RUA
Purpose
For this assignment, you will examine an ethical dilemma that exists in pediatric settings. You will examine the ethical dilemma from two opposing positions and consider ethical principles, conflict between the principles and the relationship of the ANA Code of Ethic’s provisions in relation to both positions. You will also discuss potential resources, possible outcomes of both positions and develop a plan for resolving the issue (for patient, family and the nurse). You will submit an individual paper grounded in scholarly sources with a reflection on your values.
Total points possible: 100 points
Preparing the assignment
Follow these guidelines when completing this assignment. Speak with your faculty member if you have questions.
1) An ethical dilemma with opposing positions will be assigned by your instructor.
2) Although you may not agree with one of the positions, reflect on your views, respect other perspectives, and examine scholarly literature on both positions.
3) When faced with ethical dilemmas, nurses often find conflict or differences in values. It is important for nurses to explore their own values in order to respect other’s values and differences. A section for self‐reflection is included in this assignment as the last page of the paper and it will not be graded for APA style.
4) Write a 3‐5 page paper (not including the title page, reference page, and the reflection) using APA format.
5) Use this link to take you directly to the ANA website to access the Code of Ethics. When prompted, choose “No I do not wish to register at this time. Take me to the Code now.” https://www.nursingworld.org/practice‐ policy/nursing‐excellence/ethics/code‐of‐ethics‐for‐nurses/
6) For APA, formatting, or grammar assistance visit the Writing Center.
7) Include the following sections (detailed criteria listed below and in the Grading Rubric):
TOPIC: Should nurses who missed opportunities to identify abuse be held responsible for the death of a child?
a. Introduction ‐10 points/10%
• Description of the dilemma is clear.
• Statistical significance to Pediatric nursing is included.
• Pro and con positions of the dilemma are presented.
• A brief fictional case is used to illustrate the dilemma.
b. Ethical Principles ‐20 points/20%
• Brief description of ethical principles (may cite textbook).
• Applicable ethical principle(s) to support the pro position are used.
• Applicable ethical principle(s) to support the con position are used.
• Discussion of which, if any, ethical principles are in conflict with the opposing positions.
• Discussion supported by scholarly sources.
c. ANA Code of Ethics Provisions‐ 30 points/30%
• Brief description of the ANA Code of Ethics.
• Appropriate three (3) provisions of the ANA Code of Ethics that apply to the ethical dilemma.
• Discussion of how the chosen provisions of the ANA Code of Ethics help guide the nurse in the ethical dilemma.
d. Outcomes and Plan ‐ 20 points/20%
• Discuss possible outcomes of the pro position.
• Discuss possible outcomes of the con position.
• Present resources available in the community to resolve the dilemma (hotlines, shelters, agencies etc.).
• Explain how resources could help in resolving the dilemma.
• Present a plan for resolving the dilemma (for child, family and nurse).
e. APA Style and Organization – 10 points/10%
• References are submitted with paper.
• Uses current APA format and is free of errors.
• Grammar and mechanics are free of errors.
• At least three (3) nursing, scholarly, peer reviewed, primary sources from the last 5 years, excluding the textbook, are provided.
• One (1) scholarly source must be the ANA Code of Ethics Provisions.
f. Reflection ‐ 10 points/10%
• Last page of the paper after references.
• Reflection of own values and morals as it relates to the ethical dilemma.
• Discussion on possible cultural, social, or religious influences.
Grading Rubric
Criteria are met when the student’s application of knowledge demonstrates achievement of the outcomes for this assignment.
Assignment Section and Required Criteria (Points possible/% of total points available) Highest Level of Performance High Level of Performance Satisfactory Level of Performance Unsatisfactory Level of Performance Section not present
Introduction
(10 points/10%) 10 points 8 points 6 points 4 points 0 points
Required criteria
1.Description of the dilemma is clear.
2.Statistical significance to Pediatric nursing is included.
3.Pro and con positions of the dilemma are presented.
4.A brief fictional case is used to illustrate the dilemma. Includes no fewer than 4 requirements for section. Includes no fewer than 3 requirements for section. Includes no less than 2 requirements for section. Includes no less than 1 requirement for section. No requirements for this section presented.
Ethical Principles
(20 points/20%) 20 points 15 points 10 points 5 points 0 points
Required criteria
1.Brief description of ethical principles (may cite
textbook).
2.Applicable ethical principle(s) to support the pro
position are used.
3.Applicable ethical principle(s) to support the con
position are used.
4.Discussion of which, if any, ethical principles are in
conflict with the opposing positions.
5.Discussion supported by scholarly sources. Includes no fewer than 5 requirements for section. Includes no fewer than 4 requirements for section. Includes no fewer than 3 requirements for section. Includes no fewer than 2 requirements for section. Includes 1 or no requirements for section.
