Aim To propose the necessity of fostering ethical leadership in the recovery of COVID‐19. Background Supporting physically and emotionally exhausted nurses, whilst ensuring quality standards of care delivery in the recovery phase of COVID‐19, requires careful, considerate and proactive planning. Evaluation Drawing on literature and utilizing Lawton and Paez Gabriunas’ (2015) integrated ethical leadership framework (purpose, practices, virtues), possible practical suggestions for the operationalization of ethical leadership are proposed. Discussion Nurse managers must maintain ethical vigilance in order to nurture value‐driven behaviour, demonstrating empathy and compassion for nurses experiencing physical and emotional exhaustion because of COVID‐19. It is important that open dialogue, active listening and self‐care interventions exist. Nurse managers have an essential role in inspiring and empowering nurses, and building morale and a collective commitment to safe and quality care. Conclusion Nurse managers need to consider ways of empowering, supporting and enabling nurses to apply ethical standards in everyday practice. Implications for Nursing Management Fostering ethical nurse leadership requires careful and sensitive planning, as well as charismatic, compassionate and inspirational leaders. Supporting staff through respect, empathy, role modelling and genuine conscientiousness is essential for increasing job performance and sustaining an ethical work environment.

893Rev Bras Enferm, Brasília 2012 nov-dez; 65(6): 893-8. ReSUmO Estudo reflexivo com o objetivo de apresentar, na perspectiva dos direitos humanos, elementos relevantes para o cuidado de enfermagem na defesa dos sujeitos no contexto do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) brasileiro. A saúde como um direito de todos e um dever do Estado materializou-se como uma conquista da população com o SUS, com os princípios de universalidade, integralidade e equidade da atenção em saúde, ampliando a concepção de saúde para além da ausência de doença e passando a ser entendida como qualidade de vida. O enfermeiro tem grande potencial para desempenhar um papel singular na defesa do direito à saúde e do direito à vida e, por meio de alianças, fortalecer o exercício da cidadania das pessoas. descritores: Enfermagem; Direito à Saúde; Integralidade. aBStRaCt This reflexive study aimed at presenting, based on the human rights framework, relevant elements for nursing care in the defense of the users of the Brazilian Single Health System (SUS). The assurance of health as a fundamental right and a government´s responsibility was an achievement of the population through SUS, founded on the principles of universal, integral and equitable care, expanding the conception of health beyond the idea of the lack of disease, understood as quality of life. Nurses have a potential to perform a single role in the defense of the right to health and right to life and, by means of different partnerships, to strengthen the exercise of citizenship. Key words: Nursing; Right to Health; Integrality. AUTORES CONVIDADOS ReSUmeNEstudio reflexivo con el objetivo de presentar, en la perspectiva de los derechos humanos, elementos relevantes para el cuidado de enfermería en la defensa de los sujetos en el contexto del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) brasileño. La salud como un derecho de todos y un deber del Estado se ha consolidado como una conquista de la población con él SUS, con los principios de universalidad, integralidad y equidad de atención en salud, ampliando la concepción de salud para además de ausencia de enfermedades y que pasó a ser comprendida como calidad de vida. El enfermero tiene grande potencial para desarrollar un rol singular en la defensa del derecho a salud y del derecho a vida y, por medio de alianzas, fortalecer el ejercicio de la ciudadanía de las personas. Palabras clave: Enfermería; Derecho a Salud; Integralidad. aliança da enfermagem com o usuário na defesa do SUSNursing partnership with users in the defense of SUS Alianza de la enfermería con el usuario en la defensa del SUS Carla aparecida arena ventura

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