Addressing a Moral Dilemma
There continues to be more than enough evidence that nurses do not always feel they can do the right thing in their everyday practice. In some instances, this may be because they lack virtues – such as moral courage, wisdom, and integrity – which are required to speak up and bring about change. In other instances, however, when organizational cultures are defensive, unsupportive, and potentially punishing, the virtue of courage may not be adequate to change a situation.
Emily is your co-worker for 5 years at the facility you are working. You noticed several times the smell of alcohol on her breath. There are also rumors among staff that she comes to work under the influence of alcohol. No one has the courage to confront this problem in the past.
After arriving at work today, you noticed that Emily was covertly drinking from a dark-colored flask in her locker at the nurse’s lounge. What would you do?
Discussion Questions:
Share your thoughts on this dilemma.
Which ethical principles are involved? Justice, beneficence, nonmaleficence, accountability, fidelity, autonomy, and veracity. Choose two to discuss.
What strategies should be considered to address this problem? The MORAL strategy is an example of decision-making or the nursing process is another one.
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