NSD104: Leading and Learning - Ethical Dilemma Report

This report analyzes a scenario involving a healthcare student, Sarah, who witnesses a buddy RN administering the wrong medication to a patient. The report explores the significance of the story, focusing on the student's personal values, assumptions, and beliefs about patient care and ethical responsibilities. It highlights the issues raised for the student's professional development, particularly the ethical dilemma of speaking out against a superior. The report further discusses how the student's preferred leadership and learning styles—situational and transformational—would influence her response in a similar clinical situation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing patient safety and taking decisive action to prevent potential harm. The assignment also touches upon the need to uphold professional oaths and advocate for change within healthcare practices.

Running head: LEADING AND LEARNING
Leading and Learning
Name of Student:
Name of University:
Author’s Note:

2LEADING AND LEARNING
Why you identify with that story as significant – personal values, assumptions, and beliefs
I think that this story is significant because being a health professional the prime
objective must be to take care of the patients. Saving the lives of the patients must be the first
priority. This was also a case of the ethical dilemma that Sarah was going through. Being a
fresher in this profession she was under the supervision of a buddy RN and complaining against
her would surely be threatening for her career as well. So, she had to do something regarding the
injustice that she saw in front of her eyes. Her buddy RN gave one of the patients’ wrong
medicine and asked Sarah to stay silent. However, Sarah could not do this as it went against her
assumptions and principles. So, she made up her mind that she had to take some actions.
The issues raised for you and your professional development as a student healthcare
professional
This scenario talks about one of the most important issue that can be prevalent in the
modern day health care industry. The issue is that of ethical dilemma. Being a beginner I might
come across many issues like this. It is a fact that I will be placed under a supervisor or a buddy
who will be helping me to understand and do my tasks. However there can be some mistakes
done by the Buddy as well. I must not stay silent only for the sake of my own career. I have to
remember the oaths that I took while getting my degree. I cannot let a patient suffer like this and
stay silent about the fact.
How your preferred leading and learning style might influence your response if faced with
a similar situation in clinical practice
My leading style is always of a situational leadership and that of a transformational
leadership style. I know how to act as per the demand of the situation. If this situation is faced by

3LEADING AND LEARNING
me then I will make sure that I am accepting this fact and taking immediate actions. I will
initially be shocked but I will keep in mind that I have to save the patient. I will not stay silent
about this wrong deed because if no voice is raised against it will be continued. I have to bring a
change by stopping these careless acts. My learning style has taught me that the prime duty of a
health care professional is to assist and save the life of a patient. So, I will not accept this
careless act of any of my colleague that can prove hazardous to the patients.