Ethics in Nursing

Course overview

Nurses are often obligated to make ethical decisions. It is vital that nurses have the analytical thinking ability and skills to be able to appropriately respond to the vast everyday decisions regarding a patient's well being that must be made. With the use of ethical principles, theories, and codes, nurses and patients are better able to make informed decisions in care. To prepare and assist the nurse in making ethical decisions, the American Nurse Association and the International Council for Nurses independently developed Codes of Ethics to use as a guide when ethical dilemmas arise. Ethical terminology, and each of the codes of ethics are discussed through case study review.