Allegations of Dishonesty Nursing

Question: Discuss about the Allegations of Dishonesty Nursing. Answer: Allegations of Dishonesty Nursing: A Reflexive Response Nursing is a profession that deals with a one on one contact with the patients. The practice requires a high level of integrity since any mistake by the nurses can endanger the life of the patient(s). The nursing profession, just like any other profession has a code of conduct that governs the behavior of the nurses during their practice. The code of ethics in Australia is purposed to identify important ethical values and standards that should be adhered to by the professionals, in their workplace and their relationship with others. The code of conduct gives a reference point from which the nurses reflect their conduct their behavior. It also guides decision-making process to ensure it is ethical and provides a layout of the rights and standards of ethical values that the community expects the professionals to uphold(Johnstone Crock, 2015). This reflexive response will give a review of the experiences of dishonesty that have been experienced and the change that resulted from the les sons learned. Dishonesty is not allowed in any medical field of practice. All the nurses are subject to high levels of integrity at all times during their professional practice. It is totally not acceptable, for any reason, in the nursing profession to be dishonest. However, it is unfortunate that this value has not been achieved in totality. There are several instances of dishonesty that are experienced in the nursing profession. As such, it ranges from misdiagnosis, failure to give the right information and even medication. Dishonesty is a professional misconduct, and any victim is subject to punishment, as stipulated by the law of that country(Pairman Donnellan-Fernandez, 2012). The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Australia regulates of the code of conduct for nurses in Australia. According to the NMC, honesty is the best policy in the nursing practice. In many cases, the allegations that have been reported, dishonesty in nursing is a desire to protect oneself, a patient or a doctor(Cashin, et al., 2016). There was an allegation incidence where a nurse in the midwifery was reported to have lied to an expectant mother in the maternity ward. The nurse allegedly told the woman that the condition of her baby was dangerous and that they could only save her and the baby will be lost. The baby was delivered all in good condition, and there were arrangements to sell the baby. It is so painful to see a mother crying of her lost baby when the baby is not dead. All the hopes and expectations she had for being a first-time mom. The cry of that woman was unbearable, tears all over her cheeks, and husband, sobbing but trying to comfort the wife. It was a painful experien ce for the couple. Later on, they filled a case against the midwife. An investigation was completed, and it was discovered that they were false allegations. There has been a change in the maternity procedures. Any expectant woman brought to the hospital to deliver is allowed to get in with people who she trusts. The people monitor her until the time she delivers to ensure that there are no hidden agendas from the midwives. The baby is delivered in the presence of entrusted witnesses, and they ensure the well -being of the baby until the mother is in a stable condition to breastfeed. The penalties faced by nurses who commit such offense are a big lesson to many others in the same profession. Currently, I have learned that integrity is very critical in the nursing profession. Whenever I remember the cry of that woman, I feel obliged to report any case of dishonesty so that anybody involved can face the council(Federal, 2012). Nursing schools are confronted with allegations of dishonesty(Scanlon, Cashin, Bryce, Kelly, Buckely, 2016). It is alleged that some of the students the professors to award them marks for subjects that they failed and even courses that they did not attend classes. The result was that students could graduate as nurses when they have not acquired all the required knowledge and skills. Personally, I don't think these allegations are true since the NMC has its way of verifying whether a person has met the qualifications for being a nurse. There are very minimal cases of "half-baked" nurses in Australia. If reported, such nurses are reported to have the NMC revokes many cases of malpractice and their licenses. To me, this is a high level of dishonesty to the council that one has qualified for the practice of nursing when in the real sense they have not. There are severe consequences for such a case of dishonesty. I learned that one has to work hard for him/her to attain the required leve l to be recognized as a nurse. I always encourage nursing students, to be honest with their scores as it will be able to reflect on their practice. Other cases allegations of dishonesty in the nursing profession include a breach of contract of the patient's privacy. Arguably, it is experienced when the nurses lie to the client that access to some private information or even body parts is necessary when it is not. Deception for selfish interests is not accepted at all in the nursing profession (Johnstone , 2015). Due to the number of the allegations that have been made in Australia, the following model was developed by the senior lawyer of the Nurses Defense Service. The model enables the lawyers to determine the validity of the allegations made against lawyers. Figure 1. A model to determine the validity of an allegation(Parker Brown, 2000) The NMC in Australia clearly outlines the code of conduct for all the nurses in the country. The council is very strict, and all the nurses are subject all the code of conduct and the required values. They have to maintain a healthy relationship in their workplace, with colleagues, patients and the community as a whole(Cashin, et al., 2016). The code of conduct ensures that the behavior of the nurses is guarded and the rights of patients followed to the letter. The allegations of cases of dishonesty in the nursing profession are not true since the NMC ensures that all the nurses adhere to the code of ethics. The NMC emphasizes on honesty as a virtue. Any case of misconduct and dishonesty by the nurses is punishable as stipulated by the law. I have learned that honesty is crucial in the practice of nursing. Honesty and following the code of ethics starts from the point when one has chosen nursing as his/her profession. Right from the nursing school, it is important for nursing students to be very honest about their grades and qualification. Failure to attain the requirements to qualify as a nurse will be depicted in practice and is punishable. The nursing profession deals with the health and life of patients. Any case of misconduct endangers the life of the patient. All nurses should adhere to the code of conduct and Australian law on nursing. References Cashin, A., Heartfield, M., Bryce, J., Devey, L., Buckley, T., Cox, D., Fisher, M. (2016, April 11). Standards for practice for registered nurses in Australia. Collegian. doi:10.1016/j.colegn.2016.03.002 Cusack, L. (2016). A busy year so far for NMBA... . Australian Midwifery News, 16(2), 12. Federal. (2012, March 1). Stories from the mothers who had their babies taken away. Retrieved from Crikey: https://www.crikey.com.au/2012/03/01/forced-adoption-stories-from-the-mothers-who-had-their-babies-taken-away/ Johnstone, M. J. (2015). Bioethics: a nursing perspective. Sydney: Elsevier Health Sciences. Johnstone, M. J., Kanitsaki, O. (2005). 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