Code of ethics and Code of Professional Conduct

CODE OF ETHICS AND
CODE OF
PROFESSIONAL
CONDUCT
PRESENTED BY,
KEKAL KENNETH VINIT
1ST YEAR MSC NURSING
SYMBIOSIS COLLEGE OF NURSING

Specific Objectives
 Introduction of Code of Ethics.
 Meaning of Nursing.
 Definition of Ethics.
 Purposes of Ethics.
 Uses of Ethics.
 The INC code.
 Ethical principles.
 INC code of ethics for Nurses in India.
 INC code of professional conduct for
Nurses in India.

INTRODUCTION
 Within any given profession, a code of ethics serves as a means of
self regulation and a source of guidelines for individual behaviour
and responsibility. Professional code of ethics are a system rules
and principles by which that profession is expected to regulate its
members and demonstrate its responsibilities to the society.
 In India, Nurses are following the international council of Nurses
code for nurses 1993.

Meaning of Nursing
 Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of
individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or
well and in all settings. It includes the promotion of health, the
prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying
people.

Definition of Ethics
 These are the principles of conduct governing one’s relationship
with others, basic beliefs about right and wrong.
 The nursing code of ethics is a guide for “carrying out nursing
responsibilities in a manner consistent with quality in nursing
care and the ethical obligations of the profession”.
- American Nurses Association

Purposes
 Standards for the behaviors of the nurses and provide general
guidelines for the nursing action.
 Helps to distinguish between the Right and the Wrong.
 Enables a correct decision.
 Protect the rights of the Individual.

Uses
 Acknowledges the rightful place
of individuals in health care
delivery system.
 Contributes towards
empowerment of individuals to
become responsible for their
health and well-being.
 Contributes to quality care.
 Identifies obligations in practice,
research and relationships.
 Informs the individuals, families,
community and other
professionals about expectations
of a nurse.

THE INC CODE
The INC code of ethics for Nurses have five principle elements that
outline the standards of the ethical conduct.
ELEMENTS OF THE CODE
1. Nurses and People.
2. Nurses and Practice.
3. Nurses and Society.
4. Nurses and Co-workers.
5. Nurses and the Profession.

1.Nurses and People
 The nurse’s primary responsibility is to that person
who requires Nursing care.
 The nurse provides care, promotes an environment
in which the values, costumes and the spiritual
beliefs of the individual are respected.
 The nurse holds confidence, personal information
and uses judgement in sharing their information.
 The nurse ensures that the individual receives
sufficient information on which to base consent for
care and related treatment.
 The nurse shares with the society the responsibility
for initiating and supporting action to meet the
health and social needs of the public

2.Nurses and Practice
 The nurse carries personal responsibility for nursing
practice, for maintaining competence by continuing
learning.
 The nurse maintains a standard of personal health such
that the ability to provide care is not compromised.
 The nurse uses judgement regarding individual
competence when accepting and delegating
responsibility.
 The nurse at all times maintains standards of personal
conduct which reflect well on the profession and
enhance public confidence.
 The nurse, in providing care ensures that use of
technology and scientific advances are compatible with
the safety, dignity and rights of the people.

3.Nurse and Society
 The nurse shares with other
citizens the responsibility for
initiating and supporting
actions to meet the health and
social needs of the public.
 Recognize and perform the
duties of citizenship.
 Aware of laws and regulations
which affect the practice of
medicine and nursing.

4. Nurses and Co-workers
 The nurse sustains a cooperative
relationship with co-workers in
nursing and other fields.
 The nurse takes appropriate
action to safeguard individuals,
families and communities when
their health is endangered by a
co-worker or any other person.

5. Nurses and the Profession
 The nurse plays the major role in determining
and implementing desirable standards of
nursing practice and nursing education.
 The nurse is active in developing a care of
professional knowledge.
 The nurse acting through the professional
organization, participates in establishing and
maintaining equitable, social and economic
working conditions in nursing.

