Week 3 & 4 Edapt
Introduction to the American Nurses
Association Code of Ethics
A professional code of ethics is the trademark of a profession and is a statement of
goals, values, and obligations held by the members of the group that defines the nature
of professional relationships (LeDuc & Kotzer, 2009).
The American Nurses Association’s (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses guides practice
through a set of professional values expected from every member of the profession,
including future nurses. The code is formally revised every 10 years, with the last
revision in 2015.
Miller et al. (1991) described the ANA Code of Ethics as a contract between nurses and
society, and that contract is relevant in any situation. The code is non-negotiable in any
setting (Fowler, 2015).
The ANA code of ethics is a contract between nurses & society, and that contract is
relevant in any situation. Code is non negotiable in any setting.
Week 3 & 4 Edapt 1
, Nursing as a Profession
Nursing is not simply a job where you perform a collection of skills; it is a trusted
profession. Nurses are not just trained individuals who perform specific tasks. We are
professionals.
A code of ethics is the hallmark of a profession. The nursing code of ethics is a
statement of philosophical ideals of right and wrong and defines the core values used
daily to care for clients. It facilitates professional self-regulation and accountability,
describes obligations to both client and colleague relationships, and serves as a guide
for analysis, decision, and action (Fowler, 2015).
As you learn more about nursing principles, consider your own values and how they
compare to professional standards. What type of nurse will you be and how will you
function within the profession?
Professional Code of Ethics
In previous college ethics courses, you may have studied the foundations of healthcare
ethics. Nurses study ethics to understand their responsibilities to act ethically and be
accountable for their actions as guided by our professional standards.
Remember that a code of ethics is a set of guidelines that all members of a profession
accept. Nursing guidelines reflect advocacy, responsibility, accountability, and
confidentiality.
1. Advocacy: “The act or process of supporting a cause or proposal. Nurses
instinctively advocate for their patients, in their workplaces, and in their
communities.” (AACN, 2021, p. 55)
2. Responsibility: “An obligation to perform required professional activities at a level
commensurate with one’s education and in compliance with applicable laws and
standards; the opportunity or ability to act independently and make decisions
without authorizations; refers to the blameworthiness or praiseworthiness that one
bears for one’s conduct or the performance of duties. It is often expressed as
liability for one’s actions and may be apportioned in degree based on
circumstances.” (Fowler, 2015, p. 59)
Week 3 & 4 Edapt 2
, 3. Accountability: “To be answerable to oneself and others for one’s own choices,
decisions, and actions as measured against a standard such as that established by
the Code of Ethics for Nurses With Interpretative Statements” (Fowler, 2015, p. 59)
4. Confidentiality: “The nondisclosure of patient secrets or information without patient
authorization” (Fowler, 2015, p. 43)
Code of Ethics for Nurses
The American Nursing Association (ANA, 2015) Code of Ethics for Nurses provides
decision-making tools to help nurses in practice and in ethical dilemmas. Its nine
provisions explore the nurse's commitments and fundamental principles, describe duty
and loyalty, and even guide the nurse in interactions outside the practice setting
(Fowler, 2015).
The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses With Interpretive Statements was developed as a
guide for carrying out nursing responsibilities in a manner consistent with the quality of
nursing and the ethical obligations of the profession (Fowler, 2015).
Provision 1
The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity,
worth, and unique attributes of every person.
Provision 2
The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group,
community, or population.
Provision 3
The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the
patient.
Provision 4
The nurse has authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice; makes
decisions;
and takes action consistent with the obligation to provide optimal patient care.
Provision 5
The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility
Week 3 & 4 Edapt 3
, to promote health and safety, preserve wholeness of character and integrity, maintain
competence,
and continue personal and professional growth.
Provision 6
The nurse, through individual and collective effort, establishes, maintains, and improves
the ethical
environment of the work setting and conditions of employment that are conducive to
safe, quality healthcare.
Provision 7
The nurse in all roles and settings advances the profession through research and
scholarly inquiry,
professional standards development, and the generation of both nursing and health
policy.
Provision 8
The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public to protect human
rights,
promote health diplomacy, and reduce health disparities.
Provision 9
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.
1893 Nightingale Pledge
The nursing code of ethics began with the Nightingale Pledge in 1893.
Hear the Nightingale Pledge here!
