Lesson 3: Ethical and Legal Responsibilities and the Role of the Nurse Leader as Advocate

So it appears that complaining actually works! Well sometimes... Blackboard has decided to give me 2 sections right now so currently I can view the modules!

Well, these chapters were not particularly insightful (maybe it was because I read them while waiting for my mom's surgery to finish or maybe because they are blah blah blah).  I've taken an Ethics & Values, so it wasn't really anything new.  Theories are great, but in the real world I have a hard time seeing how they are actually used. Usually what I see in practice is the managers personal values applied in action. In general, I think the values match that of the company, but if this were not the case then problems would result. If it were simple, then we would not be discussing it in class. Life is not black and white, there is a lot of GRAY! And what is right and wrong changes according your standards/values.

One of the most challenging things for the nurse leader is that they are responsible for the actions of others, but do not often have very much control of the actions of others. The fear of being sued is always at the back of everyone's mind. In text I think utilitarianism is the best method, but when actually applying it is difficult.  For what creates the best common good is not always agreed upon and who wants to be the individual that gets the shaft for the greater good? I loved what we talked about in class, it is not best to try to be fair (as it is impossible), but to strive for consistency (hard to do but the best policy!). Sometimes what is most ethical is definitely not the best legal option (like the case study of allowing the life partner at the  bedside when she had no legal authority to be there). I think often managers are faced with many decisions that need to be discussed at length (for 2 heads are always better than one), but often are left to make the decision quickly by themselves. One of the best ways that manager's are effective in ethics & legal responsibilities is by being an advocate for patients, subordinates, and the organization. They help make policy decisions that have a great affect. Keeping the perspective as an advocate helps guide good decisions. It is easy in a manager position to forget what it is actually like on the floor. One day my manager had to take a team on the floor, she laughed and said that she thought all managers should have to do this! But don't quote me! Maybe that really would yield the best management!