All licensed personnel were notified 60 days in advance that they must provide a copy of their most recent
license. An email was sent from your office reminding them of the deadline. Human resources posted reminders
on the announcement boards in all the units. The deadline has passed, and upon review, one of the two nurse
practitioners working in the emergency room has not submitted a current license. You are also unable to verify it
online. The one on file expired six (6) months ago.
Discuss the legal and ethical ramifications of this issue.
How will you approach this employee, and what actions will you take?
What guidelines for this situation exist with your state’s nursing board?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Legal and Ethical Ramifications of License Non-Compliance
Thesis Statement
The failure of a nurse practitioner to maintain an active license poses significant legal and ethical implications for both the practitioner and the healthcare facility, necessitating immediate action to ensure patient safety, compliance with state regulations, and the integrity of the healthcare profession.
Introduction
In healthcare, the competency and legality of practice are paramount. Licensed personnel, including nurse practitioners (NPs), must hold current licenses to ensure they meet the standards required for patient care. When a practitioner fails to submit proof of a valid license, it raises serious concerns about legal accountability and ethical responsibility. This essay discusses the ramifications of this issue, approaches for addressing it with the employee involved, and relevant guidelines from the state’s nursing board.
Legal Ramifications
Legally, practicing without a valid license can lead to severe consequences for both the nurse practitioner and the healthcare institution. If a patient is harmed while being treated by an unlicensed practitioner, the healthcare facility could face liability for negligence. The organization may also incur penalties from regulatory bodies for allowing unlicensed practice, including fines or loss of accreditation.
Moreover, the nurse practitioner may face disciplinary action from the state nursing board, which could result in suspension or revocation of their license. Such actions undermine public trust in healthcare providers and can have long-lasting impacts on a practitioner’s career.
Ethical Ramifications
Ethically, the situation presents a conflict between the duty to provide patient care and the obligation to adhere to professional standards. The nurse practitioner has an ethical responsibility to ensure they are qualified to deliver care. Failure to maintain an active license can compromise patient safety and quality of care, leading to ethical breaches that could endanger lives.
Additionally, the actions (or inactions) of the NP reflect on the entire healthcare team and institution, potentially damaging their reputation in the community. Upholding ethical standards is crucial for fostering trust between patients and caregivers.
Addressing the Employee
When approaching the nurse practitioner who has not submitted their current license, it is essential to be direct yet empathetic. The conversation should start with a private meeting to discuss the situation openly. Here’s how to approach it:
1. Create a Safe Environment: Ensure that the conversation occurs in a confidential space where the employee feels comfortable discussing their situation.
2. Clarify Expectations: Clearly state that all licensed personnel were reminded of their obligation to maintain an active license, referencing the previous notifications sent.
3. Seek Understanding: Ask if there were any challenges or reasons for not submitting the updated license. This could provide insight into whether this was a simple oversight or indicative of deeper issues.
4. Explain Consequences: Highlight both legal and ethical ramifications if they continue to practice without a valid license.
5. Discuss Next Steps: Offer support in rectifying the situation, such as assisting them in renewing their license or providing resources for compliance with state regulations.
6. Document Everything: Ensure that all discussions and actions taken are documented for future reference.
Guidelines from the State’s Nursing Board
Most state nursing boards have clear guidelines regarding license maintenance and reporting requirements. Generally, these include:
– Renewal Procedures: NPs must renew their licenses before expiration and provide evidence of continued education requirements.
– Reporting Requirements: If a license has expired, practitioners are often required to report this status to their employer immediately.
– Consequences for Non-Compliance: States typically outline disciplinary actions for practicing without a valid license, including fines, suspension, or revocation of licensure.
In this case, consulting your specific state’s nursing board guidelines will provide clarity on how to proceed with disciplinary measures while ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
Conclusion
The failure of a nurse practitioner to submit proof of a current license demands immediate attention due to its legal and ethical implications. By approaching the situation thoughtfully and in accordance with state guidelines, healthcare administrators can uphold professional standards while fostering an environment of accountability and support. Ensuring that all practitioners are compliant with licensing requirements not only protects patients but also upholds the integrity of the healthcare profession as a whole.
