Problems Associated with Using Nursing Codes of Ethics

Problems Associated with Using Nursing Codes of Ethics

Dominant codes are characterized by several weaknesses that necessitate continuous improvement and consideration of additional factors in decision-making. As Mallari and Tariman (2016) note, the International Code of Ethics cannot possibly be representative of cultural and societal diversity of various countries, which is to be taken into consideration when deciding in a particular country. Moreover, since medical science in nursing are developing rapidly, a nursing ethical code should consider issues arising from technological changes and the advancement scientific knowledge. Thus, nursing organizations are to develop official stances and application guidelines that address ethical perplexities in care practices and research.

Culturally Competent Nursing Care

Some problems emerge in relation to the differentiation between international and national codes, when it comes to the treatment of patients. Generally, as the world is becoming a more and more globalized place, it is interesting to look at the issue of so-called transcultural nursing. Im and Lee (2018) state that it is a phenomenon that is nowadays deemed a significant component of nursing practices and research. Essentially, it is a “specialty created to answer the need for developing a global perspective in the practice of nursing in a world of interdependent nations and people” (Im and Lee, 2018, p.164). Throughout years, various concepts in this field have been proposed and used, such as cultural knowledge, brokerage, sensitivity, and competence. Im and Lee (2018) suggest that continuous efforts are needed to keep developing the theoretical works covering transcultural nursing.

Evolution of the Profession and Nursing Skills

For all intents and purposes, the profession of a nurse has indeed evolved in many aspects. Garcia-Castillo (2016) notes that not only its scope has been enlarged, but also its importance. The profession not only focuses on the simple exercise of technical skills, but also on being actively involved in solving complicated problems that inevitably arise. A wide range of practices that are not limited to hospitals but extend to community facilities is covered, and the roles that a nurse plays are different but global in their essence.