Explain the importance of ethics and etiquette in relation to the practice of

nursing.

Ethics is a moral conscious awareness based upon personal beliefs, and Etiquette is a socially
accepted method of performing a task or carrying out a duty. Using the wrong spoon in a
restaurant is not morally wrong but in some places can be seen as having poor social standing. It
simply does not prescribe to an accepted method of eating. Etiquette is generally different by
culture, though ethics is affected very little by culture, we all know it is wrong to kill, steal or
hurt people. Ethics and Etiquette play a very important role in the practice of nursing and is a
must if someone requires becoming a great nurse.
The general objective of nursing ethics is to create and maintain trust between patient and nurses;
trust among fellow nurses and public confidence in the profession of nursing. The major
principles of health care ethics that must be upheld in all institutions are beneficence,
nonmaleficence, autonomy and justice. Beneficence means promoting or doing good. Nurses
work to promote their clients' best interests and strive to achieve optimal outcomes.
Nonmaleficence means avoiding harm. Nurses must maintain a competent practice level to avoid
causing injury or suffering to clients. The principle of nonmaleficence also covers reporting
suspected abuse to prevent further victimization and protecting clients from chemically impaired
nurses and other healthcare practitioners. Autonomy stands for independence and the ability to be
self-directed. Clients have the right of self-determination and are entitled to decide what happens
to them; therefore, competent adults have the capacity to consent to or refuse treatment. Nurses
must respect the client's wishes, even if they don't agree with them. Finally, justice requires that
all clients be treated equally and fairly. Nurses face issues of justice daily when organizing care
for their clients and deciding how much time they will spend with each based on client needs and
a fair distribution of resources.
Nurses need to distinguish between their personal values and their professional ethics. Personal
values are what nurses hold significant and true for themselves, while professional ethics involve
principles that have universal applications and standards of conduct that must be upheld in all
situations. Nurses thus avoid allowing personal judgments to bias client care. They are honest
and fair with clients, and they act in the best interest of and show respect for them.
Since nurses address complex ethical and human rights issues on a regular basis, a Code of
Ethics was initiated for nurses. Nurses are held responsible to comply with the standards of
ethical practice and to ensure that other nurses also comply. The code was revised in 2001 to
include issues of advancing nursing science and is based on the opinions and experience of a
wide range of nurses. The general objective of the nursing code of ethics is to create and
maintain client trust, trust among fellow nurses and public confidence in the profession of
nursing.

In the nursing profession today, there are many forms of etiquette that are valuable and essential.
A professional demeanor with kindness and compassion are extremely important in this field, as
this is a job with caring and skill wrapped all into one important role. More than other careers,
nursing is defined by the professional relationships the nurse builds among various people in
different settings. A nurse needs good communication skills to use with colleagues, patients and
families, and should practice good etiquette at all times. Some professional etiquette tips that can
polish your communication skills and strengthen you relationships with patients, families, and
colleagues are: The way you introduce yourself, having a confident handshake, keeping
conversations on track, watching your body language, cultivating a positive work environment,
dressing for success, presenting your business card with the content face up and readable to the
subject, standing up during a phone interview will make your voice sound more confident and
dynamic, presenting a positive professional image and planning for success.
Nursing ethics and etiquette in the 21st century will continue to be concerned with describing
and communicating the characteristics of the good nurse. Nursing ethics and etiquette in the
21st century must be concerned with defining and describing nurses, raising questions about
what such practice requires, and the issues that nurses confront in their advocacy roles with
patients. The good nurse of the 21st century will be a composite ideal derived from new
conceptualizations of nursing practice and nurses, and shaped by empirical evidence about the
ethical reality of nurses practices.

Works Cited
www.education.com
www.nursingworld.org
www.nursingcenter.com
www.nursezone.com
www.kathleenpagana.com

DEPARTMENT OF
INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

College of Science, Technology & Applied Arts of Trinidad & Tobago

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT COVER PAGE

ASSIGNMENT TITLE:

Ethics and Etiquette in nursing

practice

COURSE CODE:

NURS 150

Introduction to Nursing

COURSE TITLE:

CRN:

25967

SEMESTER:2

2013

STUDENT NAME:

ARETHA LYNETTE HECTOR

STUDENT ID:

00052760

PROGRAMME:

DATE OF SUBMISSION:

BSC GENERAL NURSING

18th February, 2013

LECTURERS NAME:

Mrs. Whiskey (11-2pm)