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The pharmacists advise you that, because they have worked together for so long, they do not feel the need to verify one another’s work. Policies, however, clearly require a second check. Would this be considered a violation of policies and procedures? Is respect for a just culture reasonable in this situation? How will you balance the need to ensure compliance with policies and procedures while acknowledging the transparency demonstrated by the pharmacists?
The pharmacists advise you that, because they have worked together for so long, they do not feel the need to verify one another’s work. Policies, however, clearly require a second check. Would this be considered a violation of policies and procedures? Is respect for a just culture reasonable in this situation? How will you balance the need to ensure compliance with policies and procedures while acknowledging the transparency demonstrated by the pharmacists?
An ethical dilemma is a complex situation in which ethical principles or values are in conflict. When faced with an ethical dilemma, it is not always clear what is right and what is wrong. Ethical dilemmas require us to use ethical decision making, which means we must decide the best course of action even when there is not one clear, right, or ethical choice.
Remember Lena’s ethical dilemma when she was deciding between a new car or spending time with family? Another classic example of an ethical dilemma is the “Trolley Problem.” Check it out!
Trolley Problem video
Now, think about a time when you had to make a decision for which there was no clear, right answer.
Briefly describe the situation and why you think there was no clear, right answer.
Explain what your decision was and why you went with that decision.
Explain the statement, “What may be an ethical dilemma for one registered nurse may not be an ethical dilemma for another registered nurse.” Be sure to define an ethical dilemma in the course of your discussion. Describe a challenging situation in your nursing career that required you to consider the ethical dimensions of the patient case and the role you played in providing care. (Be sure to respect and maintain patient and colleague confidentiality.)