In today’s dynamic healthcare environment, ethical leadership is more than a professional ideal. It’s a critical competency. As the complexity of patient care increases and healthcare systems face unprecedented challenges, nurses are finding themselves at the forefront of decision-making that can impact lives, communities and public trust.
Cultivating advanced clinical expertise while embedding essential ethical principles into every aspect of leadership, care delivery and policy-making is at the core of the online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Designed for working nurses looking to qualify for advanced roles in healthcare, this respected program delivered in a flexible online format enables nurses to develop as leaders while they continue to work.
Why Ethics in Nursing Leadership Matter
Public confidence in nursing ethics has seen a notable dip. In 2023, just 78% of U.S. adults rated the ethics of nurses as “high” or “very high” — a significant drop from 85% in 2019, per Statista. This shift underscores the growing need for advanced practice nurses who do not excel at clinical care but also serve as ethical stewards in healthcare.
The nursing code of ethics serves as a compass, guiding nurses through morally complex situations with compassion and professionalism. Every clinical decision — from patient autonomy to end-of-life care — requires not just technical knowledge, but ethical clarity. And with healthcare rapidly evolving due to global health threats, technological advancement and disparities in care access, nurses must continually adapt their ethical reasoning.
The revised 2025 Code of Ethics for Nurses introduced key updates in response to globalism, racial justice and evolving expectations around nurses’ duty to society. These updates aim to better reflect the realities nurses face today — and emphasize the need for intentional, informed ethical practice at every level of care.
Key Ethical Principles for Advanced Practice Nurses
A DNP-prepared nurse must be adept at applying ethical principles to real-world scenarios. Some of the foundational concepts include the following:
- Autonomy: Respect patients’ right to make informed decisions about their own care, even when those decisions differ from clinical recommendations.
- Beneficence: Take purposeful steps to enhance the quality of life for individuals and populations, particularly the underserved.
- Nonmaleficence: Avoid harm and minimize risks, particularly when making complex treatment decisions.
- Justice: Ensure fairness and equity in care delivery, resource allocation and treatment access.
- Accountability: Take responsibility for one’s professional actions and hold systems accountable for ethical care.
In a DNP program, these principles are not abstract. They are applied to scenarios like leading a multidisciplinary team, addressing health inequities or creating policies that protect patient privacy and data.
Bridging Ethics and Practice in an Online DNP Program
The online DNP program at UMHB equips nurse leaders with the ethical mindset needed to navigate real clinical challenges. The program integrates healthcare ethics directly into coursework and experiential learning.
A standout course — Healthcare Policy, Leadership and Ethics — bridges the gap between theory and practice. It prepares nurses to evaluate ethical frameworks, lead ethically in crisis situations and influence system-wide changes through policy advocacy.
Such preparation is crucial for nurse executives, educators and advanced practitioners who routinely face difficult decisions in today’s healthcare systems. Through case studies, simulations and policy analyses, students in online DNP program learn to:
- Anticipate ethical conflicts and respond with informed, compassionate leadership
- Analyze the broader implications of clinical decisions on population health
- Influence healthcare policy through an ethical lens
- Champion patient rights while balancing institutional goals and resource limitations
The Role of the Nurse Leader in Ethical Policy Making
Earning a DNP prepares nurses to lead efforts that enhance patient care and promote equity while maintaining a strong ethical foundation. Whether implementing new technologies in clinical settings or shaping public health policies, these professionals are equipped to ask — and answer — tough questions, like:
- How do we ensure equal access to care in rural communities?
- What are the ethical implications of using artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical decision-making?
- How do we navigate the tension between protecting public health and respecting individual choice?
As the healthcare environment becomes more complex, nurse leaders are uniquely positioned to influence ethical transformation. By grounding decisions in a robust ethical framework, they play a crucial role in building more just, compassionate and effective healthcare systems.
Lead With Purpose. Learn With Flexibility.
The flexibility of an online DNP program makes it possible for working professionals to advance their careers without stepping away from their current roles. At UMHB, students can pursue their doctorate in a supportive environment while gaining the tools to lead ethically in today’s healthcare landscape.
In a time when public trust in healthcare professionals fluctuated, the need for ethical leadership is greater than ever. A DNP program goes beyond helping nurses elevate their clinical skills to shaping them into the kind of leader who can guide teams, influence policy and advocate for patients with unwavering integrity.
Learn more about the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Online.