From the Ethics Inbox Archives

From the Ethics Inbox

Competent care during pregnancy loss

I experienced an extremely traumatic miscarriage, which was directly affected by rude and incompetent nurses and other healthcare staff. After I began sharing my…

Nurse safety in the era of open notes

Patients now have access to clinical notes that show the full names of staff members involved in their care. Considering the level of violence…

Informing family members about patient treatment nonadherence

As a nurse practitioner, I’m the primary care provider for a patient who’s clearly not taking his medications and is showing indications—through observation, vital…

Medical gaslighting: Why don’t you hear me?

In my time as a nurse, I’ve observed patients’ concerns being dismissed as nonconsequential or in their heads. I’ve found these patients to be…

Concerns about calling out sick

I’m a new nurse employed in a hospital and would like to better understand a nurse’s responsibility around calling out sick. On the inpatient…

Prioritizing nurses’ well-being

I’m a new nurse manager and my team is burned out and fatigued. Many are concerned that this impacts their ability to provide optimal…

Addressing suicide among nurses

In the hospital where I work, a medical error contributed to a patient’s death. Unfortunately, a nurse committed suicide after this tragic event. Our…

Ethical challenges in enforcing dress codes

I’ve seen some backlash on social media after our organization issued a dress code policy that addressed hairstyle. I know policies that are restrictive…

Using large language models in nursing education

I’m a nurse educator and realize that artificial intelligence (AI) crossing over into the academic environment via ChatGPT and other chatbots affects how we…

Considering profit priorities in healthcare

How is it ethical that healthcare systems are making multimillion dollar profits when funds remain desperately needed at the bedside and beyond? This article…

Addressing gun violence in America

After the latest mass shooting, my nurse colleague and I disagreed about what needs to be done to address gun violence. What guidance does…

Implementing safe discharges for patients without homes

A recently discharged elderly homeless patient died near the hospital in which I work. We’re discharging more elderly patients to the streets because shelter…

Competent care during pregnancy loss

I experienced an extremely traumatic miscarriage, which was directly affected by rude and incompetent nurses and other healthcare staff. After I began…

Nurse safety in the era of open notes

Patients now have access to clinical notes that show the full names of staff members involved in their care. Considering the level…

Informing family members about patient treatment nonadherence

As a nurse practitioner, I’m the primary care provider for a patient who’s clearly not taking his medications and is showing indications—through…

Medical gaslighting: Why don’t you hear me?

In my time as a nurse, I’ve observed patients’ concerns being dismissed as nonconsequential or in their heads. I’ve found these patients…

Concerns about calling out sick

I’m a new nurse employed in a hospital and would like to better understand a nurse’s responsibility around calling out sick. On…

Prioritizing nurses’ well-being

I’m a new nurse manager and my team is burned out and fatigued. Many are concerned that this impacts their ability to…

Addressing suicide among nurses

In the hospital where I work, a medical error contributed to a patient’s death. Unfortunately, a nurse committed suicide after this tragic…

Ethical challenges in enforcing dress codes

I’ve seen some backlash on social media after our organization issued a dress code policy that addressed hairstyle. I know policies that…

Using large language models in nursing education

I’m a nurse educator and realize that artificial intelligence (AI) crossing over into the academic environment via ChatGPT and other chatbots affects…