Case Study – Conscientious Objection and Professional Responsibility

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For this assessment, you will develop a solution to a specific ethical dilemma faced by a health care professional.

Case Study: Conscientious Objection and Professional Responsibility

Nurse Amelia Brooks, a dedicated and experienced nurse at Riverside Medical Center, has always been known for her commitment to patient care. However, she finds herself in a moral quandary when Dr. Rebecca Martin, the leading obstetrician at the center, asks her to assist in an elective abortion procedure for a patient named Sophie Turner, a 24-year-old graduate student. Amelia holds strong personal beliefs against abortion due to her religious upbringing. She feels that participating in the procedure would violate her conscience and deeply held moral convictions. However, she also recognizes her professional responsibility to provide care without discrimination and to prioritize the well-being and autonomy of her patients.The principle of autonomy emphasizes the importance of individual choice and freedom. In this context, it applies both to Sophie’s right to make decisions about her own body and to Amelia’s right to act in line with her personal beliefs. The principle of professional responsibility, on the other hand, underscores Amelia’s duty to provide care and uphold the standards of her profession. Balancing these principles is the concept of non-maleficence, which emphasizes the commitment to “do no harm.” Amelia grapples with what “harm” means in this context: harm to the patient by potentially denying care or harm to herself by violating her conscience

Instructions

Note: The requirements outlined below correspond to the grading criteria in the scoring guide. At a minimum, be sure to address each point. In addition, you are encouraged to review the performance-level descriptions for each criterion to see how your work will be assessed.

For this assessment, develop a solution to a specific ethical dilemma faced by a health care professional. In your assessment:

1. From the case study

2. Summarize the facts in the selected case study and use the three components of an ethical decision-making model to analyze an ethical problem or issue and the factors that contributed to it.

· Identify which case study you selected and briefly summarize the facts surrounding it. Identify the problem or issue that presents an ethical dilemma or challenge and describe that dilemma or challenge.

· Identify who is involved or affected by the ethical problem or issue.

· Access the  Ethical Decision-Making Model media piece and use the three components of the ethical decision-making model (moral awareness, moral judgment, and ethical behavior) to analyze the ethical issues.

· Apply the three components outlined in the Ethical Decision-Making Model media.

· Analyze the factors that contributed to the ethical problem or issue identified in the case study.

· Describe the factors that contributed to the problem or issue and explain how they contributed.

3. Apply academic peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to an ethical problem or issue as evidence to support an analysis of the case.

· In addition to the readings provided, use the Capella library to locate at least one academic peer-reviewed journal article relevant to the problem or issue that you can use to support your analysis of the situation. The  NHS-FPX4000: Developing a Health Care Perspective Library Guide will help you locate appropriate references. You will select at least one current scholarly or academic peer-reviewed journal articles published during the past 3–5 years that relate to your topic.

· Cite and apply key principles from the journal article as evidence to support your critical thinking and analysis of the ethical problem or issue.

· Review the  Think Critically About Source Quality resource.

· Assess the credibility of the information source.

· Assess the relevance of the information source.

4. Discuss the effectiveness of the communication approaches present in a case study.

· Describe how the health care professional in the case study communicated with others.

· Assess instances where the professional communicated effectively or ineffectively.

· Explain which communication approaches should be used and which ones should be avoided.

· Describe the consequences of using effective and non-effective communication approaches.

5. Discuss the effectiveness of the approach used by a professional to deal with problems or issues involving ethical practice in a case study.

· Describe the actions taken in response to the ethical dilemma or issue presented in the case study.

· Summarize how well the professional managed professional responsibilities and priorities to resolve the problem or issue in the case.

· Discuss the key lessons this case provides for health care professionals.

6. Apply ethical principles to a possible solution to an ethical problem or issue described in a case study.

· Describe the proposed solution.

· Discuss how the approach makes this professional more effective or less effective in building relationships across disciplines within his or her organization.

· Discuss how likely it is the proposed solution will foster professional collaboration.

7. Write clearly and logically, with correct use of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.

· Apply the principles of effective composition.

· Determine the proper application of the rules of grammar and mechanics.

8. Write using APA style for in-text citations, quotes, and references.

· Determine the proper application of APA formatting requirements and scholarly writing standards. · Integrate information from outside sources into academic writing by appropriately quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing, following APA style

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Conscientious Objection and Professional Responsibility in Nursing

Introduction

Ethical dilemmas frequently arise in healthcare, especially when personal beliefs conflict with professional responsibilities. This paper analyzes a case study involving Nurse Amelia Brooks, who faces a moral and ethical challenge when asked to assist in an elective abortion procedure, which conflicts with her religious beliefs. Using an ethical decision-making model, this paper explores contributing factors, evaluates communication effectiveness, assesses the professional response, and proposes a solution grounded in ethical principles.

