Ethics in Nursing: Theory to Practice

Abstract

Implicit in the Code of Ethics for Nursing (Canadian Nurses Association, 1983) and in the International Council of Nurses Code for Nurses emphasis on "respect for life, dignity and the rights of man" (Canadian Nurses Association, 1980), is the idea that there is a bond between nursing and society. This bond serves to encourage a relationship of trust and confidence between society and the nurse; moreover, within the profession, it serves as a statement of role morality (Curtin & Flaherty, 1982). While the ethical codes supply the profession with rules, these rules should be understood in the context of underlying ethical theories and principles. This paper deals with the relationship between two ethical theories and nursing practice. The discussion will be focused around a specific hypothetical example. Normative Ethical Theories Two ethical theories that are pertinent to nursing require elaboration. They are the teleological theory originated by Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873), and the deontological theory originally propounded by Immanuel Kant (1724-1804). Reinforcing each theory are principles of ethics, and it is to these principles that nurses must appeal when considering and justifying nursing action.