Nurses encounter ethical conflict, uncertainty and distress in their everyday practice. Understanding and communicating beliefs and values, assists nurses to mitigate ethical conflicts and work their way through them when they do occur.
The Code of Ethics published by the Canadian Association of Nurses is a statement of the ethical values of nurses. It demonstrates nurses’ commitment to persons with health-care needs and persons receiving care. As a self-regulating profession, nurses are bound to this code of ethics as part of the regulatory process that serves to protect the public.
In this module an overview of ethical principles and professional ethics will be provided. The concepts of culture, spirituality and family dynamics will also be explored in the context of critical care nursing.