Nursing Code Of Ethics Influencing Practice

CAN, ANA, and ICN Code of Ethics emphasis the importance of compassionate care, promoting health, preventing illness, restoration of health and relieving suffering with the patient at the center of care. A nurse is to support the patients’ autonomy and protect/respect the patients’ values; supporting their physical, psychological and spiritual well-being. Nurses should always put the patient above the interests of the health care institution and any nursing organization.

Provision 8.1 of the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics denotes that health is a universal right. The provision states, “the nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public to protect human rights, promote health diplomacy, and reduce health disparities” (Lachman, Swanson, & Windland-Brown, 2015, p. 365). From chapter 1, the ethical theory that best fits provision 8.1 is utilitarianism. The ethical theory of utilitarianism theorizes “one should act so as to do the greatest good for the greatest number” (Baillie, McGeehan, Garrett, & Garrett, 2013, p. 4). This theory promotes a universal method because it signifies that even if a decision is made and does not benefit every single person; however, benefits most

According to the American Nursing Association, “ Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations” (Association, Scope and Standards of Practice, 2010).

If Lisa has been fully counseled and educated about all facets of terminating her pregnancy because her fetus has been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), the nurse’s role is to support Lisa’s decision. The American Nursing Association Code of Ethics (2015), Provision 1.4, The Right of Self-Determination, states that in order to fully distinguish a person’s dignity, it is necessary to respect their right of self-determination. This provision additionally states that it is the responsibility of the nurse to educate the patient accurately and verify that the information is understood. After which, the patient has the right to make their decision without “duress, undue influence or coercion” and be supported “throughout the decision making and

CNA Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses (2008) provides guidance in dealing with cases like this by explaining the core nursing values and responsibilities involved which are: a) providing safe, compassionate, competent and ethical care; b) promoting health and well-being; c) promoting and respecting informed decision-making, and d) Preserving dignity; e) maintaining confidentiality, f) promoting justice and g) being accountable. The first nursing value is always expected to be upheld in any case because it is their duty to provide care using appropriate safety precautions and preventing/minimizing all forms of violence (CNA, 2008). The collaboration of the nurses between the physician and Mr. C’s family has been evident since then. This therefore calls Mr. C’s nurses to be more compassionate about his situation and try to recognize where he is coming from as they build a trust-worthy relationship before judging him or jumping into conclusions like he does not want to live anymore. Even if he decides to withdraw from these potentially life-sustaining treatments, health care providers are still obliged to give him the care he need the best way they can up until the end of his life. The second nursing value, just like the first one, still calls nurses to still aim to promote or at least maintain Mr. C’s health and well-being to the highest possible level regardless of the path he had chosen for his life. This can be achieved by continuing to collaborate well with other

The Code of Ethics and the Professional Identity assume a dependent relationship. Without one the other could not stand alone. When we search for the professional identity of a career we also look at how they were established and what boundaries do they follow. In nursing, as stated by the American Nurses Association “a code of ethics stands as a central and necessary mark of a profession”, (American Nurses Association, ANA, pg. xi). What this means is that without the rules of ethics in this profession we could not call ourselves “nurses” we would not be able to obtain boundaries in which our scope of practice is either limited or expanded. According to the ANA, when the standards of the nursing practice were developing boundaries, the nurses were told,” not permit their names to be used in connection with testimonials in the advertisements of its products”(ANA, ANA,, pg. xv). Telling nurses what they should not do and what they could do was a milestone that locked in the practice as an actual group with associated skills that were to be taken serious and an implementation the public could trust. Not only could the public gain trust for the nursing practice but the ethical code and professional identity also helped nurses protect themselves

