NURS-FPX4000: Developing a Nursing Perspective – Assessment 3: Applying Ethical Principles

Assessment Overview

In this assessment, you will analyze an ethical dilemma in healthcare using established ethical decision-making principles. The task requires you to review a case study, identify the ethical issues involved, apply relevant ethical frameworks, and propose a resolution supported by scholarly sources. This builds on foundational nursing perspectives by emphasizing moral reasoning in professional practice.

The paper should be 3-5 pages long (excluding title and reference pages), formatted in APA style, and demonstrate clear, scholarly writing.

Competencies Measured

This assessment evaluates your ability to:

• Summarize the facts of an ethical case study.
• Apply the four core ethical principles (autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice) to analyze dilemmas.
• Use ethical decision-making models to evaluate issues and contributing factors.
• Propose effective communication strategies for resolving ethical conflicts.
• Support analysis with credible, peer-reviewed evidence.

Instructions

1. Select or Use Provided Case Study: Choose one ethical scenario commonly encountered in nursing, such as confidentiality breaches, end-of-life decisions, resource allocation, or informed consent issues. Alternatively, use a case provided in course resources.
2. Summarize the Case: Present the key facts objectively, including involved parties and the core dilemma.
3. Analyze the Ethical Problem:
   • Identify the moral issues and conflicts.
   • Apply ethical principles to the situation.
   • Discuss factors contributing to the dilemma (e.g., organizational policies, cultural differences, resource limitations).
4. Evaluate Possible Solutions: Assess options using an ethical decision-making model (e.g., the MORAL model or similar framework).
5. Propose a Resolution: Recommend a course of action, explaining how it aligns with ethical principles and promotes patient-centered care.
6. Address Communication: Describe approaches for discussing the issue with stakeholders while maintaining professionalism and empathy.

Formatting and Submission Requirements

• Use APA format for citations and references.
• Include at least 3-4 scholarly sources published within the last 5 years.
• Write in a professional, third-person tone.
• Ensure originality; submissions will be checked for plagiarism.

Grading Criteria

The rubric focuses on depth of analysis, application of ethical concepts, use of evidence, clarity of writing, and adherence to APA standards.

Capella University’s NURS-FPX4000 course prepares nursing students for real-world ethical challenges in healthcare delivery. This 2025 assessment emphasizes evidence-based moral reasoning essential for BSN-level practice. Developing strong ethical decision-making skills supports high-quality, patient-centered nursing care in diverse settings.

Suggested References (Harvard Format)

• Beauchamp, T. L. and Childress, J. F. (2019) Principles of biomedical ethics. 8th edn. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Butts, J. B. and Rich, K. L. (2022) Nursing ethics: across the curriculum and into practice. 6th edn. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Grace, P. J. and Milliken, A. (2021) ‘Ethical leadership by advanced practice nurses’, Nursing Outlook, 69(5), pp. 788-796.
• Levitt, D. H. and Moorhead, H. J. H. (2020) ‘Values and ethics in counseling: real-life ethical decision making’, Journal of Counseling & Development, 98(3), pp. 307-318.
• Haddad, L. M. and Geiger, R. A. (2023) ‘Nursing ethical considerations’, in StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526054/ (Accessed: 15 December 2025).