There are several ethical and contentious nursing topics that can be discussed. Here are a few examples:
- End-of-life care: This is a complex topic that can be fraught with ethical issues. Nurses may be faced with decisions about withdrawing life-sustaining treatment or administering palliative care.
- Assisted suicide: This is a controversial topic that raises many ethical questions. Nurses may be faced with the question of whether or not they should assist a patient in ending their life.
- Abortion: This is another contentious issue that can raise ethical questions. Nurses may be asked to assist in providing abortion services or may have personal beliefs that conflict with this type of care.
- Euthanasia: This is the act of intentionally ending a patient’s life to relieve suffering. It is illegal in many countries and raises many ethical questions for healthcare professionals.
- Genetic testing: With advancements in genetic testing, nurses may be faced with questions about privacy and the potential impact of genetic information on patients and their families.
- Stem cell research: This is a complex issue that raises ethical questions about the use of human embryos for research purposes.
- Medical marijuana: With the legalization of medical marijuana in some states, nurses may be faced with questions about administering the drug and managing patients who use it.
- Patient privacy: With the increasing use of electronic medical records and other digital technologies, nurses may be faced with questions about how to protect patient privacy and maintain confidentiality.
- Nurse-patient ratios: This is a contentious issue that can impact patient care and nurse workload. Nurses may be involved in advocating for safe staffing levels and balancing patient needs with their own workload.
- Mandatory vaccinations: As healthcare professionals, nurses may be required to receive certain vaccinations as a condition of employment. This raises questions about individual rights and public health concerns.