Nursing Code of Ethics

Healthcare institutions have seen a dramatic rise in recent years. Due to the growing demand for healthcare services, advancement in medicine and technology, people and professionals across the board are joining healthcare institutes. It is important to know that the largest sector of healthcare is that of nursing. Nurses can be defined as professionals who assist physicians and help treat patients in need of medical services. The career has gained immense popularity over the century and become the leading occupation choice in many countries. In the United States, there are over 2.5 million nurses currently registered. Nurses are respected by their patients for their devotion to the ill and the sick. One needs a lot of patience to deal with individuals in critical conditions. Nurses are all about giving and making positive changes in the lives of hundreds of ailing people and their families and loved ones. From clinics to public hospitals, nurses are in high demand in all kinds of healthcare organizations.
 

Nursing Code of ethics
 
Nurses are not limited to just providing healthcare services. Their duties go beyond the defined and often include roles in leadership, communication, and management. A nursing degree program is mandatory in order to enter this field. Nursing programs usually cover a wide range of theoretical subjects and help students develop clinical skills. Student must be well versed in various medical procedures and tasks in order to work successfully as a nurse.
 
However, apart from just the education, a nurse must also be aware of the code of ethics for nurses. Like in every other occupation where professionals are required to maintain their integrity and deal with fairness, the nursing profession also has certain ethics and codes of conduct that must be followed. These are necessary to maintain trust, quality in services, and consistency in care. We already know that the core aim of healthcare institutions is to protect the public through effective healthcare policies and services. Some of the major provisions that define the ethical principles in nursing have been outlined below:
 

• Respect for human dignity
• Right to self-determination
• Privacy and confidentiality
• Addressing impaired practice
• Protection of participants in research
• Acceptance of accountability and responsibility
• Responsibility of nursing judgment and action
• Moral self-respect
• Wholeness of character
• Responsibility of the healthcare environment
• Upholding moral values and virtues
• Responsibilities to the public

 
Nursing ethics are integral for the foundation of nursing as a whole. The field ultimately caters to the wellbeing of the society and must strictly follow ethical rules that govern all healthcare conduct. The board of nursing in any state is mainly responsible for designing and implementing various nursing laws and ensuring the compliance with ethics in nursing occupations.Codes of ethics serve many purposes and emphasize a nurse’s understanding of the responsibility and commitment he or she has made to the society. Codes of ethics must be followed under all circumstances. In some cases, where a patient suffers damage due to negligence on part of a nurse, he or she is freely allowed to take the matter to the board. Malpractice cases and medical negligence cases are judged partially based upon nursing ethics.