Nurse Liability

NURSE LIABILITY

Introduction

Ethical Responsibilities

Professional Responsibilities

Social Responsibilities

Legal Responsibilities

Conclusion

Nurse Liability, What are your Responsibilities

Introduction

The responsibilities of nurses are diverse, and their job is to take care of patients. Nurses are responsible for monitoring and observing the patient's condition, administer medicines and note records of the patients. In this essay, I will discuss the ethical, professional, legal and social responsibilities of nurses. Aside from professional duties, nurses should provide emotional support to the patients, which is very significant. The nurse-patient relationship should be maintained in a positive manner, and good conduct is an important aspect of nursing duties.

Ethical Responsibilities

In nursing practice, conditions, modes of conduct, and customs are followed. As nurses deal with human lives, it is very necessary that they focus on their conduct and relationships with patients (Watson, 2009). The nurse should respect the worth, dignity and individuality of every patient, without considering the social, personal and financial attributes. Commitment to the patient without consideration of the disease is of utmost importance.

Nurses are helping in improving and maintaining the healthcare environment, and keeping the situation conducive for high quality health provision. Participation in the profession advancement is also essential through education, information distribution, administration and efficient practice. Aside from individual progress and wellbeing, nurses are responsible for the promotion of community, and international health care needs by collaborating with the public and professionals.

The integrity of the profession and its practice should be always maintained, without compromising the values. Nurses should plan and practice their duties in such a manner which ensures optimum care. Protecting and promoting the rights, health and safety of the patients is essential. Along with performing these values to the patients, nurses should ensure that they apply the same values to themselves. One might encounter some ethical dilemmas during nursing practice, where a choice between equally unfavorable alternatives is made. As a result, nurses should have strong decision making skills.

One of the fundamental ethical theories in nursing practice is autonomy. It is the ability to make free and independent decisions. In health care, nurses should respect the right of patients and their relatives to make their own decisions after complete provision of knowledge and information. If, in some cases, the patient is not able to make his own choice, a decision, which is scientifically and medically favorable, should be adopted.

Another important ethical principle is providing all the patients equal attention and care. Provision of a favor should not affect other patients, and the dealings should be fair in every respect. According to the code of ethics for nurses (2013), nurses should be faithful to the agreements and duties they have committed themselves as per the requirements of the professional practice. Ethical obligation commands not only technical efficiency, but approaching patients with a holistic manner. Truthfulness should be always employed, and the clients should not be intentionally mislead or deceived.

In some cases, the patients themselves might not be able to make a decision; in that circumstance, nurses should make their own decisions after considering ...