Professional, Ethical and Legal issues in nursing Essay -- Health Care

According to American Nurses Association (ANA), (2010) â€Å"the nurse promotes, advocates for and strives to protect the heath, safety and right of the patient† (p. 6). Nursing responsibilities should be acted at the highest standard and must be based on legal and ethical obligations. Healthcare provider’s perception and judgment in the patient’s well being as well as taking into account the right of the patient in every action is one of the key elements in nursing practice. International Council of Nurses (ICN), (2006) states â€Å"The nurse at all times maintains standards of personal conduct which reflect well on the profession and enhance public confidence† (p. 3). Furthermore, nursing action guided by theory and principles of moral and legal rights complements excellent nursing care. Nurse’s awareness in moral and legal codes helps them control the complicated scenario encountered and direct the nurses in the best possible action answerable by law (Lachman, 2006). In this essay the author will rationalize the relevance of professional, ethical and legal regulations in the practice of nursing. The author will discuss and analyze the chosen scenario and critically review the action taken in the expense of the patient and the care workers. In addition, the author will also evaluates the strength and limitations of the scenario in a broader issue with reasonable judgement supported by theories and principles of ethical and legal standards. In accordance with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), (2008) all identifiable details have been changed in accordance with (NMC, 2010). The author as a healthcare assistant working in the nursing home will present a scenario of Mrs. Keller (not her real name) who is confined in the dementia u... ...r investigation and then devise a plan for best possible action recognizing the rights of the patient and its benefits followed by the application of the chosen intervention with positive outcome in mind (Wells, 2007). Delivery of excellent and quality of care at constant level (NMC, 2008) must be marked in any responsibilities and duties of the care provider to promote exceptional nursing practice Codes of nursing ethics and legal legislation have addressed almost all the necessary action in making decision in consideration to the best interest of the patient. Nurses must make sure that they are all guided by the set standard to lead their action and produced desirable and ethically sound outcome. However, it is realistic to acknowledge that there are some instances that moral act contradict legal act, in this case, the principle of prima facie can be applied.