ANA Code of Ethics
Provisions
(30 points/30%) 30 points 15 points 10 points 0 points
Required criteria
1.Brief description of the ANA Code of Ethics.
2.Appropriate three (3) provisions of the ANA Code of
Ethics that apply to the ethical dilemma.
3.Discussion of how the chosen provisions of the ANA
Code of Ethics help guide the nurse in the ethical
dilemma. Includes no fewer than 3 requirements for section. Includes no fewer than 2 requirements for section. Includes no less than 1 requirement for section. No requirements for this section presented.
Outcomes and Plan (20 points/20%) 20 points 15 points 10 points 5 points 0 points
Required criteria 1. Discuss possible outcomes of the pro position. 2. Discuss possible outcomes of the con position. 3. Present resources available in the community to resolve the dilemma (hotlines, shelters, agencies etc.). 4. Explain how resources could help in resolving the dilemma. 5. Present a plan for resolving the dilemma (for child, family and nurse). Includes no fewer than 5 requirements for section. Includes no fewer than 4 requirements for section. Includes no fewer than 3 requirements for section. Includes no fewer than 2 requirements for section. Includes 1 or no requirements for section.
APA Style and Organization
(10 points/10%) 10 points 8 points 6 points 4 points 0 points
Required criteria
1.References are submitted with paper.
2.Uses current APA format and is free of errors.
3.Grammar and mechanics are free of errors.
4.At least three (3), nursing, scholarly, peer
reviewed, primary sources from the last 5 years,
excluding the textbook, are provided
5.One (1) scholarly source must be the ANA Code of
Ethics Provisions. Includes no fewer than 5 requirements for section. Includes no fewer than 4 requirements for section. Includes no fewer than 3 requirements for section. Includes no less than 2 requirement for section. Includes 1 or no requirements for section.
Reflection
(10 points/10%) 10 points 6 points 4 points 0 points
Required criteria
1.Last page of the paper after references.
2.Reflection of own values and morals as it relates to
the ethical dilemma.
3.Discussion on possible cultural, social, or religious
influences. Includes no fewer than 3 requirements for section. Includes no fewer than 2 requirements for section. Includes 1 requirements for section. Includes no requirements for section.
Total Points Possible = 100
THE RESOURCES THAT WILL BE USED:
- Winqust A, Burduli E, Eddy LL, Giardino TL, Fraser J, Leiker CB. Workplace experiences of nurses in their role as child abuse and neglect mandated reporters. Child Abuse Negl. 2025 Mar;161:107250. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107250. Epub 2025 Feb 11. PMID: 39933399.
- Winqust, A., Burduli, E., Eddy, L. L., Landis, T., Fraser, J., & Barbosa Leiker, C. (2024). Associations between nurse characteristics, institutional characteristics and perceived nurse knowledge and self‐efficacy of reporting suspected child abuse and neglect. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 33(7), 2662–2673. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.17026
- Winquist, A., Leiker, C. B., Landis, T., Fraser, J., Eddy, L. L., & Burduli, E. (2023). Development and psychometric evaluation of the reporting suspected child abuse and neglect (RSCAN) scale for United States registered nurses. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 73, e319–e326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2023.09.029
- Heyming, T., Knudsen-Robbins, C., Sharma, S., Thackeray, J., Schomberg, J., Lara, B., Wickens, M., & Wong, D. (2023). Child physical abuse screening in a pediatric ED; Does TRAIN(ing) Help? BMC Pediatrics, 23(1), Article 117. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-023-03927-0
- Letson, M. M., & Lane, W. G. (2023). How should clinicians minimize bias when responding to suspicions about child abuse? AMA Journal of Ethics, 25(2), E86–E93. https://doi.org/10.1001/amajethics.2023.86
- American Nurses Association. (2025). Code of Ethics for Nurses: Provisions. https://codeofethics.ana.org/provisions
- Provision 3 (promote, advocate, protect patient rights and safety): means nurses must advocate for and protect patient safety, so missing signs of abuse can violate this duty.
- Provision 4 (authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice): means nurses are accountable for their own practice, making them responsible for acting when abuse is suspected.
- Provision 1 – The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person. Ties in because child abuse violates the dignity and worth of the child. A nurse’s obligation to respect and protect that dignity includes recognizing and acting on abuse indicators.
- Provision 8 – The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public to protect human rights, promote health diplomacy, and reduce health disparities. Relevant here because child protection is a collaborative, inter-professional responsibility. It supports the idea that preventing harm from abuse isn’t just individual work—it’s also about participating in system-level safeguarding efforts.