What is nursing ethics concerned with?

Nursing ethics is primarily concerned with individual ethical principles that guide decision-making in nursing practice. It focuses on the moral values and standards that govern how nurses interact with patients and make clinical decisions. These principles often include respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, which help nurses navigate complex situations that arise in patient care. By adhering to these ethical principles, nurses ensure they are providing compassionate and equitable care while upholding the dignity and rights of their patients.

The other aspects, such as guidelines for patient care or protocols for nurse management, while important, are practical applications of ethical principles rather than the principles themselves. Legal implications pertain more to the regulatory framework within which nurses operate, but nursing ethics delves deeper into the moral implications of those actions and decisions rather than strictly adhering to laws or guidelines. Thus, focusing on ethical principles provides the foundation for ethical nursing practice and decision-making.