Ethics in Nursing: The Development of an Educational Model for Practice.

This thesis presents an ethical model to guide the nurse in the application of moral standards or principles in the clinical and community setting. The study is concerned with looking at ethics primarily in terms of patients'/events' rights, not ethics in general. The contribution of contemporary nurse theorists and philosophers in the international arena are considered to see how their contributions relate to the present and future developments and trends in the field of nursing, and how they may be translated into action in the daily care of patients/clients in the clinical and community setting. The research methods include an historical review of local, national and international nurse educational, philosophical and ethical literature. The central theme investigates the caring roles of nurses and the commitment to patient/client care which are the basis of the ethical perspective of nursing. The ethical principles inherent in the nursing discipline, such as patients'/clients' rights and autonomy are examined, to see how these principles may be applied at the bedside and in the community. Validation criteria are adapted and this validation tool, together with the ethical constructs/components, are used as a framework to ensure that an ethical perspective is included and utilised in all nursing models. As ethics is concerned with human conduct and relationships, the author concludes that an ethical model is vital and may be used with all models which guide nursing practice currently in use and in future developments. An Ethical Analysis Framework and Model has been developed by the author, to serve as a tool for the inclusion of ethical constructs/components in models which guide the practice of nursing in the clinical and community setting. It also aids in the application of ethical principles. The Ethical Analysis Model will hopefully contribute to the theoretical framework of curriculum development as curriculum is concerned with shaping attitudes towards knowledge and creating a forum for discussion and criticism. Ethical knowledge is part of that subject matter. Through deliberation and judgement the definition and solution of curriculum and ethical problems may be effected as curriculum development, like ethics, is concerned with what is, and what might be. An example is presented of how the Framework and Model can be used, and is strongly recommended for use with any model which guides the practice of nursing. The findings, their limitations and the relevant discussions and recommendations are highlighted, and areas for further research are identified