Institution: Capella University — School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Program: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) — FlexPath Delivery

Course Code & Title: NURS-FPX4000 — Developing a Nursing Perspective

Assessment Number: Assessment 1 of 5

Assessment Title: Applying Ethical Principles

Assessment Type: Individual Written Paper (FPX Competency-Based Assessment)

Length Requirement: 3–5 pages (body), not including title page or reference page

Format: APA (7th edition) — double-spaced, Times New Roman 12pt, 1-inch margins

Catalog Year: 2025–2026

Prerequisites: Must be enrolled in NURS-FPX4000; first course in BSN FlexPath sequence

NURS-FPX4000 Assessment 1: Applying Ethical Principles

Capella University | BSN FlexPath | NURS-FPX4000 — Developing a Nursing Perspective | 2025–2026

Assessment Overview

Develop a solution to a specific ethical dilemma faced by a health care professional by applying ethical principles. Describe the issues and a possible solution in a 3–5-page paper.

Whether you are a nurse, a public health professional, a health care administrator, or in another role in the health care field, you must base your decisions on a set of ethical principles and values. Your decisions must be fair, equitable, and defensible. Each discipline has established a professional code of ethics to guide ethical behavior. In this assessment, you will practice working through an ethical dilemma as described in a case study. Your practice will help you develop a method for formulating ethical decisions.

Note: The requirements outlined below correspond to the grading criteria in the scoring guide. At a minimum, be sure to address each point. You are also encouraged to review the performance-level descriptions for each criterion to see how your work will be assessed before you begin writing.

Course Competencies Addressed

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies through the assessment scoring guide criteria:

Competency 1: Apply information literacy and library research skills to obtain scholarly information in the field of health care.
- Apply academic peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to an ethical problem or issue as evidence to support an analysis of the case.
Competency 3: Apply ethical principles and academic standards to the study of health care.
- Summarize the facts in a case study and use the three components of an ethical decision-making model to analyze an ethical problem or issue and the factors that contributed to it.
- Discuss the effectiveness of the communication approaches present in a case study.
- Discuss the effectiveness of the approach used by a professional to deal with problems or issues involving ethical practice in a case study.
- Apply ethical principles to a possible solution to an ethical problem or issue described in a case study.
Competency 4: Write for a specific audience, in appropriate tone and style, in accordance with Capella’s writing standards.
- Write clearly and logically, with correct use of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.
- Write following APA style for in-text citations, quotes, and references.

Assessment Instructions

For this assessment, develop a solution to a specific ethical dilemma faced by a health care professional. In your paper:

Step 1 — Select a Case Study and Summarize the Ethical Dilemma

Access the Ethical Case Studies media piece available in your course resources to review the provided case studies.
Select the case most closely related to your area of professional interest and use it to complete the entire assessment.
- Note: The case study may not supply all of the information you need. In such cases, consider a variety of possibilities and infer potential conclusions. Clearly identify any assumptions or speculations you make.
Include the selected case study in your reference list using proper APA 7th edition Style and Format.

Step 2 — Analyze the Ethical Problem Using the Ethical Decision-Making Model

Identify which case study you selected and briefly summarize the facts surrounding it. Identify the problem or issue that presents an ethical dilemma or challenge and describe that dilemma or challenge clearly.
Identify who is involved or affected by the ethical problem or issue.
Access the Ethical Decision-Making Model media piece and use its three components — moral awareness, moral judgment, and ethical behavior — to analyze the ethical issues.
- Apply all three components as outlined in the Ethical Decision-Making Model media.
Analyze the factors that contributed to the ethical problem or issue identified in the case study.
- Describe the factors that contributed to the problem or issue and explain how they contributed.

Step 3 — Apply Peer-Reviewed Evidence to Support Your Analysis

In addition to the readings provided in the course, use the Capella University Library to locate at least one academic peer-reviewed journal article relevant to the ethical problem or issue.
- Use the How Do I Find Peer-Reviewed Articles? library guide to locate appropriate references.
- Cite and apply key principles from the journal article as evidence to support your critical thinking and analysis of the ethical problem or issue.
Review the Think Critically About Source Quality resource before selecting your source:
- Assess the credibility of the information source.
- Assess the relevance of the information source to the specific case and ethical problem.

Step 4 — Evaluate Communication Approaches in the Case Study

Describe how the health care professional in the case study communicated with others.
Assess instances where the professional communicated effectively or ineffectively.
Explain which communication approaches should be used and which ones should be avoided.
Describe the consequences of using effective versus non-effective communication approaches in this type of ethical situation.

Step 5 — Assess the Professional’s Response to the Ethical Problem

Describe the actions taken in response to the ethical dilemma or issue presented in the case study.
Summarize how well the professional managed professional responsibilities and priorities to resolve the problem or issue in the case.
Discuss the key lessons this case provides for health care professionals working in today’s complex care environments.

Step 6 — Apply Ethical Principles to Propose a Solution

Describe the proposed solution to the ethical dilemma.
Discuss how the approach makes the professional more effective or less effective in building relationships across disciplines within the organization.
Discuss how likely the proposed solution is to foster professional collaboration among the health care team.

