Ms. Thao’s primary commitment was Ms. Gant, which she failed to fulfill. Ms. Thao volunteered to work extra eight-hour shift after working sixteen hours (Mason, 2007). She was knowingly taking the risk about of her duty and safety of the patient. Ms. Thao failed to finish the delegation that was given to her due to overwork by which she dishonored provision 4. She violated provision 3 by not reading the warning label on the drug bag and opening the locked cabinet with out the permission of a
Ethics, or also referred to as moral philosophy, helps determine when things are right and when things are wrong. To kill or not to kill? To abuse or not to abuse? To hurt or not to hurt? In the nursing profession, as in all major health professional fields, nurses are bound to a certain Nurse’s Code of Ethics (Kelly, 2010). Obey the code, and a registered nurse can potentially live a long healthy career in the nursing field. Violate the nurse’s code of ethics, and one can seek penalties including but not limited to fines, fees, revocation, license suspension, probation, and even imprisonment. So what exactly happens to a Nurse who disobeys the code of ethics? The case between the State of Florida vs Mr. D.R.O. helps in getting a better understanding of what happens when a registered healthcare professional, in this case a Nurse, challenges the nursing code of ethics. Is the verdict appropriate in the defendant’s case? Were the consequences adequately applicable to the damages the defendant imposed? How can future and active registered nurses avoid situations like this in their career? Although the concept of ethics and the answers to some of these questions can seem common sense to most of us, in some cases, our minds can be clouded or disturbed
After reading Nickel and Dimed and reviewing the NASW Code of Ethics I found a few parts of the code of ethics Ehrenreich did not follow. I believe she was in breach of privacy and confidentiality, dishonesty, fraud, and deception, and integrity.
In the Code of Ethics for Nurses provision 4 states “The nurse has authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice; makes decisions; and takes action consistent with the obligation to promote health and to provide optimal care.” This was not done, there was no regard for human life. The patients in the hospital were treated as a burden. A meeting was held where the doctors agreed that
The charge nurse met the writer in her room and stated, "I am so glad to see you but, you have a "fresh heart" tonight. The assignment was clearly outlined during bedside report. But this writer quickly pointed out that she had not been heart trained and could not accept the "fresh heart". The charge nurse validated the assignment by informing this writer that staffing was really short and she felt this writer was the most qualified nurse for the job. The charge nurse also added, she would be available for any issues, should they arise. Logically, as the charge nurse had explained the scenario, the assignment was delegated correctly according to the available staff. But for this writer, it was morally wrong for her to accept the "fresh heart" knowing she was not following the outlined protocol. Also, by caring for the "fresh heart" a question was raised if it was the safest thing for this writer to accept. The ANA Code of Ethics Provision 4.3 states nurses are responsible for assessing their own competency within practice (P475 ethics). Since this writer had previously validated her competency and training with the devices and medication being utilized in caring for the "fresh heart", she did not violate The Code of Ethics. Additionally, Provision 4.3 states nurses are to accept or reject assignments based on the nurses knowledge and competence, as well as their assessment of the level of risk for patient safety (Para 1 p475). The ethical principal of nonmaleficence could have been an issue had there had been any harm committed to the patient by this writer. This writer knew she could have rightfully rejected the assignment due to safety concerns, but did not. Legally, this writer did nothing wrong in caring and monitoring for the "fresh heart"
Nurses are faced with ethical issues and dilemmas on a regular basis. Nurses must understand his or her values and morals to be able to deal adequately with the ethical issues he or she is faced with. Some ethical issues nurses are exposed to may be more difficult than others and the ethical decision making process is learned over time.
This case begins with the nurse manager of a 25 bed medical unit, 24 hour responsibility with a staff level of 26. The nurse has become aware a well-liked and helpful senior staff member has been stealing cash and other items from staff and patients. The senior nurse is supportive of the nurse manager, she has the best clinical expertise and judgement in the team. Morally, the head nurse is stressed. She feels guilty and upset, however she also believes no one will believe her.
Everyday individuals are faced with issues associated with ethical dilemmas. Ethical dilemmas involve an individual’s behavior toward a moral standard, which may have been established from previous generations and passed along. In upholding the standards taught individual may be forced to take a particular action involving a decision when a behavior is considered non-ethical is when an ethical dilemma occurs. It can become difficult at times in making the correct decisions or solutions to the situation, which is why a code of ethics is established in the workplace. The code of ethics in the
Whilst on duty on a general ward I was asked by my senior nurse, if I could go down to the pharmacy to pick up some new medication for a new client, who would be needing them at lunch time. On my way to get them, I was approached by another health care assistant who requested my help with a client, who was lying in their own faeces. I therefore felt that the medication could wait, and that my main
The creditability of our profession is undermined when we face the temptation to ignore our ethical responsibilities. The author of “Ethics & Critical Thinking” asserts the most common ethical fallacies rely on poor judgments, enormous stress, and conflict. Patient violations are committed everyday when our thoughts maintain “it’s not unethical even if our acts have caused harm as long as the person we harmed had it coming, provoked us, deserved it, was really asking for it, or practically forced us to do it—or, failing that, has not behaved perfectly, is in some way unlikable, or is acting unreasonably.” Integrity and values guide our behaviors and ethical commitment
Ethical principals are the seed of which nursing flourishes from. Many ethical principals were involved and dishonored in this case such as, justice, autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, confidentiality and fidelity (Burkhardt et al., 2014). I believe justice was the main principal involved as the entire ethical predicament was revolved around unjust behavior and treatment of the residents. The residents were treated poorly and given unequal rights as a causation of their illnesses. Autonomy, an essential piece of human rights was also being violated in this ethical dilemma. The residents did not have any choice or independence in their care or how they were being treated. Beneficence and non-maleficence are significant dynamics of this ethical situation, as the health care providers needed to reflect on how they can have the maximum benefit while diminishing possible damage to the residents (Burkhardt et al., 2014). Our actions as nurses should always be beneficent and non maleficent, continuously being kind, compassionate and doing what is in their best interest as well a removing and preventing harm. Confidentiality is a key component of nursing and it was blatantly being violated as the health care
What a valuable employee, Sue definitely took the high road and handled that dilemma with integrity. Each person has many reasons for being ethical. Some reasons can be: inner beliefs, habits, virtue because it is its own reward, personal advantages, it's good business, there is approval, being an ethical person can lead to self-esteem, the admiration of loved ones and the respect of peers. There is also religion because it is believed that good behavior can please or help serve a deity. Ethical actions can fit in with upbringing or training. Ethics starts with the individual employee choosing the right or wrong decision.