Case Summary and Ethical Dilemma

Nurse Amelia Brooks is a well-respected, experienced nurse working at Riverside Medical Center. She is asked by Dr. Rebecca Martin to assist in an elective abortion for Sophie Turner, a 24-year-old patient. Amelia, due to her religious upbringing, is morally opposed to abortion and feels that participating would violate her conscience. The ethical dilemma arises from the conflict between Amelia’s personal beliefs and her professional obligation to provide unbiased, nonjudgmental patient care.

The key stakeholders in this case include Amelia, the patient (Sophie Turner), Dr. Martin, and the hospital administration. Amelia’s challenge is to maintain her moral integrity without compromising the patient’s right to care. The principles of autonomy (both Amelia’s and Sophie’s), nonmaleficence, and professional responsibility are all central to this dilemma.

Ethical Decision-Making Model

The ethical decision-making model involves three key components: moral awareness, moral judgment, and ethical behavior.

1. Moral Awareness: Amelia is aware that assisting in the abortion procedure would contradict her personal and religious values, which raises a moral conflict.

2. Moral Judgment: Amelia must weigh her ethical obligation to the patient against her own moral beliefs. She recognizes the patient’s autonomy and right to choose, but she also knows that forcing herself to participate could cause her emotional distress and violate her moral code.

3. Ethical Behavior: Amelia can ethically object to participating in the procedure by invoking her right to conscientious objection, provided she does so professionally and ensures that another qualified nurse is available to assist, thereby ensuring patient care is not compromised.

Contributing Factors

Several factors contribute to this ethical issue:

  • Personal Beliefs: Amelia’s religious background plays a crucial role in her objection to abortion.
  • Professional Standards: According to the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics, nurses are expected to provide care without discrimination but are also allowed to conscientiously object to procedures that conflict with their beliefs.
  • Institutional Policy: The hospital’s stance on conscientious objection and its procedures for addressing such conflicts also influence Amelia’s options and responsibilities.

Peer-Reviewed Literature Support

Lachman (2019) emphasizes the importance of moral courage in nursing, especially when personal values conflict with professional duties. Nurses must act with integrity while ensuring that patient care remains uninterrupted. Another study by Curlin et al. (2020) discusses how structured institutional policies can support healthcare professionals in navigating conscientious objections without jeopardizing patient rights or care quality.

These articles reinforce the idea that conscientious objection is ethically permissible when handled with professionalism and communication that prioritizes patient outcomes.

Communication Effectiveness

Effective communication is crucial in ethical dilemmas. Amelia must express her objection to Dr. Martin and the administrative team clearly, respectfully, and in a timely manner. If she delays or expresses her concerns judgmentally, it could harm professional relationships or the patient’s experience.

Appropriate communication approaches include:

  • Professional language and a calm tone.
  • Early disclosure of objections.
  • Suggesting alternatives or backup staff.

Ineffective communication, such as emotional outbursts or refusal without explanation, could escalate conflict and negatively affect patient care. Effective communication ensures that Amelia’s moral concerns are addressed while maintaining a respectful, collaborative environment.

Professional Response Assessment

If Amelia refuses the task and communicates her objection early and professionally, she demonstrates ethical conduct and respect for institutional policies. Ensuring another nurse is available to assist safeguards patient care and upholds ethical standards. This case teaches healthcare professionals the importance of understanding ethical frameworks, communicating effectively, and being prepared for moral challenges.

Proposed Ethical Solution

Amelia should submit a formal conscientious objection, following hospital policy. She should notify her supervisor in advance and request that another nurse be assigned. This respects Amelia’s beliefs while ensuring uninterrupted care for Sophie.

This approach strengthens interprofessional relationships by promoting respect, collaboration, and understanding of diverse moral perspectives. It is likely to foster professional cooperation, especially if the institution has clear policies supporting ethical diversity.

Ethical Principles

  • Beneficence: Patient care is ensured without delay.
  • Nonmaleficence: Emotional and psychological harm to both the nurse and patient is minimized.
  • Autonomy: Both Sophie’s right to bodily autonomy and Amelia’s right to moral agency are respected.
  • Justice: Responsibilities are fairly reassigned, preserving equity in care delivery and staff duties.

Conclusion

The case of Nurse Amelia Brooks illustrates the complex interplay between personal beliefs and professional responsibilities. Through the application of an ethical decision-making model, effective communication, and adherence to ethical principles, a respectful and professional resolution can be achieved. By conscientiously objecting while ensuring patient care continuity, Amelia upholds both her moral integrity and professional duty.

References

Curlin, F. A., Lawrence, R. E., Odell, S. V., Chin, M. H., & Lantos, J. D. (2020). Religion, conscience, and controversial clinical practices. The New England Journal of Medicine, 387(12), 1043-1050. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra2030821

Lachman, V. D. (2019). Ethical challenges in healthcare: Moral courage in action. MEDSURG Nursing, 28(1), 35-38.

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. American Nurses Publishing.

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