Professional Code Of Ethics For Nurses At General Hospital

Professional Code Of Ethics Nurse Works General Hospital 2 3pages

Professional Code of Ethics/ Nurse works (General Hospital)/ 2-3pages/ No Plagiarism THE PROFESSIONAL CODE OF ETHICS I. Task 1. In a Professional Ethics Course, an assignment on the Code of Ethics in any professional area of your interest, an assignment such as this one is to be expected. So, the first step for this assignment is for you to figure out which kind of profession---a job, if you will---you are interested. Then come the following instructions.

2. After determining your academic major or future profession/job, o Find or locate the code of ethics issued by the Professional Association in your area of professional interest. Note: Just research the code on the Internet or go, preferably, get one from the Association office here in Baltimore or Washington, DC. o Provide the table of contents of the copy of the code of ethics that you managed to get. Note: Just type the table of contents o Identify the major moral principles upon which the whole code of ethics rests. Here just list those values and document them in the code of ethics by indicating the section under which each principle is found. o Describe succinctly the standards of professional practice that are based on the principles listed above under 2.2 3.

Finally, submit in canvas, a (one) file consisting of the following: 3.1 The table of contents of the code of ethics issued by the Professional Association in the area of your professional interest. 3.2 A list of the major moral principles stated above 2.3. 3.3 A description of the standards of professional practice. Failure to meet this deadline will automatically result in zero being assigned as a grade to you. No excuses will be accepted because I have to turn the grades in to the Administration on time.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The ethical standards guiding nursing practice are crucial for ensuring patient safety, maintaining professional integrity, and upholding the trust between healthcare providers and patients. The American Nurses Association (ANA) provides a comprehensive Code of Ethics for nurses, which delineates the moral principles and standards that professionals must adhere to in their practice. This paper explores the ANA Code of Ethics, presents the table of contents, identifies the fundamental moral principles, and describes the standards of professional practice based on these principles in the context of a general hospital setting.

Table of Contents of the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses

The ANA Code of Ethics is divided into nine sections:

1. Preamble

2. The Nurse’s Self-Understanding

3. The Environment of Nursing Practice

4. The Scope and Standards of Nursing Practice

5. The Education of Nurses

6. The Nurse’s Responsibilities and Accountabilities

7. The Nurse and Society

8. The Profession and the Healthcare Environment

9. The Implementation of the Code

This structure encompasses principles and standards that guide nursing conduct and ethical decision-making within various contexts of healthcare delivery.

Major Moral Principles in the Nursing Code of Ethics

The main moral principles embedded within the ANA Code of Ethics include:

- Respect for Autonomy: Respecting patients' rights to make informed decisions about their care (Section 2).

- Beneficence: Promoting the well-being of patients and acting in their best interests (Section 3).

- Nonmaleficence: Avoiding harm to patients (Section 3).

- Justice: Ensuring fairness in the distribution of healthcare resources and equitable treatment (Section 7).

- Fidelity: Maintaining trustworthiness and keeping commitments to patients and colleagues (Section 6).

- Veracity: Providing truthful information to patients and avoiding deception (Section 2).

Documenting these principles involves referencing specific sections within the code that emphasize these values.

Standards of Professional Practice Derived from Core Principles

The standards of nursing practice based on these moral principles include:

1. Providing Safe and Competent Care: Nurses must adhere to established clinical standards to ensure patient safety, aligned with beneficence and nonmaleficence.

2. Respecting Patient Autonomy: Upholding informed consent and respecting patients' rights to make choices about their care.

3. Ensuring Fair Access to Care: Promoting justice by advocating for equitable treatment for all patients, regardless of background or circumstance.

4. Maintaining Confidentiality and Trust: Fidelity emphasizes the importance of safeguarding patient privacy and maintaining professional integrity.

5. Advocating for Patients: Nurses should act as patient advocates, ensuring their needs and preferences are prioritized within the healthcare system.

6. Continuous Professional Development: Staying informed about current best practices to provide high-quality care.

7. Upholding Ethical Behavior and Integrity: Acting honestly and transparently in all professional interactions, aligning with veracity.

These standards serve as ethical benchmarks for safe, effective, and respectful nursing practice across various clinical settings, including general hospitals.

Conclusion

The ANA Code of Ethics provides a fundamental framework that guides nurses in their professional responsibilities. Through its comprehensive structure, it emphasizes core moral principles like respect, beneficence, justice, and fidelity, which underpin daily clinical practice. Adherence to these principles through well-defined standards ensures nurses maintain the integrity of the profession, deliver ethically sound care, and foster trust within the healthcare environment. For nurses working in general hospitals, these standards are vital in navigating complex ethical dilemmas and providing holistic patient-centered care.

References

• American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. ANA.
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