7 Continental J. Nursing Science 3 (1): 7 - 15, 2011 ISSN: 2141 - 4173 © Wilolud Journals, 2011 http://www.wiloludjournal.com `Printed in Nigeria ETHICAL ISSUE AND NURSING STRATEGIES FOR ACHIEVING PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS IN NURSING EDUCATION Idongesit I. Akpabio Department of Nursing Science, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria Abstract Background: This paper aimed at presenting in-depth information on strategies of implementing ethical decision making in nursing practice and education in the contemporary society. The complex issues in nursing education and practice have ethical implications for the attainment of professional standard. The ability of nurses to engage in ethical practice in everyday work and to deal with ethical situations, problems and concerns could be the result of decisions made at a variety of levels. Sometimes, nurses find themselves trapped in an ethical dilemma and caught between conflicting duties and responsibilities. Ethical-dilemmas require ethical-reasoning and decision -making, which is a skill that could be learned. However, many nurses are ill prepared both in knowledge and in skill to live up to expectations in such circumstances. Conclusion: To achieve professional standard, nurses should ensure acquisition of adequate and relevant knowledge in ethics and ethical decision-making models and promote dialogue on ethical issues in health and educational institutions. Furthermore, advocacy is needed for the elimination of quackery in nursing practice to promote safe, competent and ethical care and practicing nurses should increasingly acquire new knowledge and skills in their areas of practice. Additionally, clients care should continually receive impetus from relevant research findings. KEYWORDS: Decision-making; Dilemmas; Ethical-problems; Ethical-reasoning, Nursing-ethics; Nursing-education; Rights. . INTRODUCTION Nursing in the contemporary society The nursing profession uses regulatory mechanisms, code of ethics and ethical principles to ensure ethical behaviour among the practitioners. The Nigerian nurses, just like their counterparts globally operate under the tenets of the International Council of Nurses’ (ICN) code of ethics. To achieve professional standard, nurses have four fundamental ethical responsibilities, which include promoting health, preventing illness, restoring health and alleviating suffering. These roles are all embedded in the all-embracing definition of nursing as provided by the International Council of Nurses (ICN), (2007): Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, “sick or well and in all settings. Nursing includes the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying people. Advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research, particularly in shaping health policies and in patients and health systems management and education are also key nursing roles”. It is important to state that the ICN is the worldwide voice of Nursing. Nigeria has similarly adopted and endorsed the ICN regulatory role through the code of ethics as it affects the nursing profession (NANNM, 2007). Thus, the ICN code of ethics continues to serve in lieu of national codes and as an international reference for regulating nursing practice to enhance professional standard. Although the ICN definition of Nursing is mostly focused on the roles of nursing, it directs attention to several issues. In the first instance, nursing practice is carried out both at the independent level and as teamwork in