CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES

THE ICN CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES

An international code of ethics for nurses was first

adopted by the International Council of Nurses (ICN)

in 1953. It has been revised and reaffirmed at various

times since, most recently with this review and

revision completed in 2012.

PREAMBLE

Nurses have four fundamental responsibilities: to promote

health, to prevent illness, to restore health and to alleviate

suffering. The need for nursing is universal.

Inherent in nursing is a respect for human rights, including

cultural rights, the right to life and choice, to dignity and to

be treated with respect. Nursing care is respectful of and

unrestricted by considerations of age, colour, creed, culture,

disability or illness, gender, sexual orientation, nationality,

politics, race or social status.

Nurses render health services to the individual, the family and

the community and coordinate their services with those of

related groups.

THE ICN CODE

The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses has four principal

elements that outline the standards of ethical conduct.

ELEMENTS OF THE CODE

1. Nurses and people

The nurse’s primary professional responsibility is to people

requiring nursing care.

In providing care, the nurse promotes an environment in which

the human rights, values, customs and spiritual beliefs of the

individual, family and community are respected.

The nurse ensures that the individual receives accurate,

sufficient and timely information in a culturally appropriate

manner on which to base consent for care and related

treatment.

The nurse holds in confidence personal information and uses

judgement in sharing this information.

The nurse shares with society the responsibility for initiating

and supporting action to meet the health and social needs of

the public, in particular those of vulnerable populations.

The nurse advocates for equity and social justice in resource

allocation, access to health care and other social and

economic services.

The nurse demonstrates professional values such as

respectfulness, responsiveness, compassion, trustworthiness

and integrity.

2. Nurses and practice

The nurse carries personal responsibility and accountability

for nursing practice, and for maintaining competence by continual

learning.

The nurse maintains a standard of personal health such that the

ability to provide care is not compromised.

The nurse uses judgement regarding individual competence when

accepting and delegating responsibility.

The nurse at all times maintains standards of personal conduct

which reflect well on the profession and enhance its image and

public confidence.

The nurse, in providing care, ensures that use of technology and

scientific advances are compatible with the safety, dignity and

rights of people.

The nurse strives to foster and maintain a practice culture

promoting ethical behaviour and open dialogue.

3. Nurses and the profession

The nurse assumes the major role in determining and

implementing acceptable standards of clinical nursing practice,

management, research and education.

The nurse is active in developing a core of research-based

professional knowledge that supports evidence-based practice.

The nurse is active in developing and sustaining a core of

professional values.

The nurse, acting through the professional organisation,

participates in creating a positive practice environment and

maintaining safe, equitable social and economic working

conditions in nursing.

The nurse practices to sustain and protect the natural

environment and is aware of its consequences on health.

The nurse contributes to an ethical organisational environment

and challenges unethical practices and settings.

4. Nurses and co-workers

The nurse sustains a collaborative and respectful relationship

with co-workers in nursing and other fields.

The nurse takes appropriate action to safeguard individuals,

families and communities when their health is endangered

by a co-worker or any other person.

The nurse takes appropriate action to support and guide

co-workers to advance ethical conduct.

SUGGESTIONS FOR USE OF THE ICN CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES

The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses is a guide for action based

on social values and needs. It will have meaning only as a

living document if applied to the realities of nursing and

health care in a changing society.

To achieve its purpose the Code must be understood,

internalised and used by nurses in all aspects of their work.

It must be available to students and nurses throughout their

study and work lives.

APPLYING THE ELEMENTS OF THE ICN CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES

The four elements of the ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses:

nurses and people, nurses and practice, nurses and the

profession, and nurses and co-workers, give a framework for

the standards of conduct. The following chart will assist

nurses to translate the standards into action.

Nurses and nursing students can therefore:

·        Study the standards under each element of the Code.

·        Reflect on what each standard means to you. Think about how you can apply ethics in your nursing domain: practice,

·        education, research or management.

·        Discuss the Code with co-workers and others.

·        Use a specific example from experience to identify ethical dilemmas and standards of conduct as outlined in the Code.

·        Identify how you would resolve the dilemmas.

·        Work in groups to clarify ethical decision making and reach a consensus on standards of ethical conduct.

·        Collaborate with your National Nurses Association, co-workers, and others in the continuous application of ethical standards in nursing practice, education,management and research.