Autonomy entails the ability to make and act upon individual decisions rooted in personal values, free from constraints or interference by others, and the capacity to assume accountability for those decisions. It necessitates access to relevant information, an understanding of the potential outcomes of actions, the ability to make choices, and a proactive mindset. Paternalism, wherein a person in a position of authority imposes their will on someone in a subordinate position, stands in direct contrast to autonomy.

Autonomy serves as a cornerstone for professional conduct and is a fundamental ethical principle in nursing practice. Professional autonomy grants practitioners the freedom to select their courses of action independently, without external imposition, enabling them to make professional judgments in accordance with established norms.

Moreover, nursing is recognized as a profession when it contributes to the recovery, maintenance, and enhancement of individuals’ health, affirming their right to well-being. Therefore, nurses are responsible for utilizing their specialized expertise and skills to address the evolving demands of patient-centered care, collaborating with other disciplines, and taking on new roles with autonomy.

• Freidson, E. (1992). Medical care and expert control (Shindo, Y., & Hozuki, M., Trans.). Seiseisha Kokaku.
• Gorman, L. M., Raines, M. L., & Sultan, D. F. (1999). Nursing manual for psychosocial support: Practice of nursing diagnosis and nursing intervention (Ikeda, A., Arai, Y., & Hashimoto, G., Trans.). Igaku-Shoin.