Gosia M. Brykczynska & Joan Simons 
Ethical and Philosophical Aspects of Nursing Children and Young People 

Ethical and Philosophical Aspects of Nursing Children and Young People

‘A crucially important text, which brings together many different philosophical aspects and ethical issues in children’s nursing practice.’

From the foreword by Fiona Smith, Adviser in Children and Young People’s Nursing, Royal College of Nursing

Nurses and healthcare professionals are constantly faced with ethical and philosophical dilemmas when working with children in everyday practice. Ethical and Philosophical Aspects of Nursing Children and Young People is a comprehensive text on the ethics and philosophy behind paediatric nursing, that reflects some of the contemporary issues encountered while working with children and young people.

This important new book provides a philosophical and historical analysis of the subject, looking at a review of sociological and political theories concerning the nature of childhood, and providing a critical analysis of contemporary notions about childhood. It then goes on to look at moral theories and their application to paediatric nursing practice, ethical issues when caring for children of all ages, from infancy to adolescence. It looks at issues of disabled children, confidentiality, mental health issues, children’s rights, and pain management. With case studies and activities throughout, this book will enable students and newly qualified nurses both to understand philosophical concepts and issues but also to articulate their own reflections and observations on these subjects.

* Written by children’s nurses for children’s nurses.

* With contributions from internationally recognised experts in the field.

* Reflective scenarios, further reading, extensive referencing, case studies, guided questions, and resources throughout.

* Includes the following four appendices: The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Guidelines on withdrawal of treatment; a summary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; The International Council of Nurses Ethical Code; and the RCPCH Guidelines for the conduct of ethical research.

Table of Content

Notes on Contributors.

Foreword.

Preface.

Acknowledgements.

Part I The Philosophical Foundations of Caring for Children
and Young People.

1 Histories and Philosophies of Childhood (Gosia
Brykczynska).

2 Theories of Moral Philosophy Applied to Paediatric Nursing
(Gosia Brykczynska).

3 A Review of Children’s Rights as Applied to Paediatric Nursing
(Jim Richardson).

Part II Ethical Aspects of the Continuum of Care.

4 Beginning of Life: Ethical Issues in Neonatology Nursing
(Amanda Williamson and Julie Mullett).

5 Ethical Issues in Caring for Toddlers and School Age Children:
Ethical Aspects of the Role and Work of the Health Visitor
(Monica Davis).

6 Promoting the Health of School-Aged Children: An Ethical
Perspective (Gill Coverdale).

7 ‘To Be Like the Others’: Children’s Views of Nursing in
Community Settings (Duncan Randall).

8 Care of the Severely Disabled Child: A Moral Imperative
(Vicki Rowse).

9 Ethical Aspects of Care of the Adolescent (Yvonne
Dexter).

10 Ethical and Legal Aspects of Working with Children and Young
People with Emotional and Psychiatric Health Needs (Tim
Mc Dougall).

Part III Ethical Issues in the Acute Care Setting.

11 Children’s Experience of Hospitalisation and Their
Participation in Health-Care Decision-Making (Imelda
Coyne).

12 The Ethics of Family-Centred Care for Hospitalised Children
(Linda Shields).

13 Above All Else do No Harm: An Ethical Evaluation of
Paediatric Nurses Management of Children’s Pain (Joan
Simons).

14 Ethical Aspects in Children’s and Young People’s Cancer Care:
Professional Views (Faith Gibson).

15 Withholding and Withdrawal of Treatment: Ethical, Legal and
Philosophical Aspects of Paediatric Intensive Care Nursing
(Karen Harrison-White).

16 Palliative Care of Children: Some Ethical Dilemmas (Vicki
Rowse and Martin Smith).

Part IV Philosophical Considerations in Professional
Practice.

17 Researching Children and Young People: Exploring the Ethical
Territory (Bernie Carter).

18 Philosophical and Epistemological Aspects of Children’s
Spirituality (Rita Pfund).

19 ‘Are you Sitting Comfortably?’ Storytelling and the Power of
Narratives – A Philosophical Analysis (Gosia
Brykczynska).

20 Who is Shaping Children’s Nursing? (Duncan
Randall).

Appendices.

Appendix I Summary of Possible Situations for Withdrawal and
Withholding Treatment in Children According to the Royal College
of Paediatrics and Child Health Guidelines.

Appendix II United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
(Abridged).

Appendix III Summary of the International Council of Nurses
Ethical Code.

Appendix IV Summary of the Principles for the Ethical Conduct of
Medical Research Involving Children.

Index.

About the author

Dr Gosia M. Brykczynska is senior lecturer in Child Health at Thames Valley University. She was the RCN paediatric nurse representative on the RCPCH Ethics Advisory Committee 1989-2000, and has worked as International Officer at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and RCN Refugee Nurses Project Co-ordinator.

Dr Joan Simons is Assistant Head of Department of Health and Social Care, Faculty of Health and Social Care at The Open University, Milton Keynes. She is external examiner for Children’s Nursing courses at London South Bank University, and is on the editorial board for Journal of Child Health Care.