Dealing with POLST and long-term care
I’m a new RN on the night shift at a skilled nursing facility (SNF) in California. The admissions clerk, who isn’t a healthcare professional,…
From the Ethics Inbox
Tragedy from a vaccine-preventable disease
I’m an RN in a large pediatric practice that’s currently reeling from grief. We recently learned of the tragic death of a healthy newborn…
Enhancing nursing education about LGBTQ+ care
I'm a nursing student in the last semester of my Bachelor of Science in nursing program. Up to this point, my instructors haven’t discussed…
Is the Code of Ethics for Nurses a legal document?
What if I make an inadvertent, unethical practice error? Is the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements a legal document that can…
The ethics of cooperating with law enforcement
I’m an RN working in a pediatric unit. I was caring for a patient and family when my hospital’s security service contacted me to…
Informed consent for nursing care
I recently was asked to obtain a signed informed nursing consent before delivering prescribed care to a patient in an outpatient chemotherapy center. Is this…
Research ethics: What nurses need to know
I’ve been asked to care for patients who are participating in a research study. What are the ethical guidelines for this type of practice?
Health disparities and end of life care
I’m a community health nurse and have personally witnessed how health disparities manifest in advance care planning and end-of-life discussions in Black communities. Is…
How to address racial injustice in the workplace and community
I am a white frontline nurse in a medium-sized, full-service hospital. I am profoundly moved by the injustices I see occurring to ethnically and…
Is political advocacy ethical for nurses?
I recently saw a political ad featuring a nurse using her name and licensed credentials to support a particular candidate and his views on…
Ethics and personal safety on the frontlines of COVID-19
I’m an emergency department (ED) nurse and worry about becoming critically ill from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Despite years of pandemic anticipation and months…
Promoting civility in the workplace
Bullying and incivility are rampant on my nursing unit. My manager doesn’t address the situation, which contributes to an unhealthy work environment. Things escalated…
Dealing with POLST and long-term care
I’m a new RN on the night shift at a skilled nursing facility (SNF) in California. The admissions clerk, who isn’t a…
Tragedy from a vaccine-preventable disease
I’m an RN in a large pediatric practice that’s currently reeling from grief. We recently learned of the tragic death of a…
Enhancing nursing education about LGBTQ+ care
I'm a nursing student in the last semester of my Bachelor of Science in nursing program. Up to this point, my instructors…
Is the Code of Ethics for Nurses a legal document?
What if I make an inadvertent, unethical practice error? Is the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements a legal document…
The ethics of cooperating with law enforcement
I’m an RN working in a pediatric unit. I was caring for a patient and family when my hospital’s security service contacted…
Informed consent for nursing care
I recently was asked to obtain a signed informed nursing consent before delivering prescribed care to a patient in an outpatient chemotherapy center.…
Research ethics: What nurses need to know
I’ve been asked to care for patients who are participating in a research study. What are the ethical guidelines for this type…
Health disparities and end of life care
I’m a community health nurse and have personally witnessed how health disparities manifest in advance care planning and end-of-life discussions in Black…
How to address racial injustice in the workplace and community
I am a white frontline nurse in a medium-sized, full-service hospital. I am profoundly moved by the injustices I see occurring to…
Is political advocacy ethical for nurses?
I recently saw a political ad featuring a nurse using her name and licensed credentials to support a particular candidate and his…
Ethics and personal safety on the frontlines of COVID-19
I’m an emergency department (ED) nurse and worry about becoming critically ill from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Despite years of pandemic anticipation…
Promoting civility in the workplace
Bullying and incivility are rampant on my nursing unit. My manager doesn’t address the situation, which contributes to an unhealthy work environment.…