Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
The american nurses association code of ethics essay
The american nurses association code of ethics essay
Roles and responsibilities of nurse
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: The american nurses association code of ethics essay
Professional Code of Conduct for Nurses
Chantel Findley
Nova Southeastern University
Professional Code of Conduct
The classical term for the word ethics is, moral philosophies that rule an individual’s or group behavior or action. The American Nurses Association used ethics to write the Code of Ethics for Nurses with these values and visions in mind: “(1) As a statement of the ethical obligations and duties of every person who chooses to enter the profession of nursing. (2) To act as the nonnegotiable standard of ethics. (3) To serve as an expression of the understanding on nursing’s commitment to society.” (Nurses Code of Ethics, 2015). With our ever-changing society and healthcare, also comes changes to the American Nurses Association’s code of conduct as well. Nursing is one of the fastest growing professions in the world and the basics of nursing describes it as a career that focuses on, providing protection, education
…show more content…
As an advocate for patients, their information is solely for helping the patient understand their condition more and making the best decisions on their behalf, while in cooperating their beliefs and values (Nurses Code of Ethics, 2015). This also includes not talking about patient’s information with other colleagues, family or friends, unless it’s work related. It’s just like with any other situation, would you mind if your best friend would causally tell your secrets to other local colleagues? It’s a form of disrespect and violation of personal space as an individual. As a nurse advocate for patient it’s also important to make sure you’re a voice as well, for the defenseless groups such as, children, elderly and the mentally ill. It’s vital as well for the nurse to spot and report any form of breachment in confidentiality or morally unjust actions. Being silent can be just as lethal as the one performing the
The main points of provision five of the ANA code of ethics are as follows: section 5.1, which is moral self-respect, suggests that nurses must care for themselves as much as they care for their patients. Nurses must do their best to maintain professional respect to themselves in regards of their competence and moral character. Section 5.2, which is professional growth and maintenance of competence, suggests that nurses must continue to self and peer evaluate themselves throughout their careers. Nurses must continue to learn current, up to date nursing practices through self, peer, and higher education. Section 5.3, which is wholeness of character, suggests that nurses must develop and take into consideration their own moral perspectives when practicing in their careers. Nurses are encouraged to express their moral viewpoint when it is helpful to the recovery of their patients, but must never express moral beliefs based on social stigmas that could negatively affect patient outcomes.
One cannot fake being a nurse, one must be extremely genuine in order to perfect being a nurse; therefore, explaining why nurses enforce and value their code of ethics. The purpose of the code of ethics is to ensure patient safety and implement standard of care by following the nine provisions of ethics. The nine provisions explain the nurses’ responsibility while caring for a patient; for example, maintaining the rights and autonomy of a patient. Another point that the provisions highlight is being the patient advocate, nurses are in the front line of patient care and they must protect their patients. An important guideline that the nine provision emphasize is the need and requirement for nurses to continue with their education to promote beneficent and to avoid maleficent. The National Nursing Association (ANA) states that the nursing code of ethics “reiterates the fundamental and the commitment of the nurse” (Lachman, Swanson, & Windland-brown, 2015). The purpose of this paper is to highlight the obligations and duty of a nurse and why it is important when attempting to maintain standard of care.
A code of ethics provides a standard by which nurses conduct themselves and their practice, observing ethical obligations of the profession and providing quality care. To achieve its purpose, a code of ethics must be understood, internalized, and used by nurses in all aspects of their work” (Aliakvari, 2015, p. 494).
Since you examined the number of moral issues you will face in this profession, look through the code of ethics that you chose for this assignment and explain
The Code of Ethics for Nurses was created to be a guide for nurses to perform their duties in a way that is abiding with the ethical responsibilities of the nursing profession and quality in nursing care. The Code of Ethics has excellent guidelines for how nurses should behave, however; these parameters are not specific. They do not identify what is right and wrong, leaving nurses having to ultimately make that decision. Ethics in nursing involves individual interpretation based on personal morals and values. Nursing professionals have the ethical accountability to be altruistic, meaning a nurse who cares for patients without self-interest. This results in a nurse functioning as a patient advocate, making decisions that are in the best interest of the patient and practicing sound nursing ethics.
According to American Nurses Association (ANA), (2010) “the nurse promotes, advocates for and strives to protect the heath, safety and right of the patient” (p. 6). Nursing responsibilities should be acted at the highest standard and must be based on legal and ethical obligations.
The code of ethics are ethical obligations and duties for every person whom may decide to become a nurse. To practice competently and with integrity, nurses of today must have key elements in place which will guide the profession. Key elements would include licensure, certification, and education and a relevant code of ethics (ANA, 2015). This paper will discuss the Code of Ethics Provisions five through nine.
