Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing » (3rd Edition)

Margaret a. Burkhardt, Ph.D., RN, CS, FNP is currently Director of Healing Matters, Beckley WV, and Family Nurse Practitioner at Gulf Family Practice, Sophia, West Virginia. She has practiced holistic nursing for over twenty years, and is an active memeber of the American Holistic Nurses Association. She has published numerous articles and co-authored two books on spirituality and holistic care.

Alvita Nathaniel is a Lecturer at the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center of West Virginia University, School of Nursing.

This textbook for nursing students discusses ethical issues in the nursing profession and presents a model for making decisions about these types of issues. The volume begins with a discussion of ethical theories, models, and principles from classical and contemporary philosophy. A sampling of topics includes the ethical ramifications of such issues as accountability, codes of practice, domestic violence, informed consent, alternative health care traditions, gender issues, and the economics of health care. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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Reviewer:Vicki Ann Moss, DNSc, MS, BSN, RN(University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh)
Description:This book describes and discusses ethical issues from a nursing perspective, taking into account contextual factors such as gender, the social, economic, and political climate, and personal and professional empowerment.
Purpose:According to the authors, this book has four purposes: to acknowledge that each person is a moral agent; to raise awareness of the factors involved in ethical decision making; to present a decision making model to be used to guide moral decisions; and to affirm that nursing is an ethically responsible profession.
Audience:The book is appropriate for both professional nurses and nursing students.
Features:The 20 chapters are grouped into four parts: Guides for Principled Behavior; Developing Principled Behavior; Principled Behavior in the Professional Domain; and Global Issues that Impinge on Nursing Practice. Additions include nurses' responsibility for global issues and discussions of stem cell research and cloning. Included in each chapter are case presentations, and Think About it and Ask Yourself boxes related to cutting-edge issues. There is a Web Tutor Toolbox for instructors and students including e-mail, chat, threaded discussions, PowerPoint and other features as well as an Electronic Classroom Manager for instructors which includes a test bank.
Assessment:This book is meant to be interactive and readers are encouraged to become very engaged while reflecting and questioning personal and professional options and values. It encompasses a myriad of ethical situations, and includes guides to help nurses in making moral decisions. It is an easy read while introducing provocative and stimulating questions for readers to ponder. The book could be used in a classroom or online format and could be adapted for undergraduate as well as graduate education.