ETHICAL DILEMMA

Ethical Dilemma



Ethical Dilemma

The Dilemma

An Ethical Dilemma arises in situations where the ethical course of action is not clear, where there may be a strong moral reason to support each of several positions, or in which a decision is based on the most right or least wrong choice of action.

The patient who is aware and oriented says nothing but looks very upset. In this situation, the Student Nurse is faced with three basic dilemmas, she/he can choose to do nothing because it is not their problem, or he/she could confront the RN in a polite manner, or he/she can discuss the situation to the Clinical Instructor, and let them guide with a resolution. This is a situation which presents the Student Nurse with an Ethical Dilemma. (Keating and Smith, 2009)

Discussion

Life is filled with challenges. Sometimes, we are faced with situations in which we know a person has committed an inappropriate action, however, it may be hard to communicate that to them because we are just not in a position or authority level to be able to confront the person. The Clinical Instructor agrees to have the RN help the student with the dressing change. During the dressing change, the RN makes rude comments about the wound i.e. “yuk” “this is gross” and shows looks of disgust. Following through with a decision which is in line with our beliefs is probably the choice we want to make, however, taking an action is not a clear cut solution in all situations. For example, a situation where a nursing student is doing a clinical placement on an adult medical floor, and has to do a complicated surgical change.

Elements of the Dilemma

This situation is an ethical dilemma for a number of reasons. The first of which is the right of the patient to receive care in a respectful and dignified manner are not being met. Secondly, The Student Nurse does not really have any authority in this situation. If she says anything to the Nurse, then the Nurse may take it the wrong way, after all RN is a “professional”, has more experience, and more knowledge. Thirdly, the student could discuss the situation with the Clinical Instructor, however, if the Clinical Instructor decides to speak to the RN or the charge nurse on the floor then the Student Nurse can be seen as a “tattle-tale”, and looked down by everyone, because the RN was doing her a favour, and complaining about the RN is probably not the best way to show gratitude.

Roles

Role of the Student Nurse

The Student Nurse is training to be an RN and one of the obligations of the RN per CNO is to report inappropriate behaviours - emotional, verbal, and/or physical to the appropriate authority. The primary goal of any agency is to provide the best possible care for their patients. By inviting Nursing Students to the floor, they are saying that, we uphold our policies, the standards of the college of Nurses, come learn from ...