Moral, Ethical, and Legal Leadership
Introduction
In our work environment and our dailies, moral, legal, and ethical issues greet us. We are barraged with numerous questions regarding the morality of clinical technologies hat work towards the prolongation of life, rights of the homeless, and the justice for our foreign policy. These issues tend to pester us, and on the evening new, they bid us goodnight. The problems have compromised individual’s career in most severe cases. Besides, it is always perplexing dealing with moral and ethical challenges. But how should we think about these issues? More significantly, what factors should we put into consideration? What is certain is the fact that for the issues to be resolved, an intensive analysis of the presenting cases and the opinion of the various involved parties should be carried out. A moral leader and agent should have profound knowledge on matters related to the ethical or moral context of consideration. Therefore, there is no doubt that most organization present with legal, moral, and ethical standards that aim at preventing as well as controlling the emergence of such issues.
Conceptual framework
The conceptual framework of ethical constructs of ethics tends to present with an initial step in the analysis of ethical issues. Although it is not an easy step, it should aim at getting the facts right at all times. The various process and performances require on-going monitoring and revision regardless of whether the operations and behaviours in the organization are ethical or not(Brown.edu, 2016). The framework presents with continuity as since a series of successive firms are interdependent. Thus, there should be a continuous attention towards the ethical issues. Some issues create disagreements due to lack of adequate consideration of the facts. Facts indicate ‘what is’ thus presenting it as inadequate.it means that the resolution of any moral or ethical concern tends to necessitate and entreaty to values.
Ethical dilemma
One has to comprehend the fundamentals of legal, moral and ethical principles that influence the working environment for them to be effective leaders. It is usually inclusive of legal relationships that exist between the organizations and consumers.(Ohene&Ofori-Atta, 2014).In a health care setting, the relationship exists between the medical personnel and the patient. While nurses may be considered the most ethical and honest in their line of work, they encounter ethical dilemmas that are worse. Cyprian and I faced a healthcare dilemma in a health facility while working closely with the department of pharmacy.
Cyprian faced an ethical dilemma in the provision of analgesics that were adequate to relief the pain experienced by most patients who were seriously ill in the wards. He had half of the painkillers she required for each and every shift. Sometimes the analgesics were out of stock. He was always tone between issuing the painkillers to the kids who may have lived longer or adult patients who had already enjoyed/lived their lives. Each and overtime Cyprian walked in the ward knowing he had inadequate medication for patients he felt responsible for the clutter. He had an idea of the individual who sold the drugs causing shortages.
The situation, in which Cyprian found him, frustrated him and he could not raise complaints on the matter as he feared to lose his job. The moral dilemma of not providing essential care to his patients was killing him inside. He believed that it was one of the patient’s rights to medication so as to relieve pain. Conversely, he felt that he would lose his job if he acted as a snitch.
Role as a moral agent
I listened to the challenges presents by Cyprian.As a leader, I sort some explanations from the pharmacy department. I carefully considered all the options from both parties before attempting jump into any conclusions. Through the application of my professional knowledge and experiences of a practical approach, I identified the various courses of action that were at my disposal. I employed my artisan leadership style and decided to conduct a crisis meeting so as to create awareness to all healthcare practitioners.as the meeting progressed, I reminded them of their professional code of conduct (Disch, 2014).
Being an idealist, I touched on the importance of adhering to the moral and ethical standards at such as institution and legal measures can be carried out to any individual who goes against their professional decree. Nursing is a profession that upholds strict adherence to the procedures that aim at governing the business and the codes of conduct. I took control of the presenting situation and followed up the process of procurement of heath care facilities without making Cyprian look as a whistle-blower.
I acted in a manner that shielded Cyprian from his senior so as to prevent him from being subjected to unfair treatment at a later date. I assured him of my unanimous support in the move towards ensuring that the ethical and moral standards are exposed. The above course of action results to enormous benefits.As a moral agent, all the staffs accepted my approach as they acknowledged that there exists an ethical problem that needed to be addressed.
