Objectives
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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By the end of the class, students will be able to:
1.Define Code and Code of Ethics.
2.List the function and elements of ethical codes.
3.Explain and compare code of ethics by ICN and
PNC.
4.Discuss application of code of ethics in clinical
settings.
5.Discuss International Pledge in relation to Code
of Ethics.
Code
Is a set of ethical principles
generally accepted by members of
the profession.”
Basis of ethical codes is “ethical
principles”.
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Faculty: Kiran Irfan
Codes of Ethics in a Profession
•Health care profession specifies and enforces
moral obligations for their members
•It obligates the members to adhere to
professional ethics.
•To avoid moral confrontation and legal struggles
some professions codify their standards in order
to reduce the vagueness and conflicts.
-Beauchamp & Childress,
(2001)
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Faculty: Kiran Irfan
Functions of Ethical Code
•To inform the public about the minimum
standards of the profession and to make the
public aware of professional nursing conduct.
•To provide a symbol of the profession’s
commitment to the society.
•To outline the major ethical considerations of
the profession
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Faculty: Kiran Irfan
Functions of Ethical Code
To provide general guidelines for
professional behavior.
To guide the profession in self-
regulation.
To remind nurses of the special
responsibility they assume when
caring for the sick.
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Faculty: Kiran Irfan
Nurse’s Code of Ethics
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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Throughout the history of professional nursing
provided an ethical framework for nurses,
presenting guidelines for responding to ethical
issues in health care.
Essential part of nursing ethics education
Aim is to equip nurses with high ethical
standards -Curtin 2001, Numminen et al. (2009)
Elements of Ethical Code
Health and Well being
Respect for life, dignity and rights of all
persons
Privacy (Confidentiality).
Accountability for action and judgment.
Safe Environment (for patients and nurses)
Development of profession; improvement of
practice; and maintain integrity of nursing
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Faculty: Kiran Irfan
Nursing Code of Ethics
“Is a set of ethical principles that determine the
profession’s standards of behavior.
It describes the goals and core values of the
nursing profession.
Contain a variety of elements: the virtues of
a nurse, a nurse’s professional duties
and responsibilities.
Act-oriented norms or specific
prohibitions.”
Meulenbergs, Verpeet, Schotsmans, & Gastmans,
(2004)
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Faculty: Kiran Irfan
History of International Code of Ethics
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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•In 1893, the Nightingale Pledge was adopted. It
served for several decades as an inspirational code.
•In 1953, the International Council of Nurses
(ICN) adopted its firstofficial code
•In 1965, the ICN Grand Council revised the “Code
of Ethics as Applied to Nursing.”
International Council of Nurses
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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•The International Council of Nurses
(ICN)was established in 1899.
•It is a federation of more than 124 national
nurses' associations representing millions
of nurses worldwide.
•Operated by nurses, for nurses
•ICN is the international voice of nursing
and works to ensure quality care for all, and
sound health policies globally.
Nursing according to ICN
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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•Nursing encompasses autonomousand
collaborativecare of
•individuals, families, groups and communities in all
settings.
•Caring for the ill, disabled and dying people of all
ages
•Nursing includes the promotion of health, prevention
of illness and alleviation of suffering
Nursing Mandate according to ICN
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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Advocacy
Promotion of a safe environment; and
research,
Participation in shaping health policy,
health systems management, and
education
ICN Code of Ethics
Was reviewed in 2000 and again in 2005.