Step 7 — Write Clearly Using APA Format

Apply the principles of effective academic composition, including clear thesis development, logical paragraph structure, and coherent transitions.
Determine the proper application of the rules of grammar and mechanics throughout the paper.
Apply APA 7th edition formatting requirements for in-text citations, direct quotations, and the reference page.
Integrate information from outside sources into your academic writing by appropriately quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing, in accordance with APA style.

Additional Requirements

Length: 3–5 typed, double-spaced pages (body only), not including the title page or reference page.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
Margins: 1 inch on all sides.
Title page: Required; follow APA 7th edition format (course name, course code, student name, instructor name, date).
Reference page: Required; list all sources in APA 7th edition format with hanging indents, alphabetical order, and correct DOI/URL.
APA Template: Use the APA Style Paper Template [DOCX] provided in course resources as your paper format, and the APA Style Paper Tutorial [DOCX] for guidance.
References: At minimum, cite the selected case study and one current scholarly or academic peer-reviewed journal article published within the past 3–5 years.
Written communication: Write clearly and logically, with correct use of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics throughout.
Submission: Submit via the Assessment 1 activity link in the course room. Two attempts are available. Review your scoring guide feedback carefully before submitting a second attempt.

Assessment Scoring Guide (Rubric)

This assessment is scored on a four-level scale: Distinguished | Proficient | Basic | Non-Performance. A score of Proficient or above is required for competency demonstration in FlexPath.

Criterion	Distinguished	Proficient	Basic	Non-Performance
Criterion 1: Summarize the facts in a case study and use the three components of an ethical decision-making model to analyze an ethical problem or issue and the factors that contributed to it. (Competency 3)	Summarizes the facts in a case study and uses the three components of an ethical decision-making model to analyze an ethical problem or issue and the factors that contributed to it, providing insightful analysis and clearly reasoned conclusions supported by evidence. Acknowledges any assumptions made when case information is incomplete.	Summarizes the facts in a case study and uses the three components of an ethical decision-making model to analyze an ethical problem or issue and the factors that contributed to it. All three model components (moral awareness, moral judgment, ethical behavior) are applied with accuracy and relevance.	Inadequately summarizes the facts in a case study or incompletely uses the three components of an ethical decision-making model to analyze an ethical problem or issue and the factors that contributed to it. One or more components is omitted or applied incorrectly.	Does not summarize the facts in a case study or use the three components of an ethical decision-making model to analyze an ethical problem or issue and the factors that contributed to it.
Criterion 2: Apply academic peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to an ethical problem or issue as evidence to support an analysis of the case. (Competency 1)	Applies academic peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to an ethical problem or issue as evidence to support an analysis of the case with exceptional accuracy and in a way that meaningfully advances the argument. Critically evaluates both the credibility and relevance of the selected source(s).	Applies academic peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to an ethical problem or issue as evidence to support an analysis of the case. Source is current (published within 3–5 years), peer-reviewed, credible, and relevant to the specific ethical issue analyzed.	Applies information from sources that are not academic peer-reviewed journals, or applies sources that are not relevant to the ethical problem or issue, or applies sources without assessing their credibility or relevance.	Does not apply academic peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to an ethical problem or issue as evidence to support an analysis of the case.
Criterion 3: Discuss the effectiveness of the communication approaches present in a case study. (Competency 3)	Discusses the effectiveness of the communication approaches present in a case study with nuanced insight. Identifies specific examples of effective and ineffective communication, explains the rationale clearly, addresses consequences, and provides well-justified recommendations supported by evidence or professional standards.	Discusses the effectiveness of the communication approaches present in a case study. Identifies specific instances of effective or ineffective communication by the health care professional, explains which approaches should be used or avoided, and describes consequences of each.	Discusses communication approaches present in a case study, but the discussion is incomplete, lacks examples, fails to address consequences, or does not clearly differentiate between effective and ineffective communication.	Does not discuss the effectiveness of the communication approaches present in a case study.
Criterion 4: Discuss the effectiveness of the approach used by a professional to deal with problems or issues involving ethical practice in a case study. (Competency 3)	Discusses the effectiveness of the approach used by a professional to deal with problems or issues involving ethical practice in a case study with critical depth. Evaluates specific decisions made, articulates the professional responsibilities at stake, and extracts key lessons with broader implications for health care practice, supported by evidence.	Discusses the effectiveness of the approach used by a professional to deal with problems or issues involving ethical practice in a case study. Describes the actions taken, evaluates how well professional responsibilities were managed, and identifies key lessons for health care professionals.	Discusses the professional’s approach to the ethical issue but does so incompletely — for example, omitting an evaluation of professional responsibilities, failing to describe the actions taken, or not identifying lessons for practice.	Does not discuss the effectiveness of the approach used by a professional to deal with problems or issues involving ethical practice in a case study.
Criterion 5: Apply ethical principles to a possible solution to an ethical problem or issue described in a case study. (Competency 3)	Applies ethical principles (autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice) to a possible solution to an ethical problem or issue with exceptional clarity and depth. Clearly describes the proposed solution, thoughtfully evaluates its impact on interdisciplinary relationships, and provides a well-supported, realistic assessment of its potential to foster professional collaboration.	Applies ethical principles to a possible solution to an ethical problem or issue described in a case study. Clearly describes the proposed solution, discusses how the approach affects interdisciplinary relationships, and addresses the likelihood that the solution will foster professional collaboration.	Applies ethical principles to a possible solution but does so without adequate depth, misidentifies applicable ethical principles, or provides a proposed solution without connecting it clearly to the ethical framework or to interdisciplinary collaboration.	Does not apply ethical principles to a possible solution to an ethical problem or issue described in a case study.
Criterion 6: Write clearly and logically, with correct use of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics. (Competency 4)	Writes with superior clarity, logic, and precision. Sentences are well-constructed, varied, and purposeful. Writing is essentially free of errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics. Academic tone is maintained consistently throughout.	Writes clearly and logically, with correct use of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics. Demonstrates effective composition with a clear thesis, organized body paragraphs, and a cohesive conclusion. Minor errors do not impede readability.	Writes with adequate clarity and logic in some areas but includes multiple errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, or mechanics that occasionally impede readability. Organizational structure is present but inconsistently applied.	Does not write clearly or logically. Contains pervasive errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics that significantly impede comprehension.
Criterion 7: Write following APA style for in-text citations, quotes, and references. (Competency 4)	Applies APA 7th edition style with accuracy and consistency throughout the paper. In-text citations, direct quotations, and the reference page are formatted correctly. Paraphrasing and quotation are used appropriately and skillfully to integrate sources without disrupting the flow of the writing.	Writes following APA style for in-text citations, quotes, and references. Integrates information from outside sources appropriately by quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing in accordance with APA style. Reference page entries are formatted correctly.	Attempts to follow APA style for in-text citations, quotes, and references but does so inconsistently. Errors are present in formatting citations, reference page entries, or integration of outside sources.	Does not follow APA style for in-text citations, quotes, and references. No APA formatting is present, or sources are not cited.

