Unsafe nurse staffing : An ethical challenge to safe and quality patient care

Scholarly Ethics Paper – Individual Ethics Paper (20%) Course: PNR300: Role Development for Practical Nurse Assignment Overview "Just because we can, does not always mean we should." In today’s healthcare environment, advances in technology and medical knowledge allow healthcare professionals to do things that were previously unthinkable. While some advances clearly benefit patients and society, others present complex ethical dilemmas. After researching your chosen topic, you are required to formulate a position and support that position using relevant scholarly literature. Note: There is no right or wrong position. The emphasis of this assignment is on how effectively you support your position through ethical reasoning and scholarly evidence. Process Write the ethical essay individually using APA format (refer to the APA reference guide posted on Blackboard). Select ONE topic from the approved list provided below. Choose a topic that interests you and for which you have: A strong interest. A solid background of information. A strong personal belief. Conduct a thorough literature review to become familiar with the different perspectives surrounding your chosen topic. Formulate a clear and concise thesis (argument). Your paper should support your position using ethical reasoning and valid scholarly references. Use a minimum of five (5) scholarly references. Formatting Requirements Your paper must: Follow APA formatting. Include a clear: Introduction. Thesis statement. Body/content. Conclusion. Be prepared in Microsoft Word. PDF files and Mac formats are not accepted. Be: Double-spaced. Times New Roman. 12-point font. Be 6 pages in length (excluding the cover page and reference page). Note: No marks will be awarded for essays that exceed the page limit. Submission Requirements Submit an electronic copy through SafeAssign by midnight on the due date. Only one submission attempt is permitted. Ensure that the correct paper is submitted. If requested by the instructor: Submit a hard copy on the due date. Failure to do so may result in late penalties. Resource Requirements A minimum of five (5) scholarly journal articles must be used. Acceptable sources include: Nursing journals. CNA journals. Other scholarly journals available through the library. Seneca Library resources. Course readings (in addition to the required journal articles). Unacceptable sources include: Internet searches. Google. Edge. News articles. Wikipedia. Online dictionaries. Refer to the Publication Manual of the APA for formatting requirements. SafeAssign and Academic Integrity Faculty will use discretion when deducting marks based on SafeAssign similarity reports. SafeAssign detects: Previously submitted papers. Your own previously submitted work. Work copied from other students. Material copied from journals or other published sources. To avoid plagiarism: Properly reference all sources. Do not reuse papers from previous courses. Ensure your paper is original. Missed Assignments Failure to submit the paper will result in an automatic grade of zero. If extenuating circumstances arise: Submit supporting documentation within one week of the due date. Failure to provide documentation within the required timeframe will result in a grade of zero. If documentation is accepted: The instructor will approve an extension and provide a new due date. Extensions If illness or other extenuating circumstances prevent submission: Contact the instructor immediately by email. The following are not acceptable reasons for an extension: Computer problems. Power outages. Late Submission Policy Late submissions will incur a 10% deduction per day. Assignments will not be accepted more than two weeks after the due date. Cheating and Plagiarism Review the Academic Policy and course expectations from Week One. Cheating and plagiarism are strictly enforced. Assignments with a high percentage of plagiarism will be reported. General Writing Tips Your paper should: Be analytical. Present a strong, evidence-based argument. Explain both agreement and disagreement with the ethical issue. Support your position using: Ethical theories. Ethical principles. Nursing standards. Nursing codes. Current scholarly research. Relevant legislation. Include a reflection on your personal values related to the ethical issue. Additional Writing Expectations Your paper should include: Background information and significance of the chosen topic. A clear, focused discussion demonstrating understanding of the issue. Logical organization and flow. Correct grammar and spelling. Strong arguments without unnecessary repetition. Discussion of implications for nursing practice. A conclusion that summarizes your argument and ethical position. Approved Essay Topics Select ONE topic only. Note: Essays on MAiD/End of Life or Abortion will not be accepted. Unsafe nursing staff ratio Family demands for futile treatment Safe injection sites Immunization of children Do children have a right to privacy and confidentiality even from parents? The ethical implications of patient non-compliance with treatment plans Balancing professional boundaries with compassionate care Resource allocation in nursing: Prioritizing care during shortages Confidentiality vs. duty to report: Navigating breaches in patient privacy Using Artificial Intelligence in patient care Ethical concerns in telemedicine and remote patient care The impact of COVID-19 on elective and non-urgent medical procedures Equitable access to healthcare services in rural and Indigenous communities Challenges of balancing cost and quality of care Data privacy and security in the use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) Using Artificial Intelligence in diagnostic decision-making Addressing health inequities in urban vs. rural areas Implications of using drones for healthcare delivery Genetic screening for disease risk in asymptomatic individuals Use of big data in healthcare Unproven treatments Using digital health apps for monitoring and treatment Note: Only the topics listed above are approved. Essays submitted on any other topic will receive a grade of zero. Paper Overview Your paper should include the following components: Cover Page Follow APA format. Include the title of the essay. Introduction / Thesis Include: An engaging opening. Background information. Significance of the topic. Description of the ethical dilemma. A clear thesis statement. Your argument with supporting scholarly references. Ethical Analysis Discuss: One ethical theory (e.g., deontology, utilitarianism) and its perspective on the ethical dilemma. Two ethical theories that present opposing viewpoints. Select one ethical theory and justify why it best supports your position. Apply two or three ethical principles (e.g., beneficence, veracity). Justify the ethical principles that support your argument. Nursing Profession Explain how the nursing profession is involved by referring to: CNO. CNA. RPNAO. Nursing standards and guidelines. Include relevant legislation where appropriate, such as: RHPA. Nursing Act. Criminal Code. Human Rights legislation. Social Justice Discuss: A definition of social justice (supported by a scholarly source). How your ethical issue relates to social justice. Relevant laws affecting the ethical issue. Personal Reflection State your position based on your personal values. Discuss how your: Values. Beliefs. Culture. Media influences. Religion. affect your perspective on the ethical issue. Ethical Action Identify the ethical decision-making framework that best fits your issue. Explain how you would apply that framework to address the ethical concern. Conclusion Your conclusion should: Summarize the major arguments. Reinforce your ethical position. Summarize the key ethical principles and theories discussed. Explain implications for nursing practice. Avoid introducing new ideas. Remember: A strong ethical argument presents both sides while clearly explaining why one position is more convincing. References Include a complete APA reference page. Additional Mark Deductions Marks may be deducted for: Grammar, spelling, punctuation, or sentence structure errors. Writing a narrative essay rather than an analytical paper. Inconsistent fonts or formatting. Exceeding or falling below the required page length. Improper referencing. Use of non-academic sources (e.g., Wikipedia, online dictionaries). Paragraphs that address multiple unrelated ideas. Failure to follow assignment formatting and submission requirements (e.g., submitting a PDF instead of a Word document). Failure to address all required components substantively. Final Reminders Proofread your paper carefully before submission. Read your paper multiple times to ensure clarity and coherence. Use Seneca academic support resources if needed. Consult the Continuing Education Coordinator for assistance with essay writing. By the end of this assignment, you should have a stronger understanding of ethical issues in healthcare and how these dilemmas influence nursing practice.