Critical Reflection Report: Nursing Ethics and Clinical Judgement

This report is a critical reflection on the College of Nurses of Ontario's (CNO) Practice Standard on Ethics. The report begins by discussing the importance of ethical frameworks in nursing, emphasizing the CNO's role in guiding ethical conduct. It highlights key ethical values such as fairness, truthfulness, respect for life, client's choice & well-being, and maintaining privacy and confidentiality. The report also examines the role of ethical values in promoting client well-being and maintaining professional commitments. The reflection emphasizes the importance of self-reflection in addressing ethical dilemmas in clinical settings. The report further discusses how the CNO's ethical framework can help nurses identify and resolve ethical situations. The assignment is based on the Tanner’s (2006) Clinical Judgment Model approach.

Running head: CRITICAL REFLECTION
Critical Reflection
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

CRITICAL REFLECTION
According to the College of Nurses of Ontario’s (CNO) Practice Standard guide on
Ethics (2019), nursing standards are critical indicators of measures for public protection
undertaken and held accountable by the nurses. In a nurse-client therapeutic relationship, one
of the most vital components is the consideration of ethical issues. With the increasing
uncertainty and distress in nursing everyday practice, a significant increase in the incidence
of ethical conflicts can be observed, which can be addressed by a proper ethical framework.
According to CNO, the identified ethical values that are regarded as most vital in
nursing care are fairness, truthfulness, respect for life, client’s choice & well-being, and
maintaining privacy and confidentiality. Promoting client’s well-being requires the
facilitation of the client’s welfare and health to prevent and remove potential harms.
Moreover, the CNO guide to ethical practice in nursing care requires the nurses to
maintain commitments which they assumed while taking the role of regulated health
professional. These commitments include fulfilling the explicit and implicit obligations
towards the clients and being honest to them as well as to oneself and other health care
professionals. To deal with complex ethical situations, it is important to precisely identify the
root cause of the ethical situation and act upon it.
It can be concluded that CNO’s ethical framework is a critical guide to help nurses
identify and resolve ethical situations. The guide also highlights the importance of self-
reflection in improving the ability of nursing professionals to resolve ethical dilemmas in
clinical practice settings.

CRITICAL REFLECTION
References
Cno.org. (2019). Practice Standard Ethics - CNO Cno.org. Retrieved 26 February 2020, from
https://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/prac/41034_ethics.pdf