Nursing Values and Professional Ethics
What is the importance of values and ethics? Values and ethics set the tone for human behavior. Values and ethics determine how we interact with the world, with those around us, and with ourselves. Values and ethics provide the framework for how we view the world, as well as what we put out into it. Nursing values and professional ethics are no different. These values and ethics determine the code by which we care, communicate, and approach the job of nursing.
So, what role do nursing values and professional ethics play on public health and policy?
For this Discussion, you will consider the role of nursing values and professional ethics on your selected advocacy issue. You will also consider the impact of law, politics, and ethics on the issue.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
equired Resources
· Dawes, D. E. (2020).
The political determinants of health. Johns Hopkins University Press.
· Chapter 2, “Setting the Precedent: America’s Attempts to Address the Political Determinants of Health Inequalities” (pp. 18–40)
· Porche, D. J. (2023).
Health policy: Applications for nurses and other healthcare professionals (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
· Chapter 16, “Policy, Law, and Politics: Ethical Perspective” (pp. 239–254)
· American Nurses Association. (2015).
Code of ethics for nurses with interpretative statementsLinks to an external site.
.
· American Nurses Association. (2015). Chapter 1. Social contract theory: This profession called “nursing,” and its rights, privileges, and obligations. In
Guide to nursing’s social policy statementLinks to an external site.
(pp. 1–28).
· Satcher Health Leadership Institute. (n.d.).
COVID-19 fact sheetsLinks to an external site.
[Infographics].
To Prepare:
· Review the resources about nursing values and professional ethics.
· Review your identified population from Weeks 1 and 2.
· Consider the connection to nursing values and professional ethics to your identified advocacy priority.
By Day 3 of Week 3
Post a response detailing the following:
· Describe the nursing values and professional ethics related to the advocacy priority identified for the selected population.
· Why do our nursing values and ethics demand it be on the agenda?
· Compare the role of law, ethics, or politics on the population identified in your Week 2 Advocacy Area Assignment. Consider which area (law, ethics, or politics) has the most impact on the area.
· RESPOND TO THIS DISCUSSION POST
· SO OKW
Nursing Values and Professional Ethics in Mental Health Advocacy
Nursing values and professional ethics are foundational to advocating for the mental health needs of underserved populations. This group’s priority of mental health equity aligns closely with key nursing values, including compassion, advocacy, and social justice. Nurses have a professional and ethical duty to promote the well-being of individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status, as they work toward ensuring access to mental health care for all individuals (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2021). Compassion is a core value in mental health advocacy, encouraging nurses to empathetically engage with patients who face significant mental health challenges, particularly those in underserved communities. Addressing mental health inequities reflects compassion and a deep commitment to alleviating suffering and improving the well-being of vulnerable populations (Oruche & Zapolski, 2020).
· Advocacy is a vital aspect of nursing, with professionals charged to speak up for individuals who may not have the means or voice to advocate for themselves. Many individuals in underserved communities encounter systemic barriers to accessing adequate mental health care. By advocating for changes to policies and practices that address these disparities, nurses fulfill their ethical obligation to protect patient rights and promote equitable access to care (Oruche & Zapolski, 2020). Additionally, nursing’s commitment to social justice drives the need for equal distribution of healthcare resources, particularly when addressing the disproportionate mental health challenges faced by underserved groups. Nurses advocating for mental health equity are not only striving for better outcomes. However, they also work to reduce the broader social and economic inequalities often accompanying mental illness (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2021).
Why Nursing Values and Ethics Demand It on the Agenda
The demand for mental health equity to be placed on the advocacy agenda is grounded in nursing’s core principles of holistic care, advocacy, and social responsibility. Nurses are integral to providing comprehensive care that addresses their patients’ physical and mental health needs. By placing mental health equity at the forefront of the advocacy agenda, nurses help ensure that all aspects of health are addressed, promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This commitment is part of the nursing profession’s goal of contributing to a just and effective healthcare system that provides equal opportunities for all individuals, especially those facing social and economic hardships (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2021).
· The nursing profession also recognizes the interdependence of mental and physical health. Ignoring mental health issues only exacerbates existing health disparities and undermines overall well-being. Nurses, guided by their ethical principles, advocate for policies acknowledging this relationship, ensuring a more integrated approach to patient care. Nurses prioritizing mental health in their advocacy efforts contribute to a broader, more effective strategy for improving overall health outcomes (Dawes, 2020; Oruche & Zapolski, 2020).
· Role of Law, Ethics, and Politics
Addressing the mental health needs of underserved populations is deeply influenced by the interplay of law, ethics, and politics. Legal frameworks are essential in shaping policies that directly impact access to mental health services, whether these policies perpetuate or mitigate disparities in care. Ethical guidelines help ensure that care is delivered with dignity and respect while promoting justice and equity in nursing practice. However, politics often has the most profound impact on mental health outcomes, as it influences the creation and enforcement of policies that allocate resources, establish priorities, and shape the healthcare landscape for underserved populations.
· Politics, mainly through the policy-making process, plays a critical role in determining the level of support for mental health services in underserved communities. Decisions made at the political level can either enhance or limit access to care, depending on how resources are allocated and which health issues are prioritized. Legal and ethical principles, while important, are often shaped by political considerations, making the political determinants of health a central factor in addressing mental health disparities (Dawes, 2020; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2021). By advocating for policies that prioritize mental health equity, nurses can address the systemic issues that affect mental health care availability and quality for underserved populations.
· Conclusion
· Nursing values and ethics demand prioritizing mental health equity as a core aspect of healthcare advocacy. By focusing on compassion, advocacy, and social justice, nurses help address underserved populations’ mental health needs. The combined influence of law, ethics, and politics shapes the landscape of mental health care, with political factors holding the most sway in determining the resources and policies that impact vulnerable populations. Recognizing this intersection is essential for developing effective advocacy strategies to improve mental health outcomes for underserved groups.
· References
· Dawes, D. E. (2020). The political determinants of health. Johns Hopkins University Press.
· National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; National Academy of Medicine; Committee on the Future of Nursing 2020–2030; Flaubert, J. L., Le Menestrel, S., Williams, D. R., et al., editors. (2021). The future of nursing 2020-2030: Charting a path to achieve health equity. National Academies Press.
· Oruche, U. M., & Zapolski, T. C. B. (2020). The role of nurses in eliminating health disparities and achieving health equity. Journal of psychosocial nursing and mental health services, 58(12), 2–4.
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