ANA Code of Ethics

The provision 8 of the American Nurses Association (ANA)’s Code of Ethics highlights that nurses collaborate with other health care professionals and the local and global community in promoting health. Nurses are committed in fostering the health and well being of individuals and the community. This also includes the broader health needs such as, world hunger, pollution, equity in health care, and human rights. Nurses are also responsible in keeping themselves updated with the health conditions of the community (Nursing World, 2001).

Provision 8 states, “The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public in promoting community, national, and international efforts to meet health needs.” (Nursing World, 2001). Provision 8 taught me that ANA’s goals are not limited to the health and welfare of individuals, but their goals also encompass the welfare of the community through promotion of collaborative work of nurses with other health professionals and the members of the community.

Provision 8 also states, “The nurse also recognizes that health care is provided to culturally diverse populations in this country and in all parts of the world. In providing care, the nurse should avoid imposition of the nurse’s own cultural values upon others.” (Nursing World, 2001). The ANA Code of Ethics does not explicitly define diversity. However, in clinical settings, I strongly believe that I am continually being exposed to people of diverse backgrounds – socioeconomic status, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, etc. As a student nurse and a future nurse, I will set aside my own bias and view my world through a panoramic lens in order to provide quality care with sensitivity to others. As a student ...

... middle of paper ...

... 8 of the ANA’s Code of Ethics explains the importance of nurses’ recognizing diversity and barriers to health, CNA’s Code of Ethics provides a more extensive list of what defines diversity and barriers to health (phrased as determinants of health in CNA’s Code of Ethics). According to CNA’s Code of ethics, diversity comprises, “ethnicity, national origin, race, gender, ability, age, physical characteristics, religion, values, beliefs, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, or life experiences” (2008). The CNA’s Code of Ethics also clearly defines that determinants of health include, “income, social status, social support, education and literacy, employment and working conditions, physical and social environments, biolgy, genetic endowment, personal health practices, and coping skills, healthy child development, health services, gender, and culture” (CNA, 2008).