code of ethics in nursing professionalism

The Nursing Code of Ethics, the foundational ethical framework for nurses, has finally been revised and updated to include the rapid changes and developments in the nursing profession and healthcare sector.

“It is the tremendous responsibility and honor held by the American Nurses Association to maintain the Code of Ethics for Nurses. The Code is the social commitment from nurses to the public that we will uphold the ethical responsibility of our profession in pursuit of the health of our patients,” said Liz Stokes, PhD, JD, RN, director of the ANA Center for Ethics & Human Rights. “The Code was revised to guide the nurses of today and tomorrow who exemplify our profession's moral duty to provide and advocate for safe, quality, and compassionate care for all patients and communities.”

The 2025 update was the collective insight of over 6,000 nurses worldwide that underwent an extensive and inclusive revision, including a panel of 49 nursing experts and six co-chairs that spent more than 600 hours redefining the code.

The Code of Ethics includes an updated version of the provisions to specifically address professional boundaries, practicing with compassion and respect, nurses having increased authority over their practice including increased responsibilities, an emphasis on privacy and confidentiality, and identifying racism as a public health crisis.

The four main principles of the nursing code of ethics - autonomy, beneficence, justice, and non-maleficence - are still included in the current 2025 Nursing Code of Ethics, but there is less of an emphasis on them as in prior versions
The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses provides a foundation for ethical decision-making at the bedside.
Nursing has held the top spot as the most trusted and ethical profession in a list of diverse professions for more than 20 years.
With each passing year, nurses are confronted with more complex health-related decisions, which require a strong code of ethics as a foundation for care.
When faced with a professional ethical dilemma, where do you turn? The Code of Ethics for Nurses outlines nursing responsibilities and provides a foundation for the profession.

These codes help nurses fulfill their professional obligations and support their practice. Let’s explore the provisions within the Code, how you can use them, and how they shape your nursing practice.
The Need for a Nursing Code of Ethics
To practice with integrity, nurses must follow key elements that guide the profession. This includes a rigorous system for licensure, accreditation for education, and a code of ethics relevant to current practice.

A foundational code of ethics helps practicing nurses remember that patients have unique backgrounds with different cultural needs, which requires withholding judgment to ensure all patients receive quality care. Key examples of how ethics impacts nurses daily include confidentiality, holistic treatment, advocacy, accountability, and equality.

1. CODE OF ETHICS

2. INTRODUCTION:

+ Code is a collection of laws or a system of rules and regulation. A code is
adopted by a profession or by a governmental or quasi- governmental
organization to regulate that profession.

The ethics are moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conduct.

+ Ethics is also known as moral philosophy which is a branch of is also
known as moral philosophy which is a branch of philosophy that addresses
questions about morality that deals with concepts such as good and evil,
right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice, etc.

3. Code of Ethics CODEOFETHCS )】
(ae
‘Asetofrules and Acad ol eis iat

principles designed to ET
‘encourage ethical conduct prosa condi buses

among a group of nest and with integrity

professionals.

4. DEFINITION:

+ Code:

According to Melanie and Evelyn, "ethics refers to the moral code for nursing and
is based on obligation to service and respect for human life".

Ethics: According to sister Nancy, "ethics are the rules or principles the govern right
conduct and are designed to protect the rights of human beings".

Code of ethics:

According to Potter and Perry, "a code of ethics is a set of ethical principles the
are accepted by all members of a profession".

According to Barbara Kozier, "a code of ethics is set of ethical principles that
+ Is shared by members of a group

+ Reflects their moral judgments over time

+ Serves as a standard for their professional actions,

5. USES:

+ Acknowledges the rightful place of Individuals in health care delivery
system.

* Contributes towards empowerment of individuals to become
responsible for their health and well-being.

+ Contributes to quality care.
* Identifies obligations in practice, research and relationships.

Informs the individuals, families, community and other professionals
about expectations of a nurse.

6. Characteristics of Ethics

Leadership
Values

Integrity

Respect
Loyalty
Concern

7. MEANING OF NURSE

Nobility knowledge N= Nurture
usefullness

Responsibility
simplicity, sympathy R= Responsible
Efficiency,capacity

U= Universal

S= Smart
E= Educated

INSPIRE OTHERS.
sXe

8. 1. PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY:

NURSE:-
Appreciates sense of self worth and nurtures it.

* Maintains standards of personal conduct reflecting credit upon the
profession.

