SUPPORTING NURSES IN ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING

In their clinical practice, nurses are confronted continuously with et hical issues. There is a growing concern about the capacity of nurses to perform ethically. This article explores the process of ethical dec ision-making in nursing, including the process of ethical reasoning an d the implementation of ethical decisions in clinical practice. This a rticle begins with a reflection on the essence of nursing and on nurse s' ethical responsibility. Problems as well as determinants related to nurses' ethical decision-making, are described.. Based on the researc h in this area, some strategies to support ethical decision-making by nurses are proposed.