Running head: ESSENTIAL VIII 1

e-Folio Submission - Essential VIII: Professionalism and Professional Values

LaDonna D. Henderson

Frostburg State University

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ESSENTIAL VIII 2

e-Folio - Essential VIII: Professionalism and Professional Values

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essential VIII of The Essentials

of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (2008) is Professional and

Professional Values. Since the days of Florence Nightingale, nurses have chosen this profession

from an innate desire to help others. When asked to identify their core values (nurses) are

surprisingly consistent throughout the profession globally. They include honesty, responsibility,

pursuit of knowledge, belief in human dignity, equality of all patients and the desire to prevent

and alleviate suffering. (Gokenbach, 2012). These values are what define the profession of

nursing.

Exemplar

To illustrate Essential VIII, I chose the Hot Topic paper written for my class on Ethics in

Contemporary Nursing. Essential VIII recognizes that Professional values and their associated

behaviors are foundational to the practice of nursing. Inherent in professional practice is an

understanding of the historical, legal, and contemporary context of nursing practice. (American

Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2008, p. 26). The requirements of the Hot Topic assignment

were to choose a contemporary issue and present the associated legal precedents and ethical

viewpoints, as well as provide a position statement from my own personal ethical viewpoint.

Knowing my own values is necessary in order to take responsibility for establishing an ethical

nursing practice and providing the most effective nursing care.

Reflection

As recognized by the American Association of Nurses, nursing professionals are faced

with complex ethical pressures(that) influence their day-to-day practice and patient care

outcomes. (Code of Ethics: An Overview, 2015). It is necessary for baccalaureate-prepared

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nurses to be prepared for the numerous dilemmas that will arise in practice and (be) able to

make and assist others in making decisions within a professional ethical framework. (American

Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2008, p. 27). As my topic for this assignment, I chose the

controversial issue of human embryonic stem cell research. Ultimately, this research forces a

choice between two moral principles: The duty to prevent or alleviate suffering and the duty to

respect the value of human life. (Hug, 2015). As a nurse, my professional practice encompasses

both these duties, however, it is difficult to respect both principles simultaneously because in

order to obtain human embryonic stem cells, the embryo is destroyed. This moral dilemma is

weighed against the fact that embryonic stems cells research could lead to cures for diseases that

currently cause much suffering. Nursing ethics is an integral part of nursing practice and has

always involved respect and advocacy for the right and needs of patients regardless of setting.

(American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2008, p. 27).

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References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Washington, & Dc. (2008). The essentials of

baccalaureate education for professional nursing practice. Retrieved from

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education-resources/BaccEssentials08.pdf

Code of Ethics: An Overview. (2015). Retrieved from https://learn.ana-

nursingknowledge.org/products/Code-of-Ethics-An-Overview

Gokenbach, V. (2012, October 3). What does professionalism in nursing really mean? Retrieved

from http://www.nursetogether.com/professionalism-in-nursing-what-does-it-re

Hug, K. (2015, November 5). Embryonic stem cell research: An ethical dilemma. Retrieved from

http://www.eurostemcell.org/factsheet/embyronic-stem-cell-research-ethical-dilemma