Ethical Reasoning in Prescribing and Monitoring Psychotropic Medications.

Traditionally, schools of nursing teach legal and ethical responsibilities at the pre-licensure and advanced practice levels, with emphasis on legal duties and ethical principles. However, involving clinicians in the process of ethical reasoning, a process similar to the scientific method and nursing process, is much less common. The current article describes and demonstrates the steps in ethical reasoning in common situations faced by prescribing advanced practice RNs and psychiatric-mental health nurses. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 57(1), 7-10.].