First discussion: Virtue ethics holds a greater moral impact when compared to ot

First discussion: Virtue ethics holds a greater moral impact when compared to other ethical methods, which may seem more appealing. However, I would argue that consequentialism has practical relevance in my daily life as a professional and as a son and father. As an example, in the field of medicine, particularly as a nurse, safety is of utmost importance. Failure to adhere to safety protocols can lead to severe consequences. While I believe everyone encounters various ethical methods in their lives, consequentialism tends to play a more prominent role in guiding our decisions towards positive outcomes. I firmly believe that ethics should begin at home, with parents teaching their children about right and wrong, as well as the consequences of their actions. One unforgettable experience for me was when I immigrated from Ecuador to the United States, and I observed that students did not show respect towards their teachers. This cultural shock surprised me because my parents instilled in me the value of respect for elders and teachers. Through my personal experiences, upbringing, family life, and community involvement, I have come to understand that every action we take carries consequences. For instance, working hard and studying diligently can result in good grades, while demonstrating a strong work ethic can earn recognition, trust, and credibility. It is unfortunate that ethics often take a backseat in communities. It would be beneficial if schools incorporated ethics into their curriculum. This could potentially reduce levels of violence and improve interpersonal behavior among individuals. It is crucial to acknowledge that ethical orientations and perspectives are deeply personal and can be influenced by various factors, including cultural, religious, familial, and educational backgrounds. These factors shape individuals’ values, beliefs, and the way they approach ethical dilemmas. second discussion: After reading “Reflections on Bioethics” by Penn I have found Deontology to be most appealing to me. Deontology focuses on the actions of wrong and right. This method is based on rules and Decisions are made through the intentions rather than the outcomes. This method would be important as Nurses must act based on what we believe is morally right, regardless of the consequences. As a hospice nurse I typically inform my patients with the truth about their diagnosis progression and/or the severity of it. I believe in the “The good will- The will to do the right thing whatever that is” (Kant’s Categorical Imperative and Deontology). I believe lying to my patients is not going to benefit anyone and will only make my patients distrust me as their nurse. I value doing what is right for the patient, they should know all the information so they can decide for themselves. However rationally, if this action will cause emotional harm or distress to my patient, lying would be more ethical. This can be a difficult situation for a lot of people. How do you choose what would be best for the patient in that situation? Another example would be the political issues that occurred during Covid-19. As Kenn stated “During Covid-19, mask wearing became a political issue. People argued that face masks should be mandatory in public spaces, while others argued that they should be able to choose” (Reflections on Bioethics). A current bioethical topic that I find most interesting would be end of life care. This is interesting to me because I am a hospice nurse. Hospice nurses provide end of life care and are responsible for helping patients transition to the last stage of life comfortably. We are also support for our patients and family members during this difficult time. The most challenging part is when the families are not allowing you to medicate because they are more concerned of the side effects regardless of the education we provide. This is where is gets difficult being the nurse because my morals are telling me this is so wrong but its ultimately the families decision. The focus is the patient comfort and quality of life at this point.