Final answer:
Nurses cannot resolve an ethical dilemma by taking a vote because it involves resolving conflicting values and principles that require a thorough and multidisciplinary approach.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an ethical dilemma occurs on the unit, nurses cannot simply resolve the dilemma by taking a vote. This is because an ethical dilemma involves the resolution of conflicting values and principles, rather than identifying what people want to do. It is a complex situation that requires careful consideration of all sides, understanding of the values at stake, and often a multidisciplinary approach. Even though care ethics emphasizes understanding all viewpoints, it is recognized that time for debate may not always be available in urgent situations, and decisions can still be perceived as unfair, despite the use of care ethics principles.
Voting might be a democratic process and while it has its place in other areas of societal decision making, it is not always suitable for ethical decisions in medicine. Such decisions often need to go beyond majority rule to ensure that they are ethically sound, just, and favorable to the patient's best interests. This might involve consultations with ethical committees, legal and medical professionals, and the patients and their families, who all contribute to the decision-making process. The very nature of bioethics is an interdisciplinary field that cannot be reduced to a simple majority vote.