How might this scenario play out or impact you in your role as a nurse practitioner?

Choose a case from the https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/cases and take a position. For this assignment you will evaluate the ethical arguments for or against the issue. Identify the potential legal arguments (consider current federal guidelines), indicate any potential professional code conflicts you foresee, and support your position with an explanation of your own ethical/moral foundation.
Identify the issue and state your ethical position.
How might this scenario play out or impact you in your role as a nurse practitioner?
Defend your position with legal, ethical, and professional evidence.
As part of your position, propose strategies and solutions for addressing the issues.
What other ethical issues does this case bring to light, if any?
Support your position with at least one scholarly source. Be sure to cite the article you choose, use APA format, and include a title page and reference page.
HOW TO ANSWER
I have chosen the case titled “Physician Assisted Suicide: When Is It Ethical?” from the Journal of Ethics by the American Medical Association. The issue revolves around whether it is ethical for physicians to assist patients in dying by prescribing lethal medication. My ethical position is that physician-assisted suicide can be ethical in certain situations when stringent criteria are met.
As a nurse practitioner, this scenario could impact me by challenging my personal beliefs and professional obligations. I may encounter patients who express a desire for physician-assisted suicide due to unbearable suffering from terminal illnesses. Balancing my ethical duty to relieve suffering with legal and professional obligations will be crucial.
Supporting my position, I argue that physician-assisted suicide can be ethically justified when strict criteria, such as a terminal illness with no chance of recovery, unbearable suffering, informed consent, and psychiatric evaluation, are met. This approach aligns with patient autonomy and the relief of suffering, which are core principles of medical ethics.
From a legal perspective, the legality of physician-assisted suicide varies by state in the United States. In states where it is legal, healthcare providers must follow the established legal guidelines and protocols. However, the legal landscape is constantly evolving.
Professionally, the case highlights potential conflicts with the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics. While the ANA emphasizes the importance of patient autonomy and the relief of suffering, it also underscores the nurse’s duty to preserve life. Nurse practitioners must navigate this ethical dilemma by adhering to state laws and guidelines.
To address these issues, healthcare organizations should provide clear policies and protocols for physician-assisted suicide, ensuring that healthcare providers understand their legal and ethical obligations. Interdisciplinary discussions involving physicians, nurse practitioners, ethicists, and legal experts can help develop comprehensive guidelines.
This case also brings to light broader ethical issues, such as the limits of patient autonomy, the role of healthcare providers in end-of-life decisions, and the societal implications of legalizing physician-assisted suicide. These complex ethical considerations require ongoing discussions and research to inform policies and practices.
Reference:
American Medical Association. (2021). Physician assisted suicide: When is it ethical? Journal of Ethics, American Medical Association. https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/physician-assisted-suicide-when-it-ethical/2021-05