What is one of the primary focuses of nursing ethics?

One of the primary focuses of nursing ethics is patient advocacy. This involves the nurse's responsibility to represent and support the interests of their patients, ensuring that their rights, preferences, and needs are prioritized in the healthcare setting. Patient advocacy entails listening to the patient's concerns, providing necessary information, and acting on their behalf when they are unable to do so themselves. This is rooted in the fundamental principles of respect for autonomy, beneficence, and justice, which are core to ethical nursing practice.

The emphasis on patient advocacy ensures that care is patient-centered and that individuals receive the support and treatment they deserve. In advocating for patients, nurses work to eliminate barriers to care and strive to ensure that their patients’ wishes are honored in medical decision-making processes, thereby fostering an environment of trust and respect within healthcare.