ASSESSMENT DETAILS 

Students will present on a key ethical dilemma they have experienced in practice and use appropriate resolutions using the NMBA standards.  

This individual presentation assessment task is based on a patient clinical scenario. Students need to draw upon knowledge gained through workshops, clinical labs, simulations and your own self-directed learning through your pre/post learning resources during the initial three (3) weeks of the unit as well clinical experience.

You need to use a different dilemma from Assessment 3 and this must be a patient clinical scenario.

Link to the Nursing Standards, Code of Conduct, Patient Safety Framework, ICN Code of Ethics (these resources are available in the Assessment 5 instructions).

You may choose to cover the following points in your PPP however remember that you should do your best to elaborate on each slide.  You do not have to follow this format; you may chose to discuss your dilemma in a different way.  These questions are a guide only. Do not to write everything in the PPP, discuss in more depth to make the presentation more interesting:

•Introduce your scenario

•Identify the ethical dilemma you were faced with and explain why this is an ethical dilemma

•What challenged you throughout this dilemma

•What was the resolution or outcome of this dilemma? Was this the best outcome?  If not, what would have been a better outcome?

•Could there have been someone assist you, or did you have someone assist in resolving this dilemma?

•Were there any guidelines or policies/procedures that may have helped or that you utilised?

ANSWER

Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing Practice: A Patient-Centered Approach

Introduction

Ethical dilemmas are an integral part of nursing practice, often requiring healthcare professionals to navigate complex situations where values, principles, and patient well-being intersect. In this presentation, I will share a patient clinical scenario that presents a significant ethical dilemma I encountered in practice. Drawing upon the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) standards, the Code of Conduct, Patient Safety Framework, and the ICN Code of Ethics, I will discuss the ethical dilemma, the challenges I faced, the resolution, and the role of guidelines and policies.

Scenario Introduction

To set the context, I will introduce the patient clinical scenario that serves as the backdrop for the ethical dilemma. This will include pertinent details about the patient, the healthcare setting, and the circumstances that led to the ethical conflict.

Identification of the Ethical Dilemma

I will identify and elaborate on the ethical dilemma I faced in the scenario. I will explain why the situation presented a challenge to my ethical decision-making and how conflicting values or principles were at play. This will highlight the complexity of ethical dilemmas in nursing practice.

Challenges Faced

Ethical dilemmas often evoke personal and emotional challenges for healthcare professionals. I will discuss the specific challenges I encountered during the dilemma. This may include emotional distress, conflicting obligations, and the ethical tension between patient autonomy and beneficence.

Resolution and Outcome

I will describe the steps I took to resolve the ethical dilemma and the resulting outcome. I will critically reflect on whether the chosen resolution was the best possible option and whether patient well-being was effectively prioritized. If the outcome could have been improved, I will offer suggestions for alternative actions.

Collaboration and Support

Ethical dilemmas often necessitate collaboration and support from colleagues, mentors, or superiors. I will discuss whether I sought assistance or guidance from others during the dilemma and the role they played in resolving it. This will underscore the importance of teamwork in ethical decision-making.

Utilization of Guidelines and Policies

Ethical decision-making is guided by professional standards and institutional policies. I will highlight any guidelines, policies, or procedures that I considered or followed in navigating the ethical dilemma. This will emphasize the role of established frameworks in supporting ethical choices.

Conclusion

Ethical dilemmas provide opportunities for growth, reflection, and improvement in nursing practice. By sharing my experience in this presentation, I aim to showcase the complexities of ethical decision-making while demonstrating the significance of adhering to standards, guidelines, and collaborative approaches to ensure optimal patient care and ethical integrity.