Which behavior exemplifies ethical leadership in nursing?

• A. Focusing only on budget cuts
• B. Avoiding responsibility
• C. Authoritarian decision making without input
• D. Demonstrating integrity, accountability, transparency, addressing unsafe practices, and advocating for patients and staff.

Answer: (D)

Ethical leadership in nursing is about modeling integrity and prioritizing patient safety and staff welfare. A leader who demonstrates integrity aligns what they say with what they do, upholding professional values even when it’s challenging. Accountability means owning decisions and their outcomes, following through on commitments, and taking responsibility for actions and mistakes. Transparency involves open, honest communication about decisions, policies, and the reasons behind them, which builds trust within the team and with patients. Addressing unsafe practices shows a commitment to patient protection—speaking up about hazards, reporting concerns, and taking corrective steps. Advocating for patients and staff means actively supporting safe staffing, appropriate resources, and policies that enhance care quality and staff well-being.

Focusing only on budget cuts can compromise patient safety and care quality, sacrificing ethics for cost savings. Avoiding responsibility means shirking duties and accountability, which erodes trust and safety. Authoritarian decision making without input ignores the expertise of the care team and patients, undermines collaboration, and can conceal safety issues. Ethical leadership combines integrity, accountability, transparency, proactive safety actions, and advocacy to create a culture that protects patients and supports the healthcare team.