Describe the moral and ethical challenges nurses can face when following hospital policies and protocols.

Nursing staff often have to deal with moral dilemmas when they follow hospital guidelines and procedures. This is because these aren’t always the standards that best serve the patient. For example, they may be asked to implement protocols that could potentially put a patient’s health at risk or limit their autonomy by restricting certain treatments or medications; this can lead to feelings of guilt or frustration which can in turn impact how nurses care for their patients.

Furthermore, there may also be times where nurses feel pressure from other staff members—such as supervisors or doctors—to do something contrary to their own personal beliefs. It is important for nurses in situations such as these to keep in mind that they are bound by both legal and moral obligations to provide quality care. It means advocating what’s best for patients, even if that means breaking policy. Ultimately, all decisions should be made with the goal of doing what’s right.