Another important ethical topic is the patient's right to choose autonomy in refusing life-saving medication or treatment. This issue affects a nurse's standards of care and code of ethics. “The nurse owes the patient a duty of care and must act in accordance with this duty at all times, respecting and supporting the patient's right to accept or refuse treatment” (Volinsky). For a patient to make these types of decisions, they must first be deemed competent. Although the patient's choice to refuse life-saving treatment may go against the ethical codes and beliefs of nursing, attempting to coerce them into treatment constitutes an intrusion and would result in legal action. “….the refusal of these interventions may then be considered inappropriate, but in the case of a capable patient, the patient must have the ultimate authority to decide” (Volinsky). Even though my values ​​regarding the value of life and the importance of action may be different from those of others, as a nurse I must learn to put this aside and follow all codes of ethics, whether I have a dilemma with them or not. Sometimes when it comes to ethics there is no right or wrong, but as a nurse we must determine where to draw the line in certain cases. In conclusion, many legal and ethical issues arise in nursing practice. Nurses must study and be as informed as possible about the ethics and legalities in their field to ensure that no errors occur. Ethical questions vary depending on the patient's opinions, religion and environment. Nurses are influenced by these same views, but most of the time they are not the same as patients. As a nurse, we must learn to put the care of our patients and their beliefs, rights and wishes ahead of our own personal interests.