Nursing may be seen as very independent work even though there will be situations that will require others. Friendships may be formed; however, to have professional interactions is something that is not always followed. In terms of patient confidentiality, we may not realize that a HIPPA violation has occurred due to friendly conversation with coworkers. If a patient were to overhear their nurse discussing their information in an unprofessional manner then it may cause issues with a patient’s dignity and their rights. If a patient’s right is violated then it can lead to a patient’s mistrust in their caregiver, leading to mistrust in the facilities, and can end with a patient’s health being compromised. The patient is the reason for this career; if the needs of the patient are being unmet or violated then the purpose of our occupation will be unsuccessful and
Provision three of the Code of Ethics for Nursing confirms that nurses should be involved in activities that protect the safety and rights of patients (American Nurses Association, 2010). By validating a safe handoff has occurred, nurses are protecting the patients in their care and making every effort possible to minimize mistakes and redundancies in care during the transition. Provision six of the Code of Ethics for Nursing reiterates the obligation of nurses to advocate for safe environments (American Nurses Association, 2010). Without safe handoff communication, transitional mistakes can occur that could potentially lead to patient harm. Therefore, by supporting efforts to implement positive change related to safe communication, nurses are aligning themselves with their nursing professional
Ethics asses the values, morals, and principles of nurses. Legal codes or laws are rules established by our government. It’s important that nurses have a clear and comprehensive understanding of ethical and legal codes within their career. The understanding of these codes is essential for nurses to safely practice and to protect their patients. Nurses must abide by these principles or face the consequences of legal action. These principles include autonomy, utilitarianism, confidentiality, and many others. Autonomy is the agreement to respect ones right to determine a course of action, while utilitarianism is what is best for most people as defined in American Nurses Association. In order to give you a
The nursing code of ethics has a very standard definition. It is the base on how nurses should guide themselves in conduct by making the right decision regarding ethical issues. According to the National Student Nurses Association “students of nursing have a responsibility to society in learning the academic theory and clinical skills needed to provide nursing care” (2003). In the clinical setting nurses have a lot of responsibilities while caring for an ill patient, they have the obligation to practice their profession with compassion, love, and respect the uniqueness of each patient, as nurses we are not supposed to deny care to a patient because of their economic status, their skin color, race, or the nature of health problems, we are here to help the people in need in particular those of susceptible populations. The NSNA states that the code of conduct is based on an understanding that to practice nursing as a student is an agreement that trust and honesty is depended on us by society. The announcement of the code provided direction for the nursing student in the personal development of an ethical foundation and not limited to the academic or clinical environment but can assist in the holistic development of a person. (National Student Nurses Association, 2003)
The four fundamental nursing responsibilities of promoting health, preventing illness, optimizing health and alleviating the ill are represented in the code of ethics. (Arnold & Boggs, 2016) One can say that the code of ethics are rules that a nurse needs to follow in order to effectively communicate and protect the patients. The American Nurse Association provided the code of ethics to guide nurses to ensure that patient’s care, safety, rights and health are well cared for and well managed. Models like Utilitarian, deontological, and the human rights-based all contribute in answering dilemmas that can arise with a patient. Thus, explaining what some of the code of ethics are, and how the code of ethics influence our responsibilities as a nurse will impact the overall care of the
There is need for keeping the information regarding the patients confidential and private since it ensures the protection of the patients from potential harm. The guidelines regarding maintenance of confidentiality of the patient’s information play a significant role in promoting accountability of the nurses and in providing an outline of the responsibilities of the nurses by both the organisation and the
The American Nurses Association created guidelines for the profession including, a set clear rules to be followed by individuals within the profession, Code of Ethics for Nurses. Written in 1893, by Lystra Gretter, and adopted by the ANA in 1926, The Code of Ethics for Nurses details the role metaethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics have within the field (ANA, 2015). Moral obligation for an individual differs within professions than it does within an individual’s personal life, so the code of ethics was written to establish rules within the profession. The moral obligation to provide quality care include the fundamental principles of respect for persons, integrity, autonomy, advocacy, accountability, beneficence, and non-maleficence. The document itself contains nine provisions with subtext, all of which cannot be addressed within this paper however, core principals related to the ethical responsibilities nurses have will be
The code of professional conduct for nurses’ states in conduct statement 2, that a nurse must practice in adherence to the standards of their profession and the health board. In instances where a nurse observes any circumstance that goes against professional standards, or is unethical or unlawful practice, they must report this to the appropriate authorities. Further stated, is that if the issue is not resolved internally that the nurse may notify external authorities in order to safeguard their patients (NMBA, 2008a, statement 2). In this case the witnessing nurse should approach the Registered Nurse (RN) or preceptor for the clinical placement (Charles Darwin University, 2015). The elevation of the situation is important as the hospital needs to know of any breaches in its patient’s privacy. The NMBA code of ethics for nurses (2008b) states in the value Statement 7 that a nurse must ensure that the management of patient information is carried out in a safe and ethical manner. This means that not only are records correct, but the information in the records and any information about patients and their health is kept private and confidential to only the health professionals that require it. Without patient confidentiality there can be no patient confidence in the services rendered by that facility. For