NAVIGATING ETHICAL DILEMMAS IN NURSING: A REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND BEST PRACTICES

Author Name: 1. Prof. (Dr.) R. K. Saini, 2. Misbah Moin, 3.Dr. P M Prathiba, 4. Nilima Yangad, 5. Prof. Mrs. B. Rusha

Volume/Issue: 06/02

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/07.2025-77722288/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. Principal, NIMS Nursing College, NIMS University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
2. Nursing Tutor, College of Nursing, AMU, Aligarh, UP, India.
3. Associate Professor, ESIC College of Nursing, kalaburagi, India.
4. Assistant Professor, Kiran Nursing College, Surat, India.
5. Sc. Nursing (PhD), Research Scholar, Sri Balaji Vidhyapeeth (Deemed to be university), Puducherry, India.

ABSTRACT

Ethical dilemmas are an inherent part of modern nursing practice, where professionals are often required to make complex decisions that balance patient needs, institutional policies, legal constraints, and professional values. This review article explores the multifaceted nature of ethical challenges faced by nurses in diverse clinical settings and highlights the best practices for addressing them. Drawing on recent literature, the article categorizes common ethical dilemmas-including issues surrounding patient autonomy, informed consent, end-of-life care, confidentiality, and equitable resource allocation. It also examines the theoretical frameworks that underpin ethical nursing practice, such as principlism, utilitarianism, deontology, and the International Code of Ethics for Nurses. Factors influencing ethical decision-making, including personal values, organizational culture, legal regulations, and interdisciplinary dynamics, are critically analyzed. The review underscores the emotional and moral burden that unresolved ethical conflicts impose on nursing professionals, often resulting in moral distress and burnout. To mitigate these challenges, the article presents evidence-based strategies and decision-making models—such as the MORAL and Four-Box models-that guide nurses in systematic ethical reasoning. The role of ethics committees, leadership support, and continuous ethics education in fostering an ethically sound workplace is also discussed. The review highlights the implications of ethical nursing practice on patient safety, quality of care, and public trust. It calls for a stronger integration of ethical training in nursing education and the establishment of institutional policies that support ethical resilience. By synthesizing current research and expert perspectives, this article aims to equip nurses, educators, and policymakers with practical tools and insights for navigating ethical dilemmas with professionalism, compassion, and integrity.

Key words: Nursing Ethics, Ethical Dilemmas, Moral Decision-Making, Nursing Code of Ethics.