Professional Responsibility, Nurses, and Conscientious Objection: A Framework for Ethical Evaluation

Authors

Pamela J. Grace, Boston College
Elizabeth Peter, University of Toronto
Vicki D. Lachman, V.L. Associates
Norah L. Johnson, Marquette UniversityFollow
Deborah J. Kenny, University of Colorado
Lucia D. Wocial, Medstar Washington Hospital Center

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2024

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Source Publication

Nursing Ethics

Source ISSN

0969-7330

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1177/09697330231180749

Abstract

Conscientious objections (CO) can be disruptive in a variety of ways and may disadvantage patients and colleagues who must step-in to assume care. Nevertheless, nurses have a right and responsibility to object to participation in interventions that would seriously harm their sense of integrity. This is an ethical problem of balancing risks and responsibilities related to patient care. Here we explore the problem and propose a nonlinear framework for exploring the authenticity of a claim of CO from the perspective of the nurse and of those who must evaluate such claims. We synthesized the framework using Rest’s Four Component Model of moral reasoning along with tenets of the International Council of Nursing’s (ICN) Code of Ethics for Nurses and insights from relevant ethics and nursing ethics literature. The resulting framework facilitates evaluating potential consequences of a given CO for all involved. We propose that the framework can also serve as an aid for nurse educators as they prepare students for practice. Gaining clarity about the sense in which the concept of conscience provides a defensible foundation for objecting to legally, or otherwise ethically, permissible actions, in any given case is critical to arriving at an ethical and reasonable plan of action.

Comments

Accepted version. Nursing Ethics, Vol. 31, No. 2-3 (2024): 243-255. DOI. © 2024 SAGE Publications. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Grace, Pamela J.; Peter, Elizabeth; Lachman, Vicki D.; Johnson, Norah L.; Kenny, Deborah J.; and Wocial, Lucia D., "Professional Responsibility, Nurses, and Conscientious Objection: A Framework for Ethical Evaluation" (2024). College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications. 997.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/nursing_fac/997