EDAPT ETHICS AND LAW IN LEADERSHIP
Just as the role of the bedside nurse changes after moving into a leadership position, their ethical and legal
responsibilities expand as well. This learning activity introduces those expanded responsibilities of ethical
leadership, healthcare legislation, influencing policy making to promote professional nursing and client safety,
advocating for clients and colleagues, and laws governing the practice of nursing.
Which actions are the legal responsibility of a nurse leader? Select all that apply.
The nurse leader sets the standards for the subordinates to reduce the risk of liability to both the nurse and
the organization, promote client safety, practice within the scope of their state nurse practice act, and create
an environment of diversity and inclusion for clients and colleagues.
The nurse leader must abide by, not enforce (the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [EEOC] is
responsible for enforcing federal laws), federal employment laws. While the nurse leader assumes
responsibility for the care provided by their staff, including verifying each person has the knowledge, attitude,
and skills needed to provide client care safely, each colleague is liable for the care they provide. Therefore, the
nurse leader should create a work environment where each person understands they have some liability for
their actions.
During walking rounds with the charge nurse, a nurse manager notices a staff nurse preparing medications
for two clients at the same time. Which ethical principles should guide the nurse manager’s next actions?
Select all that apply.
The nurse manager should consider the risk of the nurse administering medications to the wrong client
(nonmaleficence) and adhering to professional standards of the nursing profession (fidelity). Before correcting
the nurse preparing the medications, the nurse manager should seek privacy for the discussion
(confidentiality).
The nurse manager should not make decisions for the nurse (paternalism) or consider if stopping the nurse
from putting the clients at risk is not fair (justice) since the overriding principle is to do no harm.