EMH RN Client & Mental Health Team Member Safety Legal & Ethical Considerations

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) emphasizes a collaborative approach where nurses partner with clients to support their recovery. While ensuring physical safety is important, true client care goes beyond safety to include emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Maximizing profits and isolating the client contradict the principles of holistic, client-centered care. The goal is to empower clients and promote self-management in recovery.

Recovery in nursing practice refers to a structured process where patients gradually regain skills, abilities, and independence. This progress must be measurable and consistent rather than random or stagnant. Stagnation and regression do not align with the principles of nursing recovery, which focuses on improvement. The goal is to restore or enhance functioning through planned interventions.

Nurses have the right to a workplace free from bullying, abuse, and violence, ensuring a safe and supportive environment. Promoting bullying or ignoring workplace violence goes against ethical and professional nursing standards. Unsafe working conditions can lead to burnout, emotional distress, and decreased quality of patient care. A healthy work environment fosters professionalism and improves patient outcomes.

Seclusion in nursing refers to the involuntary isolation of a patient to prevent harm to themselves or others. It is a last-resort intervention used in psychiatric and emergency settings to maintain safety. Seclusion is different from voluntary isolation, which a patient might choose for relaxation. A therapeutic environment focuses on engagement rather than forced confinement.

Bullying in nursing involves intentional, repeated hostile behavior that can negatively impact both nurses and patient care. It disrupts teamwork, creates a toxic work environment, and affects mental health. Friendly interactions and professional behavior are essential for a positive workplace culture. Bullying contradicts the nursing principles of respect, civility, and collaboration.

Professional comportment means demonstrating ethical behavior, collaboration, and respect in nursing practice. It ensures that nurses uphold professionalism while interacting with clients, colleagues, and healthcare teams. Ignoring client needs or engaging in unprofessional conduct contradicts the values of nursing practice. Resilience and teamwork are essential components of professional comportment.

Civility in nursing involves showing respect, engaging positively with others, and fostering effective communication. A respectful work environment enhances teamwork, improves patient care, and reduces conflicts. Disrespect, isolation, and ignoring teamwork create a negative work culture that affects both nurses and patients. Civility is a fundamental value in healthcare interactions.

Burnout in nursing is a condition where nurses experience emotional exhaustion, detachment from patients, and a reduced sense of accomplishment. High stress, workload, and lack of support contribute to burnout, leading to physical and mental fatigue. Constant motivation and job satisfaction do not describe burnout—rather, burnout results in decreased motivation and dissatisfaction.

Autonomy in nursing refers to a patient’s right to make informed decisions about their own healthcare. Nurses must respect and support patient autonomy while providing education and guidance. Dependence on others for decision-making and forced decisions violate ethical nursing principles. Respecting autonomy promotes patient-centered care and informed consent.

Nonmaleficence is a fundamental ethical principle in nursing, which means "do no harm" and actively work to prevent harm. Nurses must identify and remove harmful conditions, ensuring patient safety. Causing harm, benefiting from harm, or ignoring unsafe conditions violate the principle of nonmaleficence. This principle guides nurses in making ethical and safe decisions for patient care.