Moral Courage in Healthcare, Article Review Example

This article submits to the dilemma faced daily by nurses in their practice. It encompasses conflicting decisions, which are against nursing values, but consistent with those of other parts of the health care system. They do not only produce an ethical dilemma to the nursing profession or nurse involved, but brings emotional stress as well. According to the article Emily took courage in reporting a misconduct, which could have led to her professional career being destroyed(Murray, 2010). However, while she was severely victimized, it was ethically correct because undermining the system in such a way meant reduction in quality of patient care. Ultimately, the patient suffers because they did not receive the quality care promised or for which they paid.

Emily’s courage is remarkable. According to the writer referencing Plato’s definition of courage it embraces the caliber of one which is willing to take the risk of speaking up irrespective of the consequences. Emily could have rescinded after the first attempt at whistle blowing was met with resistance. The article continues to explain that courage is a natural response to physical danger (Murray, 2010). In trying to interpret Emily’s motive for responding to this danger could it be that she recognized that one day she could be a patient having to be nursed by one on these nurses who are under qualified to function in their positions. More importantly, it could be a family member.

It is a frightening thought that motivates one to moral action. In the nursing profession today with so many medical errors credential agencies ought to devise systems to identify these irregularities in training programs. If found guilty stern measures’ must be taken to correct them.

References

Murray, J. (2010) Moral Courage in Healthcare: Acting Ethically Even in the Presence of Risk OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol. 15, No. 3, Manuscript 2.