Instructions:
Every week after the initial assignment, I have to post reply post to the classmates, I have already submitted the initial post, kindly reply to her post with following instructions After your initial post, you will be able to read other students’ posts. Post two replies, one of which needs to be at least 100+ words. Students must post their initial post before seeing what others have written. What ethical conflicts may arise if the actions identified by your peer are carried out?
Classmate Post:
Implementing APN Leadership Strategies
The levels of nursing’s ethical leadership are divided into three levels including micro, meso, and macro (Grace, 2017). The role that nurses play in utilization of these levels varies based on the situation. When an APRN is advocating for parents who request to end the life of a suffering infant, their leadership skills must be used to impact institutions and or political systems. At the micro-level, this includes education for the parents and for the staff that will be caring for the family. This ensures that family’s desires are well-known, and that patient-centered care is provided.
It also includes reviewing current facility policies as this ensures that the services provided are permissible at the facility as some facilities may not agree with infant euthanization; therefore, would not provide the legal service. At the meso-level, this includes outreach to local organizations that may assist the family in various ways including resources such as therapy or meals.
This also includes interdisciplinary collaboration with the patient’s entire care team. This ensures that all the patient’s providers are included and aware of the family’s wishes. Lastly, this includes education at the community level. At the macro-level, this includes the nurse’s participation in national organizations that work to advocate for patient’s rights. This includes lobbying at the state and national level.
When implementing strategies to manage or prevent the ethical conflict, many factors interfere. Euthanasia for adults requires that the person explicitly consent; however, infants are unable to consent, and some research shows that laws are often ignored, placing people at risks without adequate safeguards (Pereira, 2011). Others argue that euthanasia should not be limited by age as some children experience unescapable pain (Brouwer et al., 2018). Furthermore, personal or community backlash or conflict may occur due to religious or personal beliefs as providers or staff may not feel comfortable supporting infant euthanization. There may be conflicts within the facility about if the action meets their mission statement.
There may be laws that prevent this type of care from being provided within the state. This ethical confusion has led to nurses to moral distress which is countered through open communication, education, and tools to develop a moral community with a safe atmosphere for expressing perspectives (Owen, 2018).
If you had an infant in this situation, how would you react? Have you provided care for a patient who elected physician-assisted suicide?
