My Nursing Ethic

People have the inherent capability to decide what is wrong and what is right in a variable number of circumstances. The ultimate decisions that they eventually make usually have consequences that may be bad or good depending on a wide range of reasons and perspectives. Perhaps this burden of deciding what is right from what is wrong is more difficult for health care givers as it may spell life or death for patients. Therefore, I feel that as an aspiring professional nurse, there is a certain code that I must adhere to in order to give wholesome care to patients and not just curative care.

There are many sources from which I derive my inspirations and in turn my morals. I was brought up in a Christian society where there was strict adherence to the rule of law; both religious and government. Peer pressure also helped shape some of the moral standards that I uphold today. I thank the guidance that I have received from a myriad of sources. In particular, I would want to acknowledge my parents, teachers, counselors, peers, religious leaders and other role models that have helped me develop my moral compass. Although not all the influences may have been positive, they nonetheless contributed in the development of a moral code.

Morality is an absolute concept that is grounded on fixed concretes. On the other hand, spirituality is an abstract concept which deals with the unseen. I have developed my moral compass around my spirituality. This reconciles my inner spirit with the outer spirit which is both universal and divine. There are numerous occasions within the nursing practice where culture, religion and the state law conflict. In these occasions, I am guided by my spirituality which allows me to look within myself and chart a course of action based on my reconciliation of what is right when presented with conflicting ideals. The ideals presented by society (outward moral codes) often collide with each other and thus it helps to have an inward code entrenched in ones spirituality. Researchers in nursing believe that any belief system, be it religious or otherwise, has a direct link of one’s understanding on what to be human entails (Wright & Neuberger, 2012). They argue that people are much more than the responsibilities associated with their jobs and personalities. There are large parts of belief systems that are prudent in dissociating the ‘I’ and ‘them’ concepts that are achieved through meditation, prayer, scripture reading or other activity that encourages the participant to integrate with nature and become a better global citizen. It is in the belief that discouraging egocentrism makes us a better part of creation that my spirituality is grounded. It helps to subvert the notions of absolute concepts like ‘me being the nurse’ and ‘you being the patient’ thus allowing me to give better care that transcends the defined and set practice.

Perhaps the largest and most difficult responsibility of a nurse is caring for total strangers; people with whom we have no personal ties. The abstractions of concepts like ‘I am the nurse’ or ‘you are the patient’ run the risk of creating redundancy which blurs the view of the patient as a human being. Separateness of the roles played by a nurse and a patient can shrink the world a nurse lives in meaning that they may be compelled to see the patient in a negative light should he/she become needy and demanding. Spirituality ensures that one continues to view other human beings as such regardless of the complications of their ailments or conditions.

I am convinced that in order to be an ethical nurse, I must constantly improve my skills. This is because any personal doubt on my qualifications will only serve to cripple my spirituality. Working harmoniously with all other care givers including physicians, family members and management also ensures that there is a positive environment. Where there is lack of support from various stakeholders, nurses find themselves being forced to defend their positions to patients. These defenses may turn out to be rude and objectifying leading to the view of patients as people whom things must be done to. In such circumstances, it is prudent to remember that not only the patient is human, but all other stakeholders who may not be as grounded in spirituality as I am. This collective view of everyone as having varying opinions but eventually meaning well has helped me to become a well-rounded and mature human being that is always focused on seeing all others in a wider picture and in a perfect creation capable of always doing well.

I acknowledge the fact that some nurses might view spirituality as being too abstract to have any meaningful contribution to nursing practice. But I have found that when we treat others from the guidance entrenched in our humanity instead of our defined roles and absolute concepts developed over years of practicing the art of nursing, we become incapable of hurting our patients simply because when a person cares for another, they are ultimately caring for themselves as we are one under a spiritual umbrella.

References

Wright, S. & Neuberger, J., (2012). Why Spirituality is essential for nurses. Nursing Standard, 26(40)