| This study describes the value orientations of nurse managers and the ethical standards they use in resolution of ethical dilemmas. For this qualitative research, 8 nurse managers were interviewed with a series of vignettes presenting an ethical dilemma. Participants had a primarily pragmatic value orientation and used discretionary standards to resolve dilemmas. Factors that influenced resolution of dilemmas included organization values, managers' accountability to patients and staff, and managers' personal values. Nurse managers' accountability to patients and staff is a critical factor in resolution of ethical dilemmas. Managers, for the most part, aligned their values with the organizations' values when resolving dilemmas, which is important to ensure that dilemmas are resolved with a consistent approach. |
