Describe an example of ethical drift that you have witnessed in your nursing

Post a total of 3 substantive responses over 2 separate days for full participation. This includes your initial post and 2 replies to classmates or your faculty member. Substantive responses offer new info and add to the conversation. *Responses are substantive by incorporating literature to support statements. Use one literature resource for your weekly response and in both of your replies to a classmate or faculty. You can use the same source of literature each time or different sources. Check rubric for more details.

Due Thursday

Read the section on “ethical drift” in Chapter 47 in Essentials of Nursing Law and Ethics.

Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words:

Describe an example of ethical drift that you have witnessed in your nursing practice. How was the situation addressed? Or was it?
After taking this course, what will you do if and/or when you encounter an ethical drift in the future?
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One example of ethical drift that has been widely documented in the nursing literature is the pressure to prioritize productivity over patient care. For example, in some cases, nurses may be asked to discharge patients before they are fully ready or to cut corners on their assessments or documentation in order to keep up with their workload.

This type of ethical drift can have serious consequences for patients, including harm to their health and well-being, as well as legal and ethical implications for the nurse. To address ethical drift, it is important for nurses to understand and prioritize their ethical responsibilities and to advocate for their patients’ rights and well-being, even in the face of pressure to prioritize productivity.

If and when I encounter an ethical drift in the future, I will prioritize the patient’s well-being by advocating for their rights and needs, even in the face of pressure to prioritize productivity. I will also seek out resources and support to help me navigate the situation and to ensure that I am acting in accordance with ethical principles. I may seek guidance from my colleagues, my manager, or an ethics committee, or I may consult relevant ethical codes and standards of practice.

Reference:
Tong, R. K. (2020). Essentials of Nursing Law and Ethics. Jones & Bartlett Learning.