Virtue Ethics and Nursing Practice

Virtue ethics is an approach that focuses on character with the assumption that a person of good character will tend to behave in ways consistent with their character. A virtue ethics for nursing is therefore concerned with the character of individual nurses and seeks ways to enable nurses to develop character traits appropriate for actions that enhance wellbeing. This chapter offers some insights into the nature of virtue ethics from an Aristotelian perspective and includes an outline of the virtue of phronesis (practical wisdom) which provides guidance in situations where it is not obvious what action would be the virtuous action. Virtue ethics is contrasted with modern ethical theory (deontology and utilitarianism). Some ways in which virtue ethics can enhance professional nursing practice are considered.