An Ethics Lens for Nursing Leadership

Abstract

Abstract With the innumerable skills required for the nursing leadership role, the demands of the work, and conflicting obligations, it is no wonder that an ethical lens can be so easily lost. Yet ethics is so central to every decision that is made, it should be the filter that is incorporated consistently. When ethics becomes the vista—whether considering the myriad of ethical conflicts, hiring practices, budgeting, limited resources, ethics supports, policy, motivational practices, or supporting the nurses’ voice—one has an opportunity to create an ethical environment. A leadership practice that utilizes a habituated ethics perspective may be more complex and may require a greater upfront effort. However, it will also be extraordinarily rich and will provide for outcomes that establish a foundation of thoughtful and ethically based governance. One’s own voice must walk the fine line of role modeling ethical mindfulness, owning moral authority, and acting with responsible courage. In firmly representing nursing’s core values, one has the opportunity and the responsibility to create the milieu that empowers moral agency. In this way, one honors nursing’s commitment to the profession that cherishes the moral obligations of caring for the sick and promoting health and well-being.