Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: : Nurses encounter numerous dilemmas, throughout their professional lives, that can become topics of heated discussion. Given the increased complexities in medical technology, laws and dynamics of professional work, dilemmas in nursing need to be examined from a fresh perspective. Thus, the purpose of this paper, using Walker and Avant’s approach to concept analysis, was to examine, within the context of nursing, the concept of dilemma. A literature search was carried out using a variety of sources, including: CINAHL-Nursing and Allied Health; ScienceDirect; and, psychological, sociological and nursing administration literature. Key words used in the search were: dilemmas in nursing; ethical decision-making; and nurses ’ code of ethics. Regarding the presence of dilemmas in nursing, ethical, moral and legal dilemmas were found to be discussed and often used interchangeably throughout the literature. Five defining attributes of dilemmas in nursing identified included: 1) involvement, engagement or commitment; 2) equally unattractive alternatives; 3) need for a choice; 4) awareness of alternatives; and 5) uncertainty of action. Antecedents of the concept were noted to be: knowledge and experience with the situation at hand; power to
Author: Chantira Chiaranai
Institution: Suranaree University of Technology
Language: English
Topic: Ethics in medical practice
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W55391954