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Personal codes of ethics help an individual determine morality and what is either right or wrong. Personal ethical decisions are first made by determining if conduct is ethically acceptable, then deciding if conduct requires an intervention (Guide, 2010). The Ethical Lens Inventory provided analysis of my personal ethics and highlighted both positive and negative outcomes of those ethics. My personal code of ethics is based upon my morals, strengths, talents and traits that can provide a positive impact on my future.
My personal code of ethics includes being endlessly respectful, kindness, ND always providing my best effort. Treating others with dignity and respect allow for a better appreciation of there view point and understanding of what is being said. Whether it is the hostile manic psychiatric patient or the elderly demented patient, the amount of respect given remains the same. Treating others with kindness can make a huge difference in someone’s life. Being kind can result in the birth of relationships that would have otherwise never developed.
Hard work is a personal ethical code that has been taught down to me by my father. Sometimes you are not the smartest, biggest, or best errors at a workplace. Respect can be earned if you give your best effort and work hard. My personal code of ethics is based upon my strengths and ethical aspirations. Maintaining a good attitude and always remaining optimistic is one my greatest personal strengths. The Ethical Lens Inventory results stated my classical values were prudence and fortitude. Meaning, bring courage, imagination and optimism when obstacles arise (Bard, 2012).
The positive attitude and optimism have served me well numerous times when confronted with conflict in the emergency department. I have ethical aspirations to expand on my personal strength of optimism and add It to my personal code of ethics. Being a constant source of optimism for others is an ethical aspiration, as it can persuade negative outlooks by others in the emergency department into positive. Allowing for the focus of patient care to be centered on what can be done, as oppose to what can’t be done.
Another personal strength that my personal code of ethics is based upon is loyalty. I define loyalty as faithfulness to commitments, relationships and obligations. The Ethical Lens Inventory states my greatest tool for analyzing problems is experience and tradition. Meaning passed experiences and methods are used to solve problems (Bard, 2012). In the emergency department, I am loyal to the traditions and practices of the department when conflict arises. There is a commitment to care and relationship with my patients that I remain loyal to until our time has concluded.
There is an ethical aspiration to expand this value onto others in the department. When there is uniform loyalty in an institution, larger goals can be obtained since common commitments and obligations for success (NASA, 2004). Perseverance is another value that has had a significant positive impact on my life. Perseverance is defined as steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty in achieving success (Dictionary. Com, 2013). I highly value this characteristic due to the success it has provided me at my hospital.
I am fortunate to have been elected by my peers to represent the emergency department on several committees in my hospital. My age, experience and education level are by far the least in all three committees. My incite in discussions was usually ignored or frowned upon by supervision and doctors on the committees. I continued to attend all meetings and provide feedback, even if no one was listening. This continued for several months, until one meeting a doctor continuously brought up topics discussed in the previous meeting and asked me several questions, seeking my feedback.
Since then, I have been an active member of all three committees. Even though am still the youngest, least experienced and lowest educated. Perseverance, loyalty, faith and effort are all character traits that I take pride in. There are several additional behaviors and character traits that wish to expand upon. Leadership is a trait that requires time and experience to develop. Learning how to lead others successfully is important because I am often looked upon for leadership.
As observe and am taught by those leading, hope to develop the character trait as a leader. Another trait I wish to develop further persuasiveness. Having others believe in and you and being able to convince them that your way is the right way is important during leadership. I am open to others opinions and ideals when attempting to solve a problem, but sometimes there needs to be one guiding voice that guides the way. Much like leadership, the character trait of persuasiveness will be developed through observation and education of other leaders.