FlexPath Scoring Note: In Capella’s FlexPath model, competency demonstration — not a numeric grade — determines academic progress. A rating of Proficient or Distinguished on all criteria confirms competency and allows progression. A rating of Basic or Non-Performance on any criterion requires a revised submission (Attempt 2). Learners are strongly encouraged to review the scoring guide before drafting and to use the writing center and Smarthinking tutoring services where needed.

Applying Ethical Principles in Nursing Practice

Ethical dilemmas in health care rarely arrive with clear-cut answers, and nurses occupy one of the most morally complex positions in any care environment — expected to honor patient autonomy, prevent harm, act in the patient’s best interest, and uphold justice, often simultaneously and under significant time pressure. A structured approach to ethical reasoning is not a luxury but a professional necessity, and the three-component ethical decision-making model — moral awareness, moral judgment, and ethical behavior — gives practitioners a replicable framework for working through cases where competing obligations collide. When a patient refuses a life-extending intervention on the basis of personal belief, the nurse must first recognize the ethical tension present (moral awareness), then deliberate about which principles and professional duties apply most directly to the situation (moral judgment), before acting in a manner that respects both legal mandates and professional codes (ethical behavior). Numminen et al. (2019) found that ethical competence in nursing is significantly associated with the ability to identify moral problems before they escalate, suggesting that structured education in decision-making frameworks directly improves patient outcomes and reduces moral distress among clinical staff. The principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice serve as both diagnostic tools and moral anchors, allowing nurses to articulate a defensible rationale for their decisions to patients, families, and interdisciplinary colleagues alike.

Scholarly References

Use these as a starting point for your library search — supplement with the Capella Library databases (CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO) for additional peer-reviewed sources specific to your chosen case topic.

Numminen, O., Repo, H., & Leino-Kilpi, H. (2019). Moral courage in nursing: A concept analysis. Nursing Ethics, 27(1), 38–52. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733018791351

Rainer, J., Schneider, J. K., & Lorenz, R. A. (2018). Ethical dilemmas in nursing: An integrative review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(19–20), 3446–3461. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14360

Ulrich, C. M., Hamric, A. B., & Grady, C. (2020). Ethical conflicts associated with patient care: Frequency, intensity, and the nurse practitioner’s response. Nursing Ethics, 27(3), 843–858. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733019880357

Varkey, B. (2021). Principles of clinical ethics and their application to practice. Medical Principles and Practice, 30(1), 17–28. https://doi.org/10.1159/000509119

White, C., & Dorroh, K. (2024). Moral distress and ethical practice among registered nurses: A mixed-methods study. Nursing Ethics, 31(2), 189–205. https://doi.org/10.1177/09697330231196682

NURS-FPX4000 Assessment 1 Using the Ethical Decision-Making Model