Running head: ETHICAL DECISION MAKING 1

Ethical Decision Making

Lauren Herr

Grand Canyon University: NSG-436

August 8, 2020
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Ethical Decision Making

Within the healthcare industry, nurses are confronted with ethical dilemmas on a day-to-

day basis. An ethical dilemma is defined as an inner conversation in which there are two

propositions where neither are acceptable. To resolve these dilemmas, nurses must engage in

ethical decision-making skills. These skills are "necessary to perceive and eliminate unethical

options and select the best ethical alternative" (UC San Diego, 2016, para. 1). The purpose of the

paper is to discuss the ethical dilemma of discriminatory treatment, describe which ethical

decision model could resolve the issue, and provide a possible solution.

Ethical Dilemma and Justification

Discriminatory treatment is an ethical dilemma that is prevalent within the nursing field.

This dilemma is defined as when a patient is treated unjustly or unfairly as a result of their

gender, age, race, religion, or economic status (American Nurses Association, 2019). This is an

issue that is harmful to the communities and violates the ethical code of nursing. Unfortunately,

this is a prevailing issue that continues to negatively affect the patient's overall health. For

instance, clinical studies have proven that black women have a higher risk for severe mortality

associated with postpartum hemorrhage as a result of their race compared to non-Hispanic

whites, Hispanics, Asians or Native Americans (Gyamfi-Bannerman, Srinivas, Wright, Goffman,

Siddiq, D'Alton & Friedman, 2018). Despite this, discrimination should never be tolerated in the

healthcare system regardless of circumstances. Diversity must be present and embraced to better

communities.

Standard Application and Providing Safe Client Care

Nurses and Nurse Managers are responsible for engaging in ethical decision-making

skills. Nurses are responsible for making decisions based on the intensity of the situation and
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patient acuity while nurse managers are in charge of scheduling, staffing, and providing nursing

interventions. Overall, decision-making skills are the core of nursing. While there are a variety of

different approaches to utilizing critical thinking skills, the goal remains the same which is

patient safety. Nurses must be advocators for different policies that promote the overall health

and human rights of patients, healthcare workers, and others within the community (American

Nurses Association, 2019). All in all, it is the nurse's responsibility to ensure that policies are

being followed through the decision-making process to ensure the safety of the patient.

Ethical Decision-Making Skills

To resolve ethical dilemmas, a variety of tools need to be considered. Some of these tools

include “algorithms, policies, procedures, clinical protocols, standard order sets, and smart

alerts” (Huber, 2018, p. 66). If discriminatory treatment occurs, polices would be the most

effective tool to enforce. The foundational aspect of nursing requires that policies should be

focused to help eliminate any form of discrimination. The ANA ensures and supports policies

moving forward that help eradicate discriminatory treatment to better the community. Through

utilizing the different set of policies that are in place, nurse managers and nurses can enforce and

refer to them to ensure that ethical decisions are present. There must be a level of care that is

maintained regardless of the patient.

Solution and Leadership Influence

While ethical dilemmas occur in the healthcare system, it is important to come up with

solutions to help eliminate them. In general, there is never time for discrimination to be tolerated.

This is an issue that is still present despite many attempts to help eliminate it. The first step in

solving this issue would involve bringing attention to the problem so that change occurs.

Addressing the issue would be crucial because some individuals may not realize that it is still
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prevalent in the field. Another solution would be to provide and embrace diversity in the field.

Incorporating diversity into the healthcare workforce helps the community relate to someone's

gender, race, sexual orientation, immigration status, and socioeconomic level (Stanford, 2020).

Furthermore, all nurses must examine their own biases towards others and come up with ways to

help put their opinions on the side. Lastly, leadership styles can also help lead to different

solutions such as transformational leadership. If a nurse leader incorporates the transformational

style and sees discrimination occurring, they are then able to help change the overall culture of

the work environment. Through a zero-tolerance of discrimination environment and

incorporation of policies, eradication of discrimination can occur. All in all, nurses must

advocate for equal treatment and care for all patients to help promote well-rounded care for all

patients.
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References

American Nurses Association. (2019). The nurse's role in addressing discrimination: Protecting

and promoting inclusive strategies in practice settings, policy, and advocacy. [Position

statement]. Retrieved from

https://www.nursingworld.org/~4ab207/globalassets/practiceandpolicy/nursing-

excellence/ana-position-statements/social-causes-and-health-care/the-nurses-role-in-

addressing-discrimination.pdf

Gyamfi-Bannerman, C., Srinivas, S. K., Wright, J. D., Goffman, D., Siddiq, Z., D'Alton, M. E.,

& Friedman, A. M. (2018). Postpartum hemorrhage outcomes and race. American

Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 219 (2), Retrieved from

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2018.04.052

Huber, D. L. (2018). Leadership & nursing care management (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

Stanford, F. C. (2020). The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in the Healthcare Workforce.

Journal of the National Medical Association, 112(3), 247–249. Retrieved from

https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.jnma.2020.03.014

UC San Diego. (2016). Making ethical decisions: Process. Retrieved from

https://blink.ucsd.edu/finance/accountability/ethics/process.html