Code Of Ethics For Nurses With Interpretive Statements Pdf
As a nurse, you are responsible for upholding the highest ethical standards in your workplace. In order to help you do this, the American Nurses Association (ANA) has developed the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (Code). This code helps nurses to understand their ethical obligations and provides guidance in making ethical decisions.
What is the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements?
The Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements is a framework that outlines the ethical obligations and duties of nurses. This document helps nurses to understand their ethical obligations and includes interpretive statements that provide guidance in making ethical decisions. The Code includes nine provisions that outline the ethical responsibilities of nurses, as well as interpretive statements that provide guidance on how to uphold those responsibilities.
Why is the Code Important?
The Code of Ethics for Nurses is important because it helps to ensure that patients receive safe and ethical care. Nurses who follow the Code are more likely to provide high-quality care and to avoid ethical violations. The Code also helps to build trust between nurses and patients by setting clear ethical guidelines that nurses can follow. Additionally, the Code provides a framework for nurses to advocate for their patients and to promote social justice in healthcare.
What are the Nine Provisions of the Code?
The nine provisions of the Code of Ethics for Nurses are:
- The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person.
- The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population.
- The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient.
- 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.
- 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.
- The nurse participates in establishing, maintaining, and improving healthcare environments and conditions of employment conducive to the provision of quality healthcare and consistent with the values of the profession through individual and collective action.
- The nurse participates in the advancement of the profession through contributions to practice, education, administration, and knowledge development.
- The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public to protect human rights, promote health diplomacy, and reduce health disparities.
- 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.
What are the Interpretive Statements?
The interpretive statements are explanations and applications of the nine provisions of the Code. They provide guidance on how to apply the provisions in practice and how to deal with ethical dilemmas. The interpretive statements are not exhaustive, but they do provide nurses with a framework for ethical decision-making.
How Can Nurses Use the Code?
Nurses can use the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements to guide their practice and decision-making. The Code can help nurses to identify ethical issues and to make decisions that are consistent with their ethical obligations. Nurses can use the interpretive statements to help them apply the provisions of the Code to specific situations.
Nurses can also use the Code to advocate for their patients and to promote ethical standards in their workplace. The Code can be a tool for nurses to use in discussions with colleagues and management about ethical issues in healthcare.
Conclusion
The Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements is an essential document for all nurses. By understanding and applying the Code, nurses can ensure that they provide high-quality, ethical care to their patients. The Code helps to promote trust between nurses and patients and helps to build a strong, ethical healthcare system.
