Compare and examine the consequences of an unethical behaviors in a nursing Master’s program, INCLUDING PLAGIARISM, and in the nursing practice by providing AT LEAST one example for each.
Please include 300-350 words in your post, in APA Style 7th Ed.
Unethical behaviors in any professional or academic setting can have severe repercussions. This is particularly true in fields like nursing, where integrity is paramount both in education and practice. Two prominent examples of unethical behaviors are plagiarism in a nursing Master’s program and patient neglect in clinical practice.
Plagiarism in a Nursing Master’s Program
Plagiarism, the act of using someone else’s work or ideas without proper attribution, undermines the foundational academic values of honesty and integrity. In a nursing Master’s program, students are expected to contribute original thought to advance practice and improve patient outcomes. Engaging in plagiarism not only jeopardizes the student’s academic standing but also their future professional credibility. For instance, a student who plagiarizes their research project could graduate without fully understanding essential aspects of patient care or nursing ethics. This lack of competence could be detrimental when complex decisions need to be made in clinical settings. Furthermore, academic dishonesty can lead to expulsion from a program, loss of professional licensure opportunities, and a tarnished reputation within the medical community.
Patient Neglect in Nursing Practice
In the nursing practice, unethical behavior can manifest as patient neglect, a serious misconduct where a nurse fails to provide adequate care to patients. This can include ignoring patient needs, failing to administer medication properly, or not monitoring vital signs regularly. An example of this could involve a nurse who, feeling overwhelmed and understaffed, neglects to check on a critically ill patient as frequently as required. The consequences of such neglect can be dire, potentially resulting in patient harm or death. Professionally, the nurse could face legal actions, including lawsuits or criminal charges, loss of nursing licensure, and irreparable damage to their professional reputation.
Both examples highlight the critical nature of ethical conduct in nursing. Whether in an academic setting or professional practice, maintaining ethical standards is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of patients and uphold the integrity of the nursing profession. These standards foster a culture of trust, responsibility, and professional excellence that is essential in healthcare.
Reference
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.