Virtue Ethics in Nursing

Virtue Ethics – provides an explanation of what

makes a person good or bad. Top of these
meanings is the description of good or bad
behavior.
Someone's acts are good or bad because
they're behaving like a virtuous individual
would instead of the consequentialist or
deontological method, which does the contrary, it
describes the acts which are good and bad first
and builds on top of those any ideas of virtue that you would have instead of identifying either
positive consequences or rules that you need to obey.
Virtue ethicists will describe the virtues and what it means to uphold a certain virtue. The
desire to stop a virtue going too far, is often referred to as practical wisdom, and it is a necessity
to have maximum virtue.
Many virtue ethicists may also assert that being virtuous requires both genuinely
behaving in accordance with that virtue and behaving in the correct mental state for the sake of
that virtue, not because it fulfilled any other purpose, and it is not just in one way that one must
act to end up having the virtue that one must behave consistently in accordance with that virtue,
you cannot do only one good thing in one instance.
Virtue ethics can be traced all the way back to the likes of Plato, Confucius, Mencius and
Aristotle in particular. A resurgence is seen starting in the second half of the century and
continuing into the present day.
 Virtues are intellectual or character traits or habits that are developed throughout one’s life.
 It’s a personal effort, training and practice.
 Cardinal Virtues:
o Wisdom
o Courage
o Hope
o Justice
o Faith
o Love
o Charity
o Temperance
o Honesty
o Compassion
o Caring
o Responsibility
o Integrity
 o Discernment
o Trustworthiness
o Prudence

 Nursing is an essential method for the determination of moral behavior.

 Virtues are a tendency to act, sound and judge that emerges from the nature
capacity through proper training and exercise.
 Practice develops a pattern of behaving in a noble manner.
 Excellence in character depends on inspiration, deliberation, sound judgment,
self-control and practice.

Virtue Ethic in Nursing - Virtue ethics is an approach that focuses on character with the
assumption that a person of good character will tend to behave in ways that are consistent with
their character. A virtue ethics for nursing is therefore concerned with the character of individual
nurses and seeks ways to enable nurses to develop character traits appropriate for actions that
enhance wellbeing. (Sellman, 2017)
Four obligations, six virtues
By discussing the ethical responsibilities and duties of nurses, the Code of Ethics for Nurses
helps you answer the question, "What should I do in this situation?" It defines four key
obligations that you must meet in order to satisfy the contract between nurses and the public:
 respecting the patient's privacy and protecting confidentiality
 communicating honestly about all aspects of the patient's diagnosis, treatment, and
prognosis
 conducting an ethically valid process of informed consent
 advocating for the patient's expressed interests or best interests. 
Virtues are better described as having attributes that inspire a person to behave in a moral or
ethical manner. The Code describes virtues as character traits that lead people to do the right
thing. These six principles apply to nursing:
o professional competence
o honesty and integrity
o caring and compassion
o fairness and justice
o respect and self-respect
o courage.

Core Values of a Professional Nurse

Key terms:
Values - are enduring beliefs or attitudes about the worth of a person, object, idea, or action.
Values are important because they influence decisions and actions, including nurses’ ethical
decision making.
Value set - is the small group of values held by an individual. People organize their set of values
internally along a continuum from most important to least important, forming a value system.
Value systems - are basic to a way of life, give direction to life, and form the basis of behavior -
especially behavior that is based on decisions or choices.
Beliefs – are interpretations or conclusions that people accept as true. They are based more on
faith than fact and may or may not be true.
Attitudes - are mental positions or feelings toward a person, object or idea. Typically, an attitude
lasts over time, whereas a belief may last only briefly. Attitudes are often judged as bad or good,
positive or negative, whereas beliefs are judged as correct or incorrect. Attitude shave thinking
and behavioral aspects.
Personal Values - are learned values from society and perceived and internalized by an
individual as his own.
Professional Values – are acquired during socialization into nursing from Code of Ethics, nursing
experiences, teachers and peers.
Values Clarification - is a process by which people identify, examine, and develop their own
individual values. A principle of values clarification is that no one set of values is right for
everyone. It promotes personal growth by fostering awareness, empathy, and insight.
- One widely used theory of values clarification was developed by Raths Harmin, and
Simon(1978). They described a “valuing process” of thinking, feeling, and behavior that
they termed “choosing,” “prizing,” and “acting”

ESSENTIAL NURSING VALUES AND BEHAVIORS

 Altruism- is a concern for the welfare and well-being of others. In professional practice,
altruism is reflected by the nurse’s concern for the welfare of patients, other nurses, and
other health care providers.
 Autonomy - is the right to self-determination. Professional practice reflects autonomy
when the nurse respects patients’ rights to make decisions about their health.
 Human dignity - is respect for the inherent worth and the uniqueness of individuals and
populations. In professional practice, human dignity is reflected when nurse values and
respects all patients and colleagues.
 Integrity - is acting in accordance with an appropriate code of ethics and accepted
standards of practice. It is reflected in professional practice when the nurse is honest and
provides care based on an ethical framework that is accepted within the profession.
  Social justice- is upholding moral, legal and humanistic principles. This value is reflected
in professional practice when the nurse works to ensure equal treatment under the law
and equal access to quality health care.
PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIORS
 Reflects understanding of the values, views and viewpoints of others. He or she
advocates for patients, particularly the most fragile. Risks are faced on behalf of
patients and peers; and mentors of other professionals.

 A nurse plans care in collaboration with the client. He or she respects the ability of
patients and families to make decisions on health care. Provides info so that patients
can make informed decisions and offers culturally knowledgeable and responsive
treatment. And also preserves the dignity of the patient.

 Protects the confidentiality of patients and health care providers and designs care that
is sensitive to specific patient needs. It also offers truthful information to patients and
the public. Documents are reliable and truthful, and they aim to correct the mistakes
made by themselves or others.    

 Shows accountability. Supports justice and non-discrimination in the delivery of care.

Professional nurses Advocate equal access to health care. Encourages legislation and
regulation in accordance with the progress of nursing care and health care.

Nurses and nursing students need to examine the values they hold about life, death, health
and illness. One strategy for gaining awareness of personal values is to consider one’s
attitudes about specific issues such as abortion, or euthanasia.