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Registered Nurses: Ethical Issues With Minors

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Registered nurses are faced with many ethical issues. One such issue deals with minors, or a person under the age of eighteen, and required consent. The laws surrounding consent issues with minors are often assumed and misunderstood. As a nurse, this presents many compelling issues and impacts nursing due to unique and differing situations being presented daily. The issue of whether or not consent is needed prior to a minor having medical treatment can be confusing and present multiple challenges. A nurse who is competent is a nurse who is confident. Being educated in situations that could present themselves involving minors helps prepare a nurse to make good independent and dependent decisions. It also helps prepare a nurse with the knowledge

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