What factors play a role in ethical decision-making in nursing?

Personal values are fundamental to ethical decision-making in nursing because they guide nurses in evaluating situations, making choices, and understanding how their beliefs and experiences shape their interactions with patients and colleagues. Nurses often face complex and challenging situations where they must balance their personal ethics with professional responsibilities and patient needs. By grounding their decisions in their personal values, nurses can provide care that aligns with both ethical standards and compassionate patient-centered practices.

In contrast, while other factors might impact the overall healthcare environment, they do not directly influence the ethical decision-making process in the same way. For example, a patient's financial status may play a role in the practicality of care options but does not inherently affect the ethical considerations of a nurse's practice. Hospital decor and staff meeting frequency, although important for creating a conducive work environment, are not core factors that shape ethical decision-making at the level of patient care. These considerations may impact operational aspects of care but do not directly affect the moral reasoning and ethical framework a nurse must apply when making decisions about patient care.