Code_of_Ethics

Running head: CODE OF ETHICS Code of Ethics Axia College of University of Phoenix Health Care Ethics and Social Responsibility HCS/335 Patricia Tobin April 25, 2011 Code of Ethics Nurses around the world are to follow a strict code of ethics. The American Nurses Association (ANA) of 2001 Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements outlines the clear goals and values of the nursing and the ethical practice. This ethically practice prepares nurses to deal with the challenges that will arise in their practice. The nurse’s code of ethics provides guidance for behaviors, ethical responsibilities, decision-making, and relationships. This ethical practice is the foundation for The Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses and should be used with existing regulations and laws and professional standards in guiding current and new nurse practitioners. During this paper the code of ethics for registered nurses will be examined along with the clarity of goals, identifying ethical principles, and grievance procedures. I will also give an opinion to the feasibility of enforcing the code of ethics and recommendations for strengthening potential weak area of nursing code of ethics as it is written. Nurse practitioners are responsible for safeguarding patient’s private information while providing care to the best of his or her abilities. The evolution of the nursing profession and their goals has become more complex within the last century. The College Nursing Programs. (2009) website nurses have an ethical obligation to provide all patients the same standard of care and compassion, regardless of the patient’s nature of the illness. The decisions that new and current nurses encounter daily, range from life and death decisions to the responsibility of ensuring patient safety while operating new medical technology. The profession of nursing is very reputable and allows those involved to be part of a profession which is self-regulating. The Code of Ethics basis of feedback and for a nurse to be subjected to peer-reviews allows self-evaluation and self-reflection and serves the purpose of principled nursing practice (College Nursing Programs., 2009). The Code of Ethics provides the public, health care workers, and all nurses’ information about the social responsibilities and moral commitments required in this profession (College Nursing Programs., 2009). This type of ethical practice is based upon the work environments quality to aid in the delivery. A nurse must treat all patients with the same level of care and respect regardless of his or her ethnicity, religion, or economic status. The first priority of a nurse is provide his or hers highest level of care and commitment to patients while ensuring maintaining their safety and protecting his or her best interests. Another ethical principle imperative is maintaining professional boundaries, and it is the responsibility of nurses to strive to maintain professionalism and high standards (enotes.com, 2011). While receiving care patients have the right to privacy while retaining both ethical and legal right to protection to his or her medical information. A nurse is also responsible to be aware of the community health needs while remaining active politically to promote health. Environmental threats to the community’s health can include barriers that cause a lack of access to health care facilities and nurses act as a link between the community and medical facilities. The ANA grievance procedure is a tool that protects nurses and their employment rights as union members. The collective bargaining agreement enforces the grievance process and establishes employment conditions and memberships terms (Frick, 2010). The membership empowers union members while safeguarding economic interests. The governing rules at each step of the grievance process are also determined by the collective bargaining agreement as are the number of steps involved. Within the grievance procedure a settlement can be made no matter what step in the process it may be in. The issue of the feasibility of enforcing the Nursing Code of Ethics is an interesting topic that remains open for debate. The practice of ethics within the nursing practice is the responsibility of each individual nurse. This is clearly stated within the code by labeling this profession as mostly being self-regulating. The observation of ethical behavior as the nurse is caring for a patient can be observed and reviewed through the participation of patients, family members, and peers, and through this course of action enforcement can take place. Performance evaluations and peer reviews are other examples of assessing a nurse’s commitment to the code and his or her ethical practices. These measures of accountability are minor methods of enforcing the Nursing Code, and thus the responsibility still remains largely in the hands of each nurse in conducting him or herself appropriately in regard to the code. I believe through continued education of nurses must continue to range through many of the current needs of elderly patients and an increased workforce of nurses can strengthen and improve the code. The ever-changing technologies influences, creates different roles for nurses in the delivery of health care and thus continued education is needed. Improving the collection of patient medical data and the availability of that information to nurses and other medical professionals can improve care and potential outcomes for patients (Frick, 2010). Another possible strengthen measure is to require a longer probationer period for new nurses. In conclusion, the significance of the code of ethics in nursing is the devotion of the individuals who choose this career to pledge and commit to the care of those in need. The young, the disabled, the weak, and the elderly have entrusted nurses and caregivers to heal and help them recover in their struggle for health (enotes.com, 2011). This honor must be respected and held to the highest standard by nurses and caregivers to strive to be at their best when providing care to the public. The ethical responsibilities and specific values outlined in the nursing code remain the expectations for nursing students and registered nurses to abide by. Reference College Nursing Programs... (2009). Code of Ethics for Nurses. Retrieved from http://www.nursingcollegeprograms.com/codeofethicsnurses.html enotes.com. (2011). Code of Ethics for Nurses. Retrieved from http://www.enotes.com/nursing-encyclopedia/code-ethics-nurses Frick, J. (2010). American Nurses Association Code of Ethics. eHow. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/about_6746584_american-association-code-ethics-nurses.html