Research Paper on:
An Ethical Dilemma in Nursing: A Case Study

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
ethics reflects both societal expectations and the call for the ethical treatment of patient populations. As a result, the assessment of nursing ethics and the code of ethics requires  an understanding of the focus on the directives defined by a code of ethics and the underlying reasons that societies of nurses employ a code as a basis for nurse/patient,  nurse/professional and nurse/societal interactions. The framework of the code of ethics is based on the desire to promote a positive relationship between the individual patient and the nurse. Nursing  has been distinguished by a history of care for the sick, vulnerable and injured and this has resulted in the desire to prevent and alleviate the suffering of others ("Code  of Ethics"). It is not surprising, then, that the specific constructs of the nursing code of ethics in the modern era reflects the focus on the individual and factors  that influence the individual, including societal factors and family. There are many different ethical situations and issues that can be understood in defining the application of the nursing  code of ethics, but understanding and assessing a single issue, the problem of meeting nursing needs in the changing environment, demonstrates the conflict that can exist between applying nursing ethics  and the directives of the medical environment. For over two decades, for example, the health care industry has recognized a decline in nurse populations, especially in hospitals in problematic  areas, including low-income urban centers and rural communities. Increasing specialization of nursing and the availability of employment for uncertified nursing support personnel has translated into reductions in the number  of general nurses available in the hospital setting. At the same time, hospital have integrated the use of nursing assistants and aides to replace nurses as a cost containment