[ANA], 2015) holds nurses accountable for the development of the profes-
sion. For instance, if a student cheated on his or her work during nursing
school, such “unprofessional behaviors developed in school . . . adversely . . .
[affect] the nurse’s ability to properly care for patients” once employed as an
RN (Rhodes, Schutt, Langham, & Bilotta, 2003, p. 28).
At this point in your development, you have begun to build a personal
development file. This will be especially important to you as you seek your
first position as an RN and apply to graduate school. It is desirable to include
a representative picture of your abilities. However, it would be unethical for
you to overstate your capabilities. Records should never be falsified and must
accurately reflect your work history.
As a nurse, you must take advantage of both formal and informal oppor-
tunities for professional growth. For example, your employer might provide
educational benefits. Investigate conferences that will help to establish you as
an expert in your field. Willingly accept responsibility for reporting back to
your colleagues what you have learned.
Nurses have a duty to give back to the profession. All nurses have a responsi-
bility to assist novice nurses to establish their practices. Recall the characteristics
of a preceptor who was particularly helpful to you. Emulate this behavior with
students you encounter. As your career progresses, make it a personal goal to
always be mentoring at least one person. EBP is more likely to thrive in en-
vironments where nurses feel supported and are provided with the resources
necessary to develop both personally and professionally.
- Which of the following are ethical behaviors? (Select all that apply.)
a. Reading journal articles for a club meeting
b. Skipping the afternoon conference sessions to go shopping
c. Providing an accurate and meticulous resume
d. Sharing information at a staff meeting about a new innovation that you heard about
at a conference
e. Ignoring a student assigned to your unit who has a question about a procedure
f. Reporting a nurse who recorded vital signs when in fact they were not
measured
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE 17-3
How did you do? 1. a, c, d, f17.4 Keeping It Ethical 465