What the Code of Ethics means to me

First created 65 years ago, the “Code of Ethics for Nurses” was developed as a guide for carrying out nursing responsibilities in a manner consistent with quality in nursing care and the ethical obligations of the profession. In January of this year, the American Nurses Association published a completely updated “Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements” and declared 2015 to be the Year of Ethics.

The Code of Ethics for Nurses wasn’t meant to sit on a shelf. It was meant to be a guide for nurses in their daily practice, whether as a nursing student, a staff nurse, an educator or a nurse administrator. So, we asked you, our members, for some of your perspectives on the Code and how it applies to you and your profession. Here are some of the answers we got back.

• Anne Hirsch: "The Code of Ethics is foundational to nursing education"
• Vadim Chesnokov: "The Code of Ethics and advocating for my patients"
• Allison Bridgewater: "The power of one nurse speaking to one legislator"
• Terry Surratt: "The Code of Ethics and the staff nurse"

The Code is based on nine provisions.

Provision 1 – Respect for Others
The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person.

Provision 2 – Commitment to the Patient
The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population.

Provision 3 – Advocacy for the Patient
The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient.

Provision 4 – Accountability and Responsibility for Practice
The nurse has authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice; makes decisions; and takes action consistent with the obligation to promote health and to provide optimal care.

Provision 5 – Duty to Self and Duty to Others
The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to promote health and safety, preserve wholeness of character and integrity, maintain competence, and continue personal and professional growth.

Provision 6 – Contribution to Healthcare Environments
The nurse, through individual and collective effort, establishes, maintains, and improves the ethical environment of the work setting and conditions of employment that are conducive to safe, quality health care.

Provision 7 – Advancement of the Nursing Profession
The nurse, in all roles and settings, advances the profession through research and scholarly inquiry, professional standards development, and the generation of both nursing and health policy.

Provision 8 – Promotion of Community and World Health
The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public to protect human rights promote health diplomacy, and reduce health disparities.

Provision 9 – Promotion of the Nursing Profession
The profession of nursing, collectively through its professional organizations must articulate nursing values, maintain the integrity of the profession, and integrate principles of social justice into nursing and health policy.

The American Nurses Association has a wealth of information on the association’s website at nursingworld.org/ethics. Along with the updated “Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements,” the site includes ANA Position Statements on Ethics and Human Rights, Ethics Topics and Articles, as well as sections devoted to Personalized Medicine, End-of-Life Issues and Moral Courage/Distress.