Society, policy and practice - Reflection - The aim of this assignment is to reflect on an issue from placement which is relevant to the theoretical content of this semester.

I returned to the ward manager's office, and explained to my mentor and the ward manager the outcomes of the assessment. It was the ward manager who then asked my opinion in what should be done next. I was concerned that it was a Friday afternoon, and I was aware that Bill lived alone. Respecting what Bill had said, and knowing that he had a lot of support through his community psychiatric nurse (CPN), I felt it would be the wrong decision to admit him. I felt that with extra support over the weekend from the out of hour's service, until his return to the unit on the Monday, Bill would be able to manage at home. The ward manager supported what I said and after a short discussion, asked me if I would contact his CPN, explain the situation and make the necessary arrangements, which I did.

I did get the chance to speak to Bill again that afternoon just before he left, and we discussed the decision that had been made about his care. He said he was grateful that I had taken the time to listen.

Feelings

On reflection of the matter I felt that I had acted in the best interests of the client in line with the NMC (2002), whilst also respecting the client's wishes (which I feel, is important to do, as much as feasible). I had found myself, unanticipated, in a moral dilemma; one which I am aware is surrounded by many policies and ethical considerations. Not a very good time to realize that my knowledge on the subject was somewhat lacking.

As I began to think more about the matter I began asking myself does there not come a time when we can no longer justify treatment? Are we right to intervene against a patients wishes?

I tried to imagine how Bill may have felt, but I feel to know that, one would need to be there, in that situation. One thing that I can be reasonably sure of is how I would feel if my wishes surrounding my life were disregarded. I felt that because Bill had insight into his illness, he was making what he felt to the best decision with regards to his future.

Evaluation

The main priority in the situation was Bill's safety. Although Bill had made a rational decision to end his own life (if there is such a thing), it was a decision that as professionals we could not support. Whilst trying to respect bill's autonomy, there was also our professional responsibility which had to be adhered to.

I respected Bills wishes that he did not wish to be admitted to the ward (how could I justify taking away his freedom), but felt that I could not justify not intervening in some form, so although I decided to let Bill return home, extra support was put in place over the next 48 hours.

It meant a lot to me that the decision I made was supported by the qualified members of staff within the unit. My judgment was not questioned and the qualified staff treated me as a valued member of their team, which I feel gave me the greatest opportunity to develop my confidence (it really makes a difference when you're not just the student being sent on errands, but someone who is listened to).

This experience has also made me question my own values and beliefs, which I have had to balance against my professional responsibility.

Analysis

But who should decide whether a life is worth living?

There are many different beliefs that surround suicide; it is a fundamental issue in ethics, as it can be seen to relate to such terms as the 'sanctity of life' and 'autonomy' (Robinson, 1999). So what is the right thing to do? Should life be preserved at all costs? Or should be respect the choice who an individual who wishes to end his own life? Dependent upon which ethical theory we choose to look at, we could justify both outcomes.

But what about, 'quality of life'? This is another tricky one, as how can anyone know for sure what 'quality of life' means to another person (Battin 1996). In Bill's case he was aware of his deteriorating quality of life (and also made me aware of it). The NMC Code of Professional Conduct (2002) states that "as a registered nurse you must respect the patient or client as an individual", and "...promote the interests and dignity of patients and clients..." Bill felt he was loosing his dignity (due to the nature of his illness), his independence, and he did not wish to continue until his body finally gave up. He wanted to end his own life while he still had some amount of dignity. What rights does any individual have to deny such rights to another? There is an argument from the point of view of ethical egoism, that should suicide be beneficial to the individual then it is justifiable (Thompson, 2000).

To stand back and not intervene and allow Bill to take his own life would have been inherently wrong from a deontological point of view; also as a nurse I would not have been acting in accordance with standards of professional practice which I am accountable. But should I have been left unsupervised in my role as a student?

Conclusion

It does concern me that if we were to keep an animal, that was in pain, and to which death was inevitable, wouldn't we be considered cruel? The animal would be put to sleep to prevent such cruelty. Yet this is what is professionally expected of us, to preserve life at all costs, our duty of care towards our clients (John, 1998)

Having further reflected on this experience, I still feel that the decision I made was the right one, under those circumstances. Bill did return to the unit the following week, I had succeeded in my role of 'preserving life', whilst respecting Bill's wishes to remain at home.

Although I feel I made the right decision (to intervene and preserve life), I still have to accept the longer term consequences are my actions. Bill will continue to attend the day unit, probably until he dies. I will probably see him loose control over his own actions and may one day have to feed him or perhaps change his incontinence pad. Knowing how he would be so ashamed if he was aware of what was happening.

Action Plan

Although this has been the first time that I had found myself having to make such a decision, I know that I will come across moral dilemmas similar to this again. I may find that whilst in a similar situation in the future that my actions this time will not be permissible. It will be then I will have to reflect on knowledge and experience gained in order to facilitate a decision.

I have found an area here that interests me greatly, one which I have already begun to look at in depth. I plan to continue reading literature relevant to the subject, so that in the future I am able to provide moral justification for my actions, not only to others but to myself (I have many questions of my own I need to find answers to).

For those people who would prefer to end their lives rather than loose their dignity and independence, do we really have the right to intervene against their final wishes? This leads us to the issue of informed consent, one which I have not discussed within this piece of work, which is an area that I plan to look at in relation to this topic.

Referencing

Battin, M., Pabst, M. (1996) The Deathdebate : ethical issues in suicide London, Prentice Hall.

Boud, D. et al (1985) Reflection; Turning Experience into Learning London, Kogan Page.

John, C. (1995) Framing Learning through reflection within Carper's ways of knowing in nursing Journal of Advanced Nursing Vol.22 No.2 pp226-234.

John, C., Freshwater, D. (1998) Transforming Nursing through Reflective Practice London, Blackwell Science.

NMC (2002) Code of Professional Conduct Nursing and Midwifery Council, London

Robinson, D., Garratt, C. (1999) Introducing Ethics London, Icon Books.

Thompson, M. (2000) Teach Yourself Ethics London, Hodder Headline PLC.