Discussion Board Assignment: Ethical Leadership and Professional Accountability in Nursing Practice (MSN-FPX6011)

Students participate in a professional discussion exploring how ethical leadership influences decision-making, accountability, and patient care outcomes in nursing. The task encourages reflection on the role of integrity, transparency, and moral reasoning in fostering a culture of safety and trust within healthcare organizations.

Purpose

The purpose of the discussion is to analyze how ethical leadership principles apply to daily nursing practice and to evaluate the impact of professional accountability on patient safety and interprofessional collaboration. Students apply course concepts to real or simulated work experiences and support their perspectives with credible, peer-reviewed evidence.

Instructions

1. Initial Post (Due Wednesday): Choose a recent example from clinical or organizational practice where a nurse leader’s decision had ethical implications. Summarize the situation briefly and discuss how ethical principles and professional standards influenced the outcome. Use at least two scholarly sources published between 2019 and 2025 to support your analysis.
2. Response Posts (Due Sunday): Reply to at least two classmates. Offer additional insight or an alternative perspective supported by scholarly references. Address how the situation could be managed differently to strengthen ethical accountability.
3. Application to Leadership Practice: End your post with a reflection on how ethical leadership behaviors promote professional growth, team trust, and patient safety in nursing environments.

Formatting Requirements

• Initial post: 300–400 words
• Responses: 150–200 words each
• APA 7th Edition format for citations and references
• Professional tone and clear organization
• Minimum of two peer-reviewed references (2019–2025)

Grading Rubric (Summary)

• Ethical Analysis (35%) – Demonstrates clear understanding of ethical leadership principles and applies them effectively to a nursing context.
• Evidence Integration (25%) – Supports arguments with current scholarly literature and connects theory to practice logically.
• Peer Engagement (25%) – Responds thoughtfully to classmates, extending discussion with critical reasoning and supportive feedback.
• Clarity and Professionalism (15%) – Maintains academic tone, organization, and correct APA style throughout all posts.

Successful contributions balance personal reflection with evidence-based reasoning. Students are expected to connect leadership ethics with professional accountability and demonstrate how both principles sustain high standards of nursing practice.

References

• Daly, J., Jackson, D., Mannix, J., Davidson, P. M., & Hutchinson, M. (2020). The importance of ethical leadership in creating a culture of safety. Journal of Nursing Management, 28(6), 1211–1218.
  DOI: 10.1111/jonm.13074

• Gallagher, A., & Tschudin, V. (2022). Educating for ethical leadership in nursing. Nursing Ethics, 29(3), 614–627.
  DOI: 10.1177/09697330211042788

• Storch, J. L., Makaroff, K. S., Pauly, B., & Newton, L. (2019). Developing ethical leadership in nursing: The value of a relational approach. Nursing Inquiry, 26(1), e12275.
  DOI: 10.1111/nin.12275

• Turale, S., & Kunaviktikul, W. (2021). The contribution of leadership to nursing practice and education. International Nursing Review, 68(2), 132–138.
  DOI: 10.1111/inr.12639

• Haddad, L. M., & Geiger, R. A. (2023). Nursing ethical practice and professional accountability. StatPearls Publishing.
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526054/