Public Health

Chris S., RN, MSN, is the nursing director at the Hamilton County Health Department. One of his nurses retired recently, and one nurse is currently on a 6-month maternity leave. Although he has advertised the available public health nurse position for the past month, those who have applied have not had the necessary qualifications. The remaining nurses are complaining about being overworked and are threatening to strike if he doesn’t hire a new nurse soon. Chris is faced with the choice of hiring a less-qualified nurse or reducing services to the community

1. How would having an underqualified nurse put the community at risk for harm? Which principle of the ethical practice of public health does this issue address?
2. What steps could Chris take to alleviate the pressure on his overworked nurses without violating any of his ethical duties?
3. Chris decides to hire a new nurse, provided that she is with her nurse mentor at all times. However, Chris is still struggling with staffing issues until his nurse on maternity leave returns in 2 months. Chris is thinking about cutting back the hours of one of the special clinics offered at the health department until the nurse returns. Chris has to choose between cutting back on the sexually transmitted disease clinic or the well-child checkup clinic. What type of decision is Chris facing? And why? Explain.
4.  an ethical issue
5. an ethical dilemma
6. Distributive justice