Policy, Law, Ethics, and Regulations in Advanced Nursing Practice
MSN 6004
U07a1 Ethics Communication Reflection Paper
As a nurse it is our ethical responsibility to provide care, treatment, and teach individuals of diverse ethnic groups regardless of their educational level, socioeconomic status, cultural background, or ethnicity. The American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics gives nurses an ethical framework within which to practice in their profession . Values and integrity are emphasized throughout the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses. Values are an appreciation of what is important to the nurse personally and the patient as well. Maintaining integrity involves acting consistently with personal values and the values that are respected in the nursing profession. When a nurse is involved in difficult situations regarding patient care and treatment, the nurse’s beliefs with good moral reasoning, will guide the nurse’s actions even when his/her beliefs are challenged by others.
In the case study with Ms. Martha, the roles that were assumed and contributed to her needs would be closely related to what a community or public health nurse would prioritize as essential needs for Ms. Martha. Her need for health care insurance will be provided by Medicaid and Medicare. She will be eligible based on her age, low-income status, and medical problems. Medicaid will provide financial aid assistance for basic home health care which she currently is receiving for her ulcerations to her left ankle and medical supplies to treat her ulcerations. Medicare will provide her with medical insurance, assisting with preventive expenses, and her prescription drugs. Ms. Martha will be able to use Medicare for preventive medical screenings. She can purchase a blood pressure machine to monitor her elevated blood pressures and a glucometer to monitor her blood sugar levels. Because of these two chronic illnesses, Ms. Martha is at risk for renal problems and a stroke which could lead to acute renal disease and cardiovascular disease.
Housing may be the primary concern for Ms. Martha because of her current living arrangement and location. She lives in substandard apartment with only cold water in a housing project in a high crime rate neighborhood. She does not feel safe in her neighborhood and stays in her apartment when she returns home after work. This situation can cause a problem with lack of socialization and exercise. The Medicare/Medicaid agency can assist Ms. Martha with locating better housing and a safer neighborhood through the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program. This program is designed to help low-income people pay for low-rent housing. Many houses that are being rented are not always in the unsafe neighborhoods. The community social service agency administration which works closely with the community can provide a list of affordable apartments or homes in a safer neighborhood based on Ms. Martha’s income. Social services can provide her with information regarding the housing choice voucher program. It is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. The Public Housing Agencies receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program. Ms. Martha does not have hot water for bathing. The Medicare/ Medicaid agency representative, community social service agency administrator, and the community clergy has resources to negotiate lower utility bills, have a low fixed rate for her energy and water bill, or assist her with payment of her utility bills by the local church. The agency needs to locate resources within the community to assist her with these expenses such as churches, charitable organizations, or foundations.
Ms. Martha is the sole provider for her family.