Topic > Professional, ethical and legal issues in nursing

According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), (2010) “the nurse promotes, advocates for and strives to protect the health, safety and rights of the patient” (p. 6 ). Nursing responsibilities should be performed to the highest standards and must be based on legal and ethical obligations. The health worker's perception and judgment regarding the patient's well-being, as well as taking into account the patient's rights in every action, is one of the key elements of nursing practice. The International Council of Nurses (ICN), (2006) states that “The nurse maintains at all times standards of personal conduct that reflect well on the profession and enhance public confidence” (p. 3). Furthermore, nursing action guided by the theory and principles of moral and legal rights complements excellent nursing care. Nurses' awareness of moral and legal codes helps them to control the complicated scenario encountered and direct nurses in the best possible action responsive to law (Lachman, 2006). In this essay the author will rationalize the relevance of professional, ethical and legal norms in the world of work. nursing practice. The author will discuss and analyze the chosen scenario and critically examine the actions taken at the expense of the patient and healthcare workers. Furthermore, the author will also evaluate the strength and limitations of the scenario in a larger issue with reasonable judgment supported by theories and principles of ethical and legal standards. In accordance with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), (2008) all identifiable details have been changed in accordance with (NMC, 2010). The author, as a healthcare assistant working in the nursing home, will present a scenario of Mrs. Keller (fictitious name) who is confined in dementia u......half of the paper...r investigation and then devise a plan for the best possible action recognizing the patient's rights and benefits followed by the application of the chosen intervention with the positive outcome in mind (Wells, 2007). The provision of excellent, quality care at a consistent level (NMC, 2008) must be marked across all care provider responsibilities and duties to promote exceptional nursing practices. Nursing codes of ethics and legal legislation have addressed almost all actions necessary in making decisions with the best interests of the patient in mind. Nurses must ensure that they are all guided by established standards to conduct their action and produce desirable and ethically valid results. However, it is realistic to recognize that there are some cases where the moral act contradicts the legal act, in this case the principle of prima facie can be applied.