GROUP 2

:VIRTUE THEORY
OBJECTIVES:
1.Define Virtue Ethics
2.Know its importance in
Nursing
3. Look at scenarios for its
practical application
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE VIRTUOS?
It means building up our character by doing the right
thing always BUT IN THE

1 RIGHT TIME
2 RIGHT WAY
3 RIGHT AMOUNT
4 RIGHT PEOPLE
 4 OTHER
RIGHT THING
THROUGH RIGHTS
VIRTUOUS MAN
A. Habituation A. Vices
The continuous Any excess or
practice of good lack of virtue
makes it a habit and a
natural part of one’s
self

B. Moral Exemplars B. Golden mean

They are people who The perfect
already possess amount of virtue
virtues we want to considering
emulate circumstances
WHY LIVE THIS WAY?
According to E. Aries…
Virtue ethics is an approach which focuses on the character of a person.
Focuses on the virtues inherent in the nurse as moral agent in the story.
Emphasizes being rather than doing.
According to R.A, Newham…
 Emphasis is being placed on the psychology of character.
 Character guides conduct.
According to D. Sellman…
 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 concerned with the character of individual nurses
and seeks ways to enable nurses to develop character traits appropriate for
actions that enhance wellbeing.
Virtue ethics is sometimes referred to as agent-based ethics.
 Agent-based ethics tends towards asking: ‘what sort of person should I be?’
CHARACTER

The focus and guide when a Nurse acts

 NURSING CORE VALUES
Nursing Core ValuesThe American Association of Colleges of
Nursing (AACN) compiled a set of core values for nurses.

ALTRUISM HUMAN DIGNITY

AUTOMY INTEGRITY

SOCIALJUSTICE
 ALTRUISM
Nursing Core ValuesThe American Association of Colleges of
AACNNursing
(2008),(AACN)defined
compiled aaltruism as “aforconcern
set of core values nurses. for
the welfare and well-being of others” (p.16).
Altruism requires that nurses put the needs of
their patients before their own needs, which can
be difficult at times.
 AUTONOMY
Nursing Core ValuesThe American Association of Colleges of
Autonomy is a unique concept that can be applied to nursing in
Nursing (AACN) compiled a set of core values for nurses.
two ways. For example, autonomy according to the AACN
(2008), is defined as “the right to self-determination” (p.16). In
essence, this is the right that patients have to make their own
decisions. However, autonomy also refers to nurses acting
independently within their scope of practice (Leddy & Pepper,
1998).
 HUMAN DIGNITY
Nursing Core ValuesThe American Association of Colleges of
The AACN (2008),
Nursing (AACN)defined
compiledhuman dignity
a set of core valuesasfor“having
nurses. respect
for the inherent worth and uniqueness of individuals,
families, and communities and it characterizes all
interactions a nurse should have with them” (p. 17). Human
dignity, can be considered the root of all values that nurses
exemplify in their day-to-day interactions with patients.
 INTEGRITY
Nursing Core ValuesThe American Association of Colleges of
The AACN (2008)
Nursing (AACN)explained
compiled a that
set ofintegrity
core valuesinfor
nursing
nurses. “refers
to nurses acting in accordance with an appropriate code of
ethics and accepted standards of practice” (p.17). Nursing
professionals must also consider the integrity of patients.
Nurses should be cognizant of the ways in which they can
violate a patients integrity while caring for them.
 SOCIAL JUSTICE
Nursing Core ValuesThe American Association of Colleges of
Nursing (AACN) compiled a set of core values for nurses.
The AACN (2008) stated the term social
justice “refers to upholding moral, legal
and humanistic principles” (p.17).
 Scenario:
• Danielle is a third-year student nurse half-way through her final clinical
placement on Azalea ward. Like all student nurses she has had a mentor in each
of her previous placements but she has never met anyone quite like Belanna,
her mentor on Azalea ward.
• It is a very busy ward, yet unlike most of the other mentors that Danielle
worked with, Belanna seems always to know what to do whatever the
situation.
• She always has a kind word to say to everyone from the most difficult and
demanding patient; from the ward cleaner to the hospital chief, and even in the
most challenging situations she always seems to be able to find a way to ensure
that everyone’s dignity is upheld, no one gets left unattended, and no one feels
neglected or humiliated.
 Scenario:
• Belanna is kind, compassionate, and caring but does not flinch from confronting
situations that might otherwise undermine those ideals of practice. Yet she has no
pretentions and does not think that what she does is anything special, in fact she
thinks how anyone in her position would do.
• She is always seeking feedback from students, patients, families, and co-workers and
goes out of her way to ensure that everyone who arrives on their ward has a positive
experience. At first Danielle thought that this was too good to be true, or that it was
all an act but after 6 weeks on the ward, Danielle recognizes that there is something
about Belanna that marks her out as a particularly good nurse. Danielle decides that
Belanna represents the type of nurse that she (Danielle) wants to become.
• Virtue ethics = It focuses on the character of the actor or
the agent. Also know as “agent based ethics”
• Agent based ethics usually asks the question— “What sort
of person should I be?”
• Agent based ethics requires the agent or the actor to seek
what type of person he/she wants to become
• And to become that certain sort of person, a person with
the virtues must lead himself to act how a virtuous person
would act