Understanding Emergency Nurses’ Ethical Dilemmas in Suicide Intervention

A discussion of the ethical dilemmas confronting emergency room nurses regarding the act of suicide is presented. The lack of societal consensus re. suicide and the inconsistencies relative to value systems, rights and responsibilities add to the interventive dilemma. A phenomenologic study has been designed to describe emergency room nurses responses and effect of these responses on nurses’ self-care needs. Results of the study may aid in helping nurses to overcome these ethical problems.