Ethics play a significant role in identifying what is wrong and right in a given setting.In a nutshell, ethics are the moral standards that are practical and those that bring about a distinction between good and evil and provide a guide to conducting a moral life. Morality is associated with the various issues that fall between right or wrong(Disch, 2014).It stems from the values of a particular society and the conscience of individuals in a particular society. Furthermore, the law intends to enforce as well as reflect on the ethical and moral standards in a given setting.
Moral, Ethical, and Legal Implications
Cyprian’s story is intertwined with suffering and corruption which he is helpless about. It portrays the critical needs for nurses who feel vulnerable to unite against their presenting challenges so as to help one another. The fact that Cyprian was alone to voice the advocacy for the sake of his colleagues was untenable. I encouraged him to listen to himself and stick to his moral principles so as to avoid the progression of unethical behaviours (By &Burnes, 2013). It is because acts of corruption stemmed from a superior figure within the healthcare organization.There existed no respects for the rights of the patients, and this showed that individuals who were involved in corruption were involved in unethical practices. Therefore, an approach should be put in place to assist nurses to find models of ethical decision making for professional practice(Pozgar, 2005). Nurse need to recap on the professional code of conduct and that the violation of human rights is unacceptable bases on legal frameworks.it is evident that moral distress is a common issue in healthcare facilities since the majority of nurses choose to go silent over any unethical matters that they encounter in their line of duty.
Leadership style
My artisan style of leadership was instrumental in the organization, supporting and development of the involved parties of the shortage of drugs issues. The method helps in encouraging the involvement of the parties thus facilitating the resolution of ethical issues(Marquis& Huston, 2015). The style helps me engage in what i do best which is facilitating conversations as well as encouraging colleagues to share their burning issues.The concept of temperament self-assessment guarantees that one can evaluate him or herself and comprehend how great leaders can solve ethical dilemmas. Being an idealist, I strive to achieve the best of me and inspire my junior staff to develop on an individual basis and fulfil their potential(Cianciet al., 2014). I am ethically cautious, and i expect my colleagues to present the same. Through the creation of an environment that is harmonious helps in the enhancement of personal relations.
Conclusion
Nurses perform one of the serious tasks, and it is a profession that entails the care for humanity. It is evident that care for humankind is not easy. Nurses all over the world tend to encounter ethical dilemmas in their field of practice. They also face ethical issues that cause moral distress. The manner through which nurses deal with ethical issues they face in their line of duty is often based on the situation that they encounter. I tend to believe that their nature and manner of handling the different issues is usually determined by their abilities to make an ethical decision, the level of education, as well as their willingness to empower themselves and others.
References
Brown.edu,.(2016). A Framework for Making Ethical Decisions | Science and Technology Studies. Retrieved 31 January 2016, from http://www.brown.edu/academics/science-and-technology-studies/framework-making-ethical-decisions
By, R., &Burnes, B. (2013).Organizational Change, Leadership and Ethics. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis.
Cianci, A. M., Hannah, S. T., Roberts, R. P., &Tsakumis, G. T. (2014). The effects of authentic leadership on followers\’ ethical decision-making in the face of temptation: An experimental study. The Leadership Quarterly, 25(3), 581–594. doi:10.1016/j.leaqua.2013.12.001
Disch, J. (2014). Using Evidence-Based Advocacy to Improve the Nation\’s Health. Nurse Leader, 12(4), 28–31. doi:10.1016/j.mnl.2014.05.003
Marquis, B. L., & Huston, C. J. (2015). Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: Theory and application (8th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
Ohene, S., &Ofori-Atta, A. (2014).Changing trends in mental health care and research in Ghana.Legon-Accra, Ghana: For the University of Ghana by Sub-Saharan Publishers.
Pozgar, G. (2005). Legal and ethical issues for health professionals. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
