Application of Ethical Decision-Making to Nursing Practice

Front Cover
Springer Publishing Company, Jul 28, 2016 - Medical - 250 pages

Designed specifically for the educational needs of RN to BSN students

This is a unique, innovative professional nursing ethics textbook designed specifically for the educational needs of RN to BSN students. Written by experts in the field, it discusses ethical concepts geared to the licensed nurse who has spent several years in practice but is learning high-level concepts and applications. The text addresses different areas of professional practice and is rich with case studies illustrating clinical scenarios involving ethical awareness and decision-making. The book fulfills the necessary criteria for the AACN Essentials for Baccalaureate Education and the QSEN and ISOM competencies.

Clear and concise, the text relates content to the nurse’s current practice and professional development without extraneous information typically included in other texts. Progressing from simple to complex, chapters build on previous practice experience to focus on ethical decision-making in a variety of practice environments. The book incorporates a “four boxes” decision-making model and addresses essential communication skills, how to recognize and resolve moral distress, and the role of an ethics committee. It discusses common ethical issues likely to be encountered and ethical practice as it relates to quality and safety. Case Study Dilemmas that include evidence-based research provide the opportunity to apply ethical decision-making principles. QSEN application principles are also featured in each chapter, and interactive exercises and questions and PowerPoints provide further opportunity for critical thinking.

Key Features:

  • Addresses the specific needs of students in the RN to BSN course

  • Fulfills AACN Essentials, IOM Competencies, and QSEN KSAs

  • Builds upon previous practice experience of RN to BSN students

  • Discusses ethical decision-making in a variety of practice environments

  • Includes Case Study Dilemmas to apply ethical decision-making principles

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About the author (2016)

Catherine M. Robichaux, PhD, RN, CCRN, CNS, is Associate Professor of Nursing, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, and also serves as Faculty Mentor and Consultant to the Nursing Ethics Council, University Health System. She has taught numerous courses on Ethics and Critical Care during the course of her career. Her research and teaching interests are focused on ethical decision-making, particularly as it relates to end-of-life care in a critical care environment. Dr. Robichaux is the author of numerous published articles, book chapters, research grants, and presentations on ethics and end of life issues as well as bullying, patient safety, moral distress, and ethical climate in health care units. She currently serves on the ANA Steering Committee to revise the Code of Ethics, and was recently appointed to the ANA Ethics Advisory Board, 2014-2018. She is the recipient of the AACN Circle of Excellence Award for her work with nurses on ethical issues at University Health Systems.

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