Nurses and the Medical Team
Nurses are consistently rated the most trusted profession in the Gallup honesty and ethics poll. Patients seem to recognize the critical purpose and responsibilities nurses fulfill. Historically, however, the nursing profession has had accountability for patient care without the authority nurses needed to advocate on patients’ behalf. As more women become physicians and the egalitarian model of the medical team takes hold, nurses’ voices are being heard and listened to. This month’s contributors examine the ethical dilemmas and changes in professional expectations brought about by the evolving role of registered nurses.