The ANA named 2015 the “Year of Ethics,” which is highly appropriate due to the ever changing advancements in genomics (http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/EthicsStandards/CodeofEthicsforNurses/Code-of-Ethics-For-Nurses.html). Ethics is a great concern regarding genetic testing because the testing may affect an individual’s quality of life. In the 5th vignette, Interpreting Risk: The Impact of Life Experience, we see the viewpoints of two female roommates. Lisa’s mother suffered from breast cancer and died at a young age. As a result, Lisa was left with the feeling that death from breast cancer is inevitable for her. Lisa wants to receive genetic testing and if she tests positive will not have children even though she wants children

I chose to analyze provision three contained in the American Association Code of Ethics. Provision three explores a nurses daily duty as it relates to patient rights as well as safety and patient privacy. In addition to other healthcare related responsibilities a nurse is effectively, a valuable patient advocate who must work to ensure that patients are treated fairly and competently, not only from the nursing staff, but all caregivers. (American Nurses Association). If a situation concerning incompetent care from other healthcare providers should arise, the nurse must assess issue on behalf of the patient and initiate action to have the issue corrected.

Practicing in the pediatric unit is sometimes challenging to nurses due to the numerous ethical issues that do arise in the unit. Some of these ethical issues lead to dilemma and nurses are often caught in a situation where they have to make difficult decisions. However, nurses are required to apply critical thinking and use the existing American Nurses Association (ANA) code of ethics to govern their decisions, ensuring that they are ethical and legal. Failure to mediate appropriately may result in a violation of the code of ethics and a violation of patients’ rights.

In the medical field, there are set of rules medical professions have to follow, which is called The Code of Ethics. Once you go more in depth into the medical field, The Code of Ethics become more specialized. For example there are ones for Social Workers - “Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers”, ones for Sports Medicine, one for Psychologists -“Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct”, one for Public Health- “Principles of the Ethical Practice”, and one specifically for Nurses- “American Nurses Association code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements.” For the most part the “main ideas” are the same but the way the professions apply them and some of the “little”

The Code of Ethics that I chose was the American Nursing Association’s Nurse’s Code of Ethics. The example I picked has to do with the Provision 3—3.6 and the ethical principle of beneficence. Provision 3 states “The nurse seeks to protect the health, safety, and rights of the patient.” (Slate, 2015). This means that the nurse acts in regard to the wellbeing of the patient, placing the patient at the top of the care being delivered. Further in depth, Provision 3.6 is based on addressing impaired practice if it ever takes place. “The duty of the nurse is to protect the patient, the public, and the profession from harm when a colleague’s practice appears to be impaired.” (Slate, 2015). This requires the nurse to protect the patient and the colleague

Code of Ethics in nursing it is important to make sure the staff and patients are being respected and treated with dignity. The study of ethics has lead to basic concept such as justice and fidelity, autonomy, beneficence and nonmaleficence. It is very important to understand these concepts, because they assist the nurse with making decisions during difficult situations (ANA, 2001, p 6).

The implementation of mandatory overtime is supported by the nursing profession’s standards of practice, code of ethics, and a legislative act. The obligation or duty of nurses to provide care is clearly outlined in the Registered Nurses Act and Standards of Practice for Registered Nurses (CRNNS, 2014, p. 3). According to CNA Code of Ethics, duty to provide care means that “nurses have a professional duty and a legal obligation to provide persons receiving care with safe, competent, compassionate and ethical care” (CNA, 2008, p. 24). Nurses will be unable to uphold such duty if mandatory overtime is to be eliminated as an option for use by employers. Working on nursing units that are short-staffed would mean an increased in workload and higher

* The fundamental responsibility of the nurse is fourfold: to promote health, to prevent illness, to restore health and to alleviate suffering.

This is a great source that covers key elements on competency and integrity in today’s nurses. The author guides and supports the nursing practice by involving the Code of Ethics. This article focuses on how ethics in nursing and illustrates how the Code of Ethics is used in a variety of healthcare settings. The article talks about how the Code of Ethics started, discussing most modern issues, and how its development continues. The article is interesting to consider that this document is a useful resource in the healthcare