1896 American Nurses Association
Week 3 & 4 Edapt 4
Introduction to the American Nurses
Association Code of Ethics
A professional code of ethics is the trademark of a profession and is a statement of
goals, values, and obligations held by the members of the group that defines the nature
of professional relationships (LeDuc & Kotzer, 2009).
The American Nurses Association’s (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses guides practice
through a set of professional values expected from every member of the profession,
including future nurses. The code is formally revised every 10 years, with the last
revision in 2015.
Miller et al. (1991) described the ANA Code of Ethics as a contract between nurses and
society, and that contract is relevant in any situation. The code is non-negotiable in any
setting (Fowler, 2015).
The ANA code of ethics is a contract between nurses & society, and that contract is
relevant in any situation. Code is non negotiable in any setting.
Week 3 & 4 Edapt 1
, Nursing as a Profession
Nursing is not simply a job where you perform a collection of skills; it is a trusted
profession. Nurses are not just trained individuals who perform specific tasks. We are
professionals.
A code of ethics is the hallmark of a profession. The nursing code of ethics is a
statement of philosophical ideals of right and wrong and defines the core values used
daily to care for clients. It facilitates professional self-regulation and accountability,
describes obligations to both client and colleague relationships, and serves as a guide
for analysis, decision, and action (Fowler, 2015).
As you learn more about nursing principles, consider your own values and how they
compare to professional standards. What type of nurse will you be and how will you
function within the profession?
Professional Code of Ethics
In previous college ethics courses, you may have studied the foundations of healthcare
ethics. Nurses study ethics to understand their responsibilities to act ethically and be
accountable for their actions as guided by our professional standards.
Remember that a code of ethics is a set of guidelines that all members of a profession
accept. Nursing guidelines reflect advocacy, responsibility, accountability, and
confidentiality.
1. Advocacy: “The act or process of supporting a cause or proposal. Nurses
instinctively advocate for their patients, in their workplaces, and in their
communities.” (AACN, 2021, p. 55)
2. Responsibility: “An obligation to perform required professional activities at a level
commensurate with one’s education and in compliance with applicable laws and
standards; the opportunity or ability to act independently and make decisions
without authorizations; refers to the blameworthiness or praiseworthiness that one
bears for one’s conduct or the performance of duties. It is often expressed as
liability for one’s actions and may be apportioned in degree based on
circumstances.” (Fowler, 2015, p. 59)
Week 3 & 4 Edapt 2
, 3. Accountability: “To be answerable to oneself and others for one’s own choices,
decisions, and actions as measured against a standard such as that established by
the Code of Ethics for Nurses With Interpretative Statements” (Fowler, 2015, p. 59)
4. Confidentiality: “The nondisclosure of patient secrets or information without patient
authorization” (Fowler, 2015, p. 43)
Code of Ethics for Nurses
The American Nursing Association (ANA, 2015) Code of Ethics for Nurses provides
decision-making tools to help nurses in practice and in ethical dilemmas. Its nine
provisions explore the nurse's commitments and fundamental principles, describe duty
and loyalty, and even guide the nurse in interactions outside the practice setting
(Fowler, 2015).
The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses With Interpretive Statements was developed as a
guide for carrying out nursing responsibilities in a manner consistent with the quality of
nursing and the ethical obligations of the profession (Fowler, 2015).
Provision 1
The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity,
worth, and unique attributes of every person.
Provision 2
The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group,
community, or population.
Provision 3
The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the
patient.
Provision 4
The nurse has authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice; makes
decisions;
and takes action consistent with the obligation to provide optimal patient care.
Provision 5
The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility
Week 3 & 4 Edapt 3
, to promote health and safety, preserve wholeness of character and integrity, maintain
competence,
and continue personal and professional growth.
Provision 6
The nurse, through individual and collective effort, establishes, maintains, and improves
the ethical
environment of the work setting and conditions of employment that are conducive to
safe, quality healthcare.
Provision 7
The nurse in all roles and settings advances the profession through research and
scholarly inquiry,
professional standards development, and the generation of both nursing and health
policy.
Provision 8
The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public to protect human
rights,
promote health diplomacy, and reduce health disparities.
Provision 9
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.
1893 Nightingale Pledge
The nursing code of ethics began with the Nightingale Pledge in 1893.
Hear the Nightingale Pledge here!
1896 American Nurses Association
Week 3 & 4 Edapt 4
