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LaDonna D. Henderson
1
ESSENTIAL VIII 2
Professional Values. Since the days of Florence Nightingale, nurses have chosen this profession
from an innate desire to help others. When asked to identify their core values (nurses) are
surprisingly consistent throughout the profession globally. They include honesty, responsibility,
pursuit of knowledge, belief in human dignity, equality of all patients and the desire to prevent
and alleviate suffering. (Gokenbach, 2012). These values are what define the profession of
nursing.
Exemplar
To illustrate Essential VIII, I chose the Hot Topic paper written for my class on Ethics in
Contemporary Nursing. Essential VIII recognizes that Professional values and their associated
understanding of the historical, legal, and contemporary context of nursing practice. (American
Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2008, p. 26). The requirements of the Hot Topic assignment
were to choose a contemporary issue and present the associated legal precedents and ethical
viewpoints, as well as provide a position statement from my own personal ethical viewpoint.
Knowing my own values is necessary in order to take responsibility for establishing an ethical
Reflection
with complex ethical pressures(that) influence their day-to-day practice and patient care
nurses to be prepared for the numerous dilemmas that will arise in practice and (be) able to
make and assist others in making decisions within a professional ethical framework. (American
Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2008, p. 27). As my topic for this assignment, I chose the
controversial issue of human embryonic stem cell research. Ultimately, this research forces a
choice between two moral principles: The duty to prevent or alleviate suffering and the duty to
respect the value of human life. (Hug, 2015). As a nurse, my professional practice encompasses
both these duties, however, it is difficult to respect both principles simultaneously because in
order to obtain human embryonic stem cells, the embryo is destroyed. This moral dilemma is
weighed against the fact that embryonic stems cells research could lead to cures for diseases that
currently cause much suffering. Nursing ethics is an integral part of nursing practice and has
always involved respect and advocacy for the right and needs of patients regardless of setting.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Washington, & Dc. (2008). The essentials of
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education-resources/BaccEssentials08.pdf
nursingknowledge.org/products/Code-of-Ethics-An-Overview
Gokenbach, V. (2012, October 3). What does professionalism in nursing really mean? Retrieved
from http://www.nursetogether.com/professionalism-in-nursing-what-does-it-re
Hug, K. (2015, November 5). Embryonic stem cell research: An ethical dilemma. Retrieved from
http://www.eurostemcell.org/factsheet/embyronic-stem-cell-research-ethical-dilemma