Jobs for Registered Nurses

When you have the title “Nurse Ethicist” on your name badge, people tend to tell you stories about ethical challenges. A common theme in the stories is some injustice or perception of unfairness, either seen or experienced by the story teller. When people feel they are facing ethically challenging situations, emotions typically run high and a person’s ethical fitness is put to the test.
 
Think of ethical fitness as a skill like BLS, ACLS, PALS, or NRP. It needs to be practiced, so it becomes automatic when a critical situation arises. Effective communication is the essential skill needed to demonstrate ethical fitness. Effective communication depends heavily on constructive working relationships with all members of the team. It does not help matters that it is at these moments that strained relationships become more so.
 
A harsh tone of voice, an impatient request or a thoughtless comment can compromise even a normally well functioning team. These actions may be taken as personal attacks by some, even though the perpetrator may be completely unaware. It amounts to a kind of disrespect or failure to meet expectations, which if left uncorrected can violate trust and eventually compromise the care we provide to our patients. It is a choice to tolerate less than optimal working relationships with colleagues.
 
Take the time to determine if what you see, hear, and feel is accurate. What have you done lately to clarify expectations and clear the air with colleagues? Pause for just one minute and ask yourself if you believe the people around you are people of good conscience. What do you expect them to do to show you they respect you and will do the “right” thing? If they are not meeting your expectations, do they know it (have you told them?) Now ask yourself how they would answer these questions about you.
 
Lucia Wocial, PhD, RN
Clarian Health Nurse Ethicist
 
To be a registered nurse at Clarian, visit Jobs for Registered Nurses.
 
You can also Search for Available Nursing Jobs at Clarian Health by Nurse Specialty