Introduction

Working as a nurse requires me to support and protect all patients visiting our health facilities. However, quite often we find ourselves in ethically questionable situations that conflict with our personal and professional morals.  Personal beliefs are a critical aspect that results in an ethical dilemma, especially where patient’s demands are against my own beliefs. For instance, I experienced a situation where I had to assist a patient procuring abortion services which are against my personal religious beliefs (‘Advanced Practice Nursing: Constraints to Role Fulfillment’, 2007).  As a nurse, I am supposed to save life and assist in the provision of high-quality services. Such a situation is a very difficult one and requires critical decision-making process.

Ethical dilemma

Ethical dilemmas in the nursing field occur on a daily basis, and nurses must make appropriate decisions to handle such situations. The decision making in such instances is affected by several factors such as personal beliefs, experiences, ethical codes, HIPPA and principles learned in school. Having worked in a hospital where abortions rarely happen, it was very difficult to handle a situation where I was supposed to prepare an abortion patient, assist in surgery and provide aftercare (Buppert, 2008).  My conscience feels that abortion is always wrong, and I should not be involved in such heinous act. Although I am sympathetic with the woman who is suffering, I can help feeling for the baby too, and this convince me further that aborting is wrong.

It is imperative to ensure that patient’s rights, as well as my personal beliefs, are not compromised. I love working as a nurse, and I take it upon myself to protecting the lives of patients. But is the unborn baby still a valuable life? I think procuring an abortion means killing a life that I have the prerogative to save. The suffering woman is also a useful life and by refusing to assist in the abortion process will also be fatal. It is, therefore, paramount that I make a right decision that will help protect the patient’s interests and safeguard my personal beliefs.

Dealing with the dilemma

In this case, I have to ensure that I fulfill by role of saving life. It is prudent understanding that the decisions made will have different impacts to patient, the nurse and the institution.  Nevertheless, I will ensure that my decision is in agreement with HIPPA provisions that guarantee patients rights to equal treatment and privacy. Although my conscience still believes abortion is wrong, I have to act in a professional way. It is morally permissible to assist in abortion practice especially when a woman’s life is in danger. The circumstances at hand will be instrumental to the decisions made. The principles learnt in school do not allow me to let a patient suffer in my hands. After saving life of a woman against my conscience, I will repent my sins and move on.

As a nurse, I believe that patients deserve the very best and efficient nursing care available. It is also possible to respect patient’s rights without violating religious beliefs and ethical beliefs so long as proper steps are appropriately taken. It is my obligation to ensure that my support to patients is as professional as possible until I hand over such responsibility to another nurse (Buppert, 2008). Nevertheless, I would also get involved in such healthcare service in cases of emergency, and there is no immediate alternative to that problem. Although ethical dilemmas will always be part of our work, I firmly believe that there is always a right way to make decisions when faced with such  dilemmas.

References

Advanced Practice Nursing: Constraints to Role Fulfillment. (2007). IJANP, 9(1). doi:10.5580/187

Buppert, C. (2008). Nurse practitioner’s business practice and legal guide. Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett.

Joel, L.A., (2013) Advanced practice nursing: Essential for role development. (3rd Ed.). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis

 
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