p. 17 | Nursing Ethics by O. B. Kuhn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 16, 1914

Nursing Ethics

By O. B. Kuhn

General Principles

ETHICS is the science of right doing. All should have a sacred regard for the rights of others, which is but obeying the law of God. There is before us the constant necessity of developing self-control, forbearance, sympathy, charity, conscientiousness, and fidelity.

Right principles demand our acknowledgment of the rights of every man. Men's social rights and their rights as Christians are to be considered. All are to be treated with refinement and delicacy. It is said that the Lord Jesus bowed with the tenderest regard to the lowest of the sons of Adam. Even when exercising a prerogative, it should be done courteously, respectfully, with due recognition of the rights and relative position of others. Christianity will make a man a gentleman.

Many whose lives we touch are refined, sensitive persons of ready tact and keen discernment. These persons discover defects at once, and comment upon them.

Relation to Patient

The patient has a right to the time, thought, and ability of the nurse employed. Most patients think that they receive full returns when every physical health-restoring and health-sustaining agent is provided. But the intelligent Christian nurse, understanding the sympathetic relation existing between the physical, mental, and spiritual natures, knows that she cannot conscientiously fulfill her duty without using mental and spiritual forces that favorably influence life and health. She recognizes that in nine cases out of ten, mental depression is the cause of disease. Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, and distrust tend to break down the life forces, and to invite decay and death. Courage, hope, faith, sympathy, and love promote health and prolong life. She knows also that the will exercised in the right direction will control the imagination and impart energy to the whole being, that it is a wonderful aid in maintaining health and combating disease.

It is the heart and will of man that govern the mind that controls the body; therefore spiritual influences are more powerful than either mental or physical forces. The acceptance of the plan of salvation, communion with the Son of God, the fellowship of the soul with him who is its life, a conscience void of offense toward God and man, and bright prospects of eternal life, bring one into possession of spiritual power, and impart to him the motive powers of life,—faith, hope, courage, and love.

Relation to Physician

The physician's education, training, skill, and experience qualify him to direct in the care of patients. This fitness is the basis for professional respect, loyalty, and cooperation from the nurse.

Since the doctor's qualifications are so much greater than her own, the nurse should never dictate to him. She should report all symptoms and conditions, but leave the prescribing to the doctor. He is responsible; the nurse's duty is to follow his directions faithfully.

Also the nurse should inspire in the patient confidence in the physician. As far as is right and consistent, the patient and her friends should be led to think that the attending physician is just the one to care for the case.

Relation to the Institution

An institution is an establishment embodying certain ideas and employing persons to demonstrate these ideas to the public. Seventh-day Adventist sanitariums are gospel medical institutions, embodying Biblical ideas, and they employ and train men and women to illustrate Bible principles of healing to the public. These institutions are established to present the truths of the third angel's message. This message embraces all reform. Every true reform involves repentance, faith, and obedience toward God. Their message is the everlasting gospel, which provides for the care, uplift, and development of body, mind, and spirit.

These sanitariums hold certain well-defined ideas concerning principles of health and temperance and of the treatment and prophylaxis of disease, in their relation to spiritual life. The nurse employed in the sanitarium should at all times be loyal to these principles and ideals. When she leaves the institution, her faithfulness should continue to demonstrate the great principles of truth and right.

Faithfulness and economy should also be exercised in the care of institutional equipment. The business management should always be upheld and cooperated with.

Relation to the Faculty

In God's order, men are chosen to plan work and to lead in the accomplishment of institutional purposes. These leaders are to stimulate thought and direct the activities of others. Upon them devolves the responsibilities for the service rendered to guests, for the maintenance of right professional and moral conduct, and for the general upkeep of refinement and spirituality. The nurse should acknowledge the various positions of responsibility. She should encourage the maintenance of a high plane of thought, life, and service, by living and speaking in harmony with established principles and rules. The Bible admonition is, “Esteem them very highly . . . for their work's sake.”

Relation to Fellow Nurses

Inasmuch as our influence is a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death, and since it is impossible for one to live without affecting the lives of others, there is a duty that one owes his fellows,—the duty of presenting a right example in moral conduct, in professional service, in study, and in play. The nurse should provoke in others self-denial, love, faithfulness, and proficiency.

Relation to God

God is ruler over all, and is the source of our life. He gives to every man his work, and to him all must render account; therefore the nurse has a definite relation to sustain toward her Creator. She should recognize every soul as being the property of God by virtue of creation and redemption, a part of the purchased possession bought with a price. All in her power must be done to influence men to render obedience to the laws of the God of heaven and earth. Soul winning should be her life work. The general spiritual declension and widespread disregard for the requirements of God's holy law call for a decided testimony from all who stand for the principles of divine government.

Duty to Self

Our first charge is the training and salvation of ourselves. We each have a soul to save. Each must be the winner of his own soul. Every physical, mental, and spiritual power must be developed, purified, and directed in a way that will glorify and honor God, reveal the image of the Lord Jesus, and render the most acceptable and efficient service to our fellows. Every purpose of the heart must be deepened, broadened, and enriched. There should be a constant growth in grace and in knowledge. Mental and moral culture must not be neglected. One should advance in knowledge, skill, and efficiency in professional duty.

Personal Appearance

The nurse in choosing her profession openly declares herself to be the servant of mankind. She does not seek to be ministered unto, but to minister. Hers is a high and a holy calling.

Her dress and personal appearance should be in harmony with her vocation. Any device designed to attract attention or to excite admiration is excluded. The clothing should be modest and plain, with the grace, beauty, and appropriateness of natural simplicity. It should be chosen for durability rather than display. It should provide warmth and proper protection. The dress should be of good quality, of becoming colors, and suited for service. For her to follow closely the prevailing customs of the world is but to reveal a loss of appreciation for her profession and a lack of consecration to her work. Should one do this, she would soon lose the respect and confidence of her patient and of the public in general. O. B. KUHN.