Code Of Ethics In Nursing: Ethical Values Are Crucial ✓ Solved

Code of Ethics in Nursing Ethical values are crucial for any health

The code of ethics in nursing is vital for all healthcare workers, as it lays down universal rules of conduct that inform and guide behavior. These ethical values represent the moral principles that determine how nurses and other healthcare workers should interact with patients and colleagues. The code of ethics provides a practical framework for recognizing motives, intentions, and actions that are valued in nursing practice.

Ethics play a central role in healthcare since nursing involves making critical decisions that affect the lives of patients. Nurses must make judgments based on their professional values while adhering to the laws that govern their practice. Therefore, the American Nurses Association (ANA) has established the code of ethics to outline the expectations, professional behavior, legal requirements, and obligations for nurses. This code ensures nurses comply with national laws and ethical standards, forming the foundation for competent nursing practice (Haddad & Geiger, 2020).

The ANA Code of Ethics consists of seven principles grouped into specific areas of focus, providing guidance and explanatory statements pertinent to nursing practice. Nurses are called to use their professional judgment in order to achieve the best outcomes for their patients. The code is not merely a set of rules but a crucial tool in navigating the complexities of care associated with human life. It emphasizes that negligence, inadequate care, or omissions are intolerable practices in nursing.

Patients often come to healthcare facilities feeling vulnerable and fearful, needing to share sensitive and personal information with their caregivers. Therefore, it is imperative for nurses to adhere to a professional code of ethics that fosters trust and ensures they provide quality care from the outset. The greatest ethical dilemmas can arise at clinical, administrative, or societal levels, necessitating a strong ethical framework (Zahedi et al., 2013). According to the International Council of Nurses (ICN), an effective code acts as a concise statement of moral responsibilities and obligations, establishing non-negotiable ethical standards tailored for the nursing profession.

Both internationally and nationally, nurses are expected to adhere to the established code of ethics. Patients have the right to make informed decisions regarding their treatment and care. This means that nurses must provide comprehensive and accurate information about the conditions and care options available to them. The nursing profession faces numerous ethical challenges; thus, the code of ethics serves as essential protection for nurses' practices and patient interactions.

Conducting nursing duties in alignment with ethical standards helps avoid conflicts with the beliefs and values underlying personal nursing ethics. It is crucial to consider the first principles of ethics: non-maleficence, justice, beneficence, and autonomy when delivering care (Haddad & Geiger, 2020). Each patient deserves fair and equal treatment, which corresponds with the ethical obligations of healthcare professionals to promote health, minimize harm, and provide competent assistance. These responsibilities may include providing timely medications, offering assistance to bedridden patients, and upholding safety protocols like ensuring bed rails are put up for restless patients. Violating the code of ethics could have severe consequences, including lawsuits, termination, or loss of nursing licensure.

In conclusion, the nursing code of ethics serves as a crucial guide for nurses in performing their responsibilities and obligations within the healthcare setting. While robust international ethical codes exist, national regulations complement these principles for nurses leading intricate care roles across various healthcare domains. In the demanding field of nursing, it is vital that practitioners regularly reflect on their ethical standards to reinforce their commitment to delivering compassionate care, thereby fostering the trust placed in nursing as one of the most respected professions.

American Nurses Association Standards of Practice

The American Nurses Association (ANA) outlines standards of practice that guide nurses in delivering safe, competent, and ethical care. These standards include professional nursing accountability, assessment, diagnosis, outcomes identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation. For Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) and Registered Nurses (RN), these standards offer a framework for licensure and practice within healthcare systems.

The ANA Standards of Practice emphasize the importance of holistic patient care by encouraging nurses to understand individual patient needs while taking into account their cultural, socio-economic, and personal backgrounds. The ethical values that underpin this practice further corroborate the vital relationship between nursing responsibilities and patient care outcomes.

Furthermore, adherence to these standards and ethics is essential not just for patient welfare but also for nurses' professional growth. Continuous education regarding ethical dilemmas in nursing ensures that practitioners are well-equipped to handle complex situations while maintaining ethical integrity (Larson et al., 2013). By aligning with the ANA's professional practice standards, nursing professionals reinforce their commitment to high-quality healthcare delivery.

Conclusion

In summary, the necessity of a robust code of ethics in nursing cannot be overstated as it serves to guide nurses in their complex and demanding roles. The ethical principles outlined by both the ANA and ICN serve as important frameworks to adhere to while facing everyday challenges in clinical practice. Understanding these standards is essential in upholding the profession's integrity and ensuring that patients receive the highest level of care. Through steadfast adherence to ethical codes and practice standards, nurses can reflect on their professional identity while fostering ongoing growth and development within their field.

References

• Haddad, L., & Geiger, R. (2020). Nursing Ethical Considerations. NCBI.
• Zahedi, F., Sanjari, M., Aala, M., Peymani, M., Aramesh, K., Parsapour, A., Maddah, B., Cheraghi, M., Mirzabeigi, G., Larijani, B., & Dastgerdi, V. (2013). The Code of Ethics for Nurses. PMC.
• Larsen, J., Brady, N., Engelmann, L., Perkins, B., & Shultz, C. (2013). The formation of professional identity in nursing. Nursing Education Perspectives, 34(2), 138.
• American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretative Statements.
• International Council of Nurses. (2012). The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses.
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• Levine, D. M., & Lesser, C. (2016). The ANA's standards of clinical nursing practice: Implications for nursing practice at the bedside. Nursing Outlook, 64(4), 424-430.
• Hudak, R. L., & O'Connor, M. (2014). Understanding the Code of Ethics for Nurses: What it means and how to apply it in practice. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 4(6), 108-115.