The arriving registered nurse should calmly and objectively remind the exiting nurse of the five ethical principles that govern how they perform their duties and treat patients. The incoming nurse can also advise the nurse that, while she may have personal convictions, her job requires her to be professional and avoid getting personal. The principle of beneficence, for example, compels a nurse to do good to all patients, regardless of their attitude or feelings (Bartlett, Brown, Shattell, Wright & Lewallen, 2013). At this time, the patients severely need the nurse's assistance, and she must always come in and help. The principle of no maleficence expects the nurse not to harm the patients (Bartlett,et al., 2013). From the outgoing nurse’s words, it is apparent that she is not passionate about helping the patients that seem to have caused their turmoil but the registered nurse should remind her that it is her duty to avoid harming the patient. Moreover, the nurses can be sued if she failed to take care of the patient and possibly caused death which could even cost her the job (Hinkle & Cheever, 2014).
Role of an RN in Addressing Value System
A registered nurse ought to conduct herself with decorum and in a way that communicates that she understands the ethical principles that govern the career (Hinkle & Cheever, 2014). It is important for a nurse to regularly offer to counsel to other health care workers and also reinforce their job description. A registered nurse ought to also provide continuing education to the health workers and regularly evaluate whether they have been deployed in the right fit (Hinkle & Cheever, 2014). A bad attitude sometimes can result from the health worker’s discontentment from their work hence the placement should be a right fit. Lastly, it is important to reinforce the legal implications of any nurse’s actions to ensure that the health workers are always accountable for their actions.
References
Bartlett, R., Brown, L., Shattell, M., Wright, T., & Lewallen, L. (2013). Harm reduction: Compassionate care of persons with addictions. Medsurg nursing: official journal of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, 22(6), 349.
Hinkle, J. L., & Cheever, K. H. (2014). Brunner & Suddarth's textbook of medical-surgical nursing (13th ediction). Philadelphia, PA : Wolters Kluwer Health.
