NURSES CODE OF ETHICS BON Res. # 220 s.

2004 Promulgation of the Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses (amended code of ethics for nurses)

Preamble: Sec. 1 Health is a fundamental right of the individual (4-fold responsibilities & if not possible assistance towards a peaceful death. Sec. 2 Nurses have to gain knowledge & understanding of mans cultural, social, spiritual, psychological, & ecological aspects of illness utilizing the therapeutic process. Sec. 3 The desire for respect & confidence of clientele, colleagues, co-workers, & the members of the community provide the incentive to attain & maintain the highest possible degree of ethical conduct.

Article II - Registered Nurses and People (Service to Others) 1. Values, customs & spiritual beliefs held by the individual shall be represented. 2. Individual freedom to make rational & unconstrained decision shall be respected. 3. Personal information acquired in the process of giving nursing care shall be in strict confidence. Article III Registered Nurse and Practice (Integrity and Objectivity) 1. Human life is inviolable. 2. Quality & excellence in the care of the patients are the goals of nursing practice 3. Accurate documentation of actions & outcomes of delivered care is the hallmark of nursing accountability. 4. RNs are the advocate of the patients: they shall take appropriate steps to safeguard their rights & privileges. 5. RNs are aware that their actions have professional, moral & legal dimensions. They strive to perform their work in the best interest of all concerned.

Article IV Registered Nurses and Co-Workers (Solidarity and Teamwork) 1. The RN is in solidarity with other members of the health care team in working for the patients best interest. 2. The RN maintains collegial & collaborative working relationship with colleagues & other health care providers. Article V RN, Society and Environment (Social and Civic Responsibility) 1. The preservation of life, respect for human rights & promotion of a healthy environment shall be a commitment of a RN. 2. The establishment of linkages w/ the public in promoting local, national & international efforts to meet health & social needs of the people as a contributing member of society is a noble concern of a RN. Article VI RN and the Profession (Professional Competence; Global Competitiveness; Equality of all Professions) 1. Maintenance of loyalty to the nursing profession & preservation of its integrity are ideal 2. Compliance w/ the by-laws of the PNA, & other professional organizations of w/c the RN is a member is a lofty duty. 3. Commitment to continual learning and active participation in the development & growth of the profession are commendable obligations. 4. Contribution to the improvement of the socio-economic conditions & general welfare of nurses through appropriate legislation is a practice & visionary mission.

NURSES BILL OF RIGHTS

Adopted by the ANA Board of Directors: June 26, 2001

Published in AJN: November 2001, Vol.101. No. 11, Pg. 57

Registered nurses promote and restore health, prevent illness, and protect the people entrusted to their care. They work to alleviate the suffering experienced by individuals, families, groups and communities. In so doing, nurses provide services that maintain respect for human dignity and embrace the uniqueness of each patient and the nature of his or her health problems, without restriction in regard to social or economic status. To maximize the contributions nurses make to society, it is necessary to protect the dignity and autonomy of nurses in the workplace. To that end, the following rights must be afforded.

1. Nurses have the right to practice in a manner that fulfills their obligations to society and to those who receive nursing care.

2. Nurses have the right to practice in environments that allow them to act in accordance with professional standards and legally authorized scopes of practice.

3. Nurses have the right to a work environment that supports and facilitates ethical practice, in accordance with the Code of Ethics for Nurses and its interpretive statements.

4. Nurses have the right to freely and openly advocate for themselves and their patients, without fear of retribution.

5. Nurses have the right to fair compensation for their work, consistent with their knowledge, experience and professional responsibilities.

6. Nurses have the right to a work environment that is safe for themselves and their patients.

7. Nurses have the right to negotiate the conditions of their employment, either as individuals or collectively, in all practice settings.

PATIENTS BILL OF RIGHTS

1. The patient has the right to considerate & respectful care, irrespective of socioeconomic status.

2. The patient has the right to obtain from his physician complete current information concerning his diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in terms the patient can reasonably be expected to understand. When it is not medically advisable to give such information to the patient. The information should be made available to an appropriate person in his behalf. He has the right to know by name or in person, the medical team responsible in coordinating his care.

3. The patient has the right to receive from his physician information necessary to give informed consent prior to start of any procedure and or treatment. Except in emergencies, such information for informed consent should include but not necessarily limited to the specific procedure and or treatment, the medically significant risks involved, and the probable duration of incapacitation. Where medically significant alternatives for care or treatment exist, or when the patient requests information concerning medical alternatives, the patient has the right for such information. The patient has also the right to know the name of the person responsible for the procedure and/or treatment.

4. The patient has the right to refuse treatment / life-giving measures, to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the medical consequence of his action.

5. The patient has the right to every consideration of his privacy concerning his own medical care program. Case discussion, consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and should be conducted discreetly. Those not directly involved in his care must have the permission of the patient to be present.

6. The patient has the right to expect that all communication and records pertaining to his care should be treated as confidential.

7. The patient has the right that within its capacity, a hospital must make reasonable response to the request of patient for services. The hospital must provide evaluation, service and or referral as indicated by the urgency of care. When medically permissible a patient may be transferred to another facility only after he has received complete information concerning the needs and alternatives to such transfer. The institution to which the patient is to be transferred must first have accepted the patient for transfer.

8. The patient has the right to obtain information as to any relationship of the hospital to other health care and to other health care and educational institutions in so far as his care is concerned. The patient has the right to obtain as to the existence of any professional relationship among individuals, by name who are treating him.

9. The patient has the right to be advised if the hospital proposes to engage on or perform human experimentation affecting his care or treatment. The patient has the right to refuse or participate in such research projects.

10. The patient has the right to expect reasonable continuity of care; he has the right to know in advance what appointment times the physicians are available and where. The patient has the right to expect that the hospital will provide a mechanism whereby he is informed by his physician or a delegate of the physician of the patients continuing health care requirements following discharge.

11. The patient has the right to examine and receive an explanation of his bill regardless of source of payment.

12. The patient has the right to know what hospital rules and regulations apply to his conduct as a patient.

DIFFERENT LAWS AFFECTING THE PRACTICE OF NURSING