Deck 8: Concepts of the Professional

Question 1

Discuss the concept of virtue ethics as described by Crigger and Godfrey (2011) in The Making of Nurse Professionals.

Answer 1

In their book The Making of Nurse Professionals, Crigger and Godfrey (2011) focused on virtue ethics as the core framework for professionalism in nursing. In this view, an individual responds to specific situations in a manner that is appropriate to that particular situation. When performed in an admirable manner, the moral message that this was "good" is reinforced so the person will conduct the action similarly in future situations. This viewpoint emphasizes that the nurse has a choice in how to interact with patients and in society at large. This experiential development process is transformational and moves toward encompassing professional ideals and ethics when good choices are reinforced.

Question 2

Explain how the nurse practitioner's (NP's) application of virtue ethics may produce actions that are incongruent with a patient's definition of "doing good."

Answer 2

Occasionally, "doing good" for the patient may not be what the patient believes is best, and this is when the integrity of the nurse professional, based on an ethical code, must prevail. For NPs, such situations occur fairly frequently in daily practice; e.g., patients who want narcotics for prolonged periods of time without a known etiology of pain, the neighbor who calls and asks for an antibiotic prescription without being evaluated as a patient of that practitioner's practice setting, and so forth. Many examples serve to illustrate how the patient view and the NP view of "doing good" may collide.

Question 3

Describe Adams and Miller's (2001) wheel of professionalism.

Answer 3

Adams and Miller (2001) developed a wheel of professionalism that has at its base education in a university setting, and the spokes of the wheel include publication and communication; adherence to a code of ethics for nurses; theory development, use, and evaluation; community service orientation; continuing education/competence; research development, use, and evaluation; self-regulation (autonomy); and professional organization participation.

Question 4

As described by Keenan (1999), which characteristic is essential to the concept of professional autonomy for the nurse practitioner (NP)?

A) Practicing independently
B) Functioning without collaboration requirements
C) Effecting a desirable outcome
D) Participating in administrative policy making

Question 5

Which behavior by the nurse practitioner (NP) is most reflective of the professional attribute of autonomy?

A) Developing an evidence-based practice project
B) Maintaining accountability for patient outcomes
C) Participating in a research study
D) Engaging in community service

Question 6

Which term best describes the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses?

A) Personal philosophy
B) Moral guidelines
C) Professional recommendations
D) Social contract

Question 7

According to a 2009 study by Bahadori & Fitzpatrick, the nurse practitioner's (NP's) perceived professional autonomy is most significantly impacted by which factor?

A) Outpatient clinical productivity
B) Scope of practice
C) Accountability level
D) Geographical location

Question 8

Discuss the importance of research related to applied ethics and nurse practitioners (NPs), including topics that warrant further investigation.

Question 9

Education for the student nurse practitioner (NP) includes a variety of didactic and clinical educational experiences. During the student NP's educational journey, which strategy most effectively promotes development and increases understanding of the new professional role?

A) Using reflective processes
B) Applying decision making skills
C) Joining professional organizations
D) Understanding practice models

Question 10

What constitutes a "profession"? What are the most commonly referred to professional disciplines?

Question 11

What does professionalism as a nurse practitioner mean to you?

Question 12

Discuss your personal beliefs of the three most important components or identifiers of professionalism as an NP.

Question 13

Discuss examples of daily clinical situations that have posed moral dilemmas for you and/or your preceptor and how you approached these with patients and families.