Ethical Principles
“The most fundamental universal principle is respect for the people”
The major Ethical principles are:
 Autonomy : It is called as Freedom of choice or accepting
responsibility for one’s choice. So it requires that health personnel
obtain a patient’s informed consent for treatment and for participation
in research.
 Beneficence : The beneficence principle states that the actions one take
should be in an effort to promote the good. It requires the balancing of
Harms and Benefits.
 Nonmaleficence : The principle states that one should do no harm.
The nurse should interpret the term “HARM” to mean emotional and
social as well as physical injury.

Ethical Principles
 Veracity : It means “Obligation to tell the truth”. It
requires professional caregiver to provide with accurate,
reality based information about their health status to the
patient’s.
 Justice : It concerns the issue that person should be
treated equally and fairly.
 Fidelity : It is keeping one’s promises and commitment.
The principle of fidelity holds that the person should
faithfully fulfill his duties and obligations.
 Confidentiality : It is the duty to respect privileged
information. The principle of confidentiality provide that
caregivers should respect the patient’s needs for privacy
and use of personal information about him/her only to
improve care.

INC Code of Ethics for Nurses in India
 The nurse respects the uniqueness of the individual in
provision of care.
1. Provides care for individuals without consideration of caste,
creed, religion, culture, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic and
political status, personal attributes or any other grounds.
2. Providing care considering the beliefs, values and cultural
sensitivities.
3. Appreciates the place of the individual in family and community
and facilitates participation of significant others in the care.
4. Develops and promotes a trustful relationship with the
individuals.
5. Recognizes the uniqueness of response of the individuals to
interventions and adapts accordingly.

INC Code of Ethics
for Nurses in India
 The nurse respects the rights of
individuals as partner in care
and helps in making informed
choices.
1. Respects the decision made by
the individual regarding their
care.
2. Protects public from
misinformation and
misinterpretations,
3. Advocates special provision to
protect vulnerable
individuals/groups.

INC Code of Ethics for Nurses
in India
 The nurse respects individual’s right to privacy, maintains
confidentiality and shares information judiciously.
1. Respects the individuals right to privacy of their personal information.
2. Maintains confidentiality of privileged information except in life
threatening situation and uses discretion in sharing information.
 Nurse maintains competence in order to render quality nursing
care.
1. Nursing care must be provided only by a registered nurse.
2. Nurse strive to maintain quality nursing care and also upholds the
standard of care.
3. Nurse values continuing education, initiates and utilizes all
opportunities for self development.
4. Nurse values research as a means of development of nursing
profession.

INC Code of Ethics for Nurses in India
 The nurse should practice within the framework of ethical,
professional and legal boundaries.
1. Follow/practice the code of ethics and code of professional
conduct for nurses in India developed by Indian Nursing
Council.
2. Should be familiar with the relevant laws and practice in
accordance with the laws of the state.
 Nurse is obliged to work harmoniously with the members of
the health team.
1. Appreciate the team efforts.
2. Co-operates, co-ordinates and collaborates with the members of
the health team to meet the needs of the people.

INC Code of Professional conduct for
Nurses in India
 Professional Responsibility and Accountability.
 Appreciates sense of self worth and nurtures it.
 Carries out responsibilities within the framework of the
professional boundaries.
 Is accountable for maintaining practice standards set by Indian
Nursing Council.
 Is accountable for own decisions and actions.
 Is compassionate.
 Is responsible for continuous improvement of current practices.
 Provides adequate information to the individuals that allows them
informed choices.

Nurses in India
 Nursing Practice
 Provides care in accordance with set standards of practice.
 Treats all individuals and families with human dignity in
providing physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual
aspects of care.
 Respects individuals and families in the context of traditional and
cultural practices.
 Ensures safe practice.
 Presents realistic picture truthfully in all situations for facilitating
autonomous decision making by individuals and families.

Nurses in India
 Communication and Interpersonal Relationships.
 Establishes and maintain effective interpersonal relationship with
individuals, families and the communities.
 Upholds the dignity of team members