In your role as a PMHNP, you will encounter several situations that will require your ability to make sound judgments and practice decisions for the safety and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. There may not be a clear-cut answer of how to address the issue, but your ethical decision making must be based on evidenced-based practice and what is good, right, and beneficial for patients. You will encounter patients who do not hold your values, but you must remain professional and unbiased in the care you provide to all patients regardless of their socio-demographic and ethnic/racial background. You must be prepared to critically analyze ethical situations and develop an appropriate plan of action. For this Assignment, you review the literature and discover the various ethical dilemmas PMHNPs encounter and how these issues are typically addressed in your state.

PMHNPs face a variety of ethical issues, such as confidentiality, informed consent and boundary violations. They also have to deal with the duty to warn patients, involuntary admissions into hospital, among others. Confidentiality is a critical ethical issue, and PMHNPs must maintain patients’ privacy and protect their health information while complying with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. PMHNPs need to get informed consent before beginning any kind of treatment. This includes ensuring that the patient understands their options, as well as informing them about possible risks and benefits.

PMHNPs should be mindful of the ethical issues that boundary violations can create, including inappropriate or double relationships. PMHNPs have to balance between their obligation to warn their patients of possible harm and respecting their privacy. Finally, PMHNPs must consider the ethical implications of involuntary hospitalization and ensure that patients’ rights are protected.

PMHNPs are required to use ethical principles like autonomy, beneficence and non-maleficence and apply these in specific cases. PMHNPs must also adhere to the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) standards of practice.

PMHNPs are faced with a number of ethical issues that demand sound judgment and critical thinking. They must also adhere to the ethical principles and standards. PMHNPs who are aware of the issues, as well as those situations that require ethical principles, can give their patients safe, ethical, and effective care.