Introduction :
Nurses have four fundamental
responsibilities:
1.To promotehealth
2.To preventillness
3.To restorehealth
4.To alleviatesuffering
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Faculty: Kiran Irfan
Four Elementsof ICN Code of Ethics
1.Nurses and people
2.Nurses and practice
3.Nurses and the
profession
4.Nurses and co-workers
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Faculty: Kiran Irfan
Nurse and the People
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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1.Promotes an environment in which the
human rights, values, custom and spiritual beliefs
of the individual, family and community are
respected
2.Maintains privacy and confidence
3.Ensure that patient receives sufficient
information to make informed decisions
4.Shares with society the responsibility for
initiating and supporting action to meet the
health and social needs of the public,
especially the vulnerable population
5.Shares with society the responsibility to protect
the natural environment
Professional Accountability to Patient
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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1.Report any circumstance that could
endanger safe standards of practice
2.Protect patient from actions by co-workers
or any member of the health care team,
which may endanger patient’s health or well
being
3.Refuse any gift, favor or hospitality that
could be interpreted as taking advantage of
the patient
4.Avoid use of professional qualifications in
the promotion of commercial products
Nurse and Practice
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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1.Carries responsibility and accountability for
personal nursing practice
2.Maintains competency by continual learning
3.Maintains personal health
4.Maintains standard of personal conduct
5.Uses personal judgment in accepting and
delegating responsibilities
6.Ensures that technology & knowledge is
compatible with safety, rights and dignity of the
patient
Nurse and the Profession
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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1.Nurse is active in developing a core research-
based professional knowledge
2.Assumes a major role in determining and
implementing acceptable standards of clinical
practice, management, research and education
3.Acts through the professional organization in
creating and maintaining safe, equitable social
and economic conditions in nursing
Nurse and Co-workers
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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1.Works in a collaborative and cooperative manner
with other health professionals.
2.Gives recognition and respect to them.
History of Pakistan Code of Ethics
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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In 1954, nurses in Pakistan adopted the ICN Code
of Ethics for their professional practice.
In 1999, PNC adopted its own code entitled “PNC
Code of Ethics for the Registered Nurse, Midwife,
Lady Health Visitor, and Nursing Auxiliary”
PNC Code of Ethics
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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Each registered nurse shall act at all times in such
a manner as to:
Protect and promote the interests of the
individual client
Serve the interest of the society
Justify public trust and confidence
Uphold and enhance the good standing and
reputation of the profession
Pledge of Professional Nursing
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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In full knowledge of the obligations I am undertaking, I
promise to care for the sick with all the skill and the
understanding I possess, without regard to race, creed,
color, politics, or social status, sparing no effort to
preserve quality of life, alleviate suffering, and to
promote health, as affirmed by the person.
Pledge of Professional Nursing
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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I will respect at all times the dignity and beliefs of the
patients under my care, holding in confidence all
personal information entrusted to me, and refraining
from any action which may endanger life or health.
Pledge of Professional Nursing
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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I will endeavor to keep my professional knowledge and
skill at the highest level, and to give loyal support and
cooperation to all members of the health care team.
I will do my utmost to honor the International Code of
Ethics applied to nursing, and to uphold the integrity of
the profession.
Quotes
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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•If you treat people the way they are, they will not
improve. But if you treat them the way you want
them to be, they do.
•There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness
-Bill Joshing
•It is easier to protect your feet with slippers than
to cover the earth with carpet.
Quote
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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Our happiness depends on the habit
of mind, which we have to cultivate.
So practice happy thinking every day.
Cultivate the merry heart, develop the
happiness habit, and life will become
a continual feast-Norman Vincent Peale
Care in high-tech environment
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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•Caring is the soul of nursing.
•Health care has made tremendous technological
advances to improve patient health outcomes
•However, in the high-tech environment patients
are often depersonalized.
Depersonalization
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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is the process in which individuals are
treated as objects instead of people
The focus of attention becomes the disease not the
individual experiencing the illness
Counteract Depersonalization
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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While checking on the high-tech
equipment do not forget the person
Do not fail to respond to the client
Use technology as a tool to care for the
patient
Emphasize a client’s individuality
History of Nursing Code of Ethics
International
In 1893, the Nightingale
Pledge adopted. It served
for several decades as an
inspirational code.
In 1953, the International
Council of Nurses (ICN)
adopted its first official code
Pakistan
In 1954, nurses in Pakistan
adopted the ICN Code of Ethics
for their professional practice.
In 1999, PNC adopted it’s own
code entitled “PNC Code of
Ethics for the Registered Nurse,
Midwife, Lady Health Visitor, and
Nursing Auxiliary”
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Faculty: Kiran Irfan
Here and Now
Faculty: Kiran Irfan
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You cannot touch the same river twice
Do not wait for the rain storm to pass, but learn
to dance in the rain
It is your choice: you can be ‘Nowhere’ or be
Now Here