Kansas Professional Licensing Attorney Advises Nurses How To Avoid Ethical Problems That Could Lead To Licensing Discipline

Nurses play a critical role in delivering necessary medical care to all patients. We, as consumers of healthcare services, come to expect that our nurse will treat us with empathy, respect, and care. We also expect that our nurses maintain the highest degree of ethical behavior. We do not give it a second thought. However, nurses are human and can make mistakes. Nurses need to take a step back every once and a while and take inventory of who they are and how their nursing practice affects their patients, other healthcare providers, and themselves. Doing so may help you avoid licensing discipline in Kansas and Missouri.

The Kansas Nurses Association recommends that nurses should have a good foundation of nursing ethics to enjoy a long and fruitful career.  The Kansas Nurses Association enumerated five (5) points of emphasis nurses should employ to avoid ethics violations when behavior or possible decisions skirt the boundaries of ethical conduct.  Medical professionals in Kansas and Missouri can benefit from using these tips for maintaining ethical conduct.

One of the suggestions espoused by the Kansas Nurses Association is related to self-knowledge and awareness. They counsel the nurse to know who they are from a personal and professional sense. Reflecting upon their beliefs, standards, and ethics will guide the nurse when making professional ethical decisions.  Self-awareness builds confidence and empowers a nurse to speak out against unethical or questionable medical practices and have the courage to stand up for what the nurse believes.

The second suggestion made by the Nurses Association is related to the first. They recommend not only knowing your ethical beliefs but encourage nurses to live them.  The Kansas Nurses Association suggests that living your beliefs and speaking out for what is right complies with the nurse’s obligation to take care of themselves before they care for others.  Taking care of oneself allows the nurse to meet head-on the daily ethical quandaries they face. But if you do not put yourself in a position to have the skill and courage to know the difference between ethical and unethical behavior then you may not be able to correct unethical medical practices.

The Kansas Nurses Association suggests nurses “go with their gut.” In other words, your instinct will tell you when something is wrong. Intuition is strong; listen to it. Your instinct is usually right.   Acting according to your intuition is different than acting on a hunch. A hunch is a guess. Your instinct is an internal guide that can lead you to make the appropriate decision. However, you should not only rely on your gut. If you have any uncertainty as to the proper course of action, then ask someone. Talk the problem out with a respected colleague or mentor. You may easily arrive at the correct decision by simply talking the problem out.  Rely on your co-workers and superiors to make the best decision.

Keeping in mind the core practice of nursing and the primary tenant of nursing will aid you in the decision-making process. At bottom, nurses’ primary responsibility is to respect life and treat others with dignity. Nurses must respect their patients, co-workers, physicians, and other healthcare professionals. This mandate extends to the nurse and the nurse’s family as well. The Kansas Nurses Association posits that nurses must not disrespect anyone and call out others who may be disrespectful to correct the problem immediately. In the end, ethical nursing starts with respect for life.

Seek Immediate Assistance For Ethical Questions

Kansas and Missouri professional licensing attorney Danielle Sanger counsels nurses who are facing ethical questions to seek competent advice for your ethical issues. Failure to do so could lead to professional discipline. If you find yourself under investigation for unethical behavior or need advice on ethical questions, make an appointment to meet with Attorney Sanger by calling 785-979-4353 today.

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