* Carries out responsibilities within the framework of the professional

・ 15 accountable for maintaining practice standards set by Indian Nursing
Council.

・ Is accountable for own decisions and actions.
+ ls compassionate
・ ls responsible for continuous improvement of current practices.

・ Provides adequate information to individuals that allow then informed
choices.

start drawing

le fac

Practices healthful behaviors. ficing

9. 2. NURSING PRACTICE:
・ NURSE:-

Provides care in accordance with set standards of practice.

Respect individuals and families in the context of traditional and cultural
practices promoting healthy practices and discouraging harmful practices.

Treat all individuals and families with human dignity in providing physical,
psychological, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of care.

Promotes participation of individuals and significant others in the care

Ensures safe practice Consult, coordinates, collaborates and follows up
appropriately when individuals care needs exceed the nurse's competence.

10. 3. COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL
RELATIONSHIP:

+ NURSE:-

Establish and maintains effective interpersonal relationships with
individuals, families and communities.

Upholds the dignity of team members and maintains effective
interpersonal relationship with them.

Appreciates and nurtures professional role of team members. A}
Cooperates with other health professionals to meet the needs of the MENA
individuals, families and communities. olaaa

11. 4. VALUING HUMAN BEING:

NURSE:-

Takes appropriate action to protect individuals‘ from harmful unethical
practice.

Consider relevant facts while taking conscience decisions in the best
interest of individuals

Encourages and supports individuals in their right to speak for
themselves on issues affecting their health and welfare.

Respects and supports choices made by individuals.

12. 5. MANAGEMENT:

NURSE:-

Ensures appropriate allocation and utilization of available resources. 0 Participates in
supervision and education of students and other formal care providers

Uses judgment in relation to individual competence while accepting and delegating
responsibility.

Facilitates conductive work culture in order to achieve institutional objective. A
Communicates effectively following appropriate channels of communication. A
Participates in evaluation of nursing

Participates in policy decisions, following the principle of equity and accessibility of
services. 2 Participates in performance appraisal.

Works with individuals to identify their needs and sensitizes policy makes and funding
agencies for resources allocation.
Care for one, that's love.
Care for Few, that's family.
Care for hundreds,
that's nursing

13. 6. PROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT:

+ NURSE:-

Ensures the protection of the human rights while pursuing the
advancement of knowledge.

Contributes to the development of nursing practice.
Participates in determining for upholding own knowledge an
competencies.

Contributes to care professional knowledge by conducting and
participating in research.

15. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

While making decision, a nurse manage should consider the following ethical
principles:

・ Autonomy:

The autonomy addresses the personal freedom and the right to make
choices decisions. Informed consent is one of the examples of autonomy.

+ Beneficence:
The principle state the actions to promote good. Nurse can be prompted by
this principle to encourage the patient undergo extensive, painful treatment

procedures, especially if these procedures increase both the quality and
quantity of the life of the patient.

16. + Non-malefcence:

This principle states that one should do no harm. For nurse manager,
this principle can be used for performance evaluation which emphasize
the worker' qualities and give positive directions for their growth.

・ Veracity:

This principle is concerned with telling truth completely. Nurse
managers use this principle while giving facts about all the situations
truthfully and help the employee to take decisions.

17. + Justice:

This principles states to treat all the persons equally and fairly. Every
employee should be considered equally in all the situations, may it be
giving leave or holiday during the time of competition, promotion etc.
No partiality should be done on the part of the nurse manager to the
employees.

+ Paternalism:

This principle allows one person to make decisions for another when
other person lacks expertise. Nurse managers use this principle to
assist the employees in deciding major career moves and plans.

18. + Fidelity:

This principle means to keep one's promises or commitments. Nurse
managers follow this principle when they keep promises made to the
employees in the past, may it be a promised leave, promotion etc.
Respect for others:

This principles states the mutual respect between two persons or in

the team. Nurse managers reinforce this principle by serving as role
models for the staff members and others in the unit.

19. ICN CODE OF ETHICS

The International Council of Nursing (ICN) Code for
Nurses (1973) is similar to the foundations of the ANA
code. It speaks to the responsibilities of the nurse to other
people, to practice, to society, to co-workers, and to the
profession as a whole.

ICN Code for Nurses (1973)

Ethical Concepts Applied to Nursing

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

The need for nursing is universal. Inherent in
nursing is respect for life,,dignity.and rights of man. It is
unrestricted by considerations of