Nursing ethics
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This article raises some questions about the global influence of nursing in the USA and describes some problems that may come about because of it. Selected American values that are embedded in nursing and ethics are found in American nursing education, practice and research. ⋯ One such country is Japan. The discrepancy between national cultural norms and imported ideals of nursing practices can create ethical problems for nurses in these countries.
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People who wish to end their lives when they consider that they cannot endure further pain and suffering cannot legally obtain help to produce a peaceful death. The reality of practice seems to be that, covertly, physician-assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia do take place. The value of personal autonomy in issues of consent has been clarified in the courts in that a competent adult person has the right to refuse or choose alternative treatments even if death will be the outcome. This issue needs open discussion and regulation in order to protect those vulnerable people in our society.