RT Article
T1 Nurse ethical awareness: Understanding the nature of everyday practice
JF Nursing ethics
VO 24
IS 5
SP 517
OP 524
A1 Milliken, Aimee
A1 Grace, Pamela
LA English
PB Sage
YR 2017
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1779455208
AB Much attention has been paid to the role of the nurse in recognizing and addressing ethical dilemmas. There has been less emphasis, however, on the issue of whether or not nurses understand the ethical nature of everyday practice. Awareness of the inherently ethical nature of practice is a component of nurse ethical sensitivity, which has been identified as a component of ethical decision-making. Ethical sensitivity is generally accepted as a necessary precursor to moral agency, in that recognition of the ethical content of practice is necessary before consistent action on behalf of patient interests can take place. This awareness is also compulsory in ensuring patient good by recognizing the unique interests and wishes of individuals, in line with an ethic of care. Scholarly and research literature are used to argue that bolstering ethical awareness and ensuring that nurses understand the ethical nature of the role are an obligation of the profession. Based on this line of reasoning, recommendations for education and practice, along with directions for future research, are suggested.
K1 Nursing
K1 Moral Sensitivity
K1 Ethics
K1 Ethical Sensitivity
K1 Care Ethics
DO 10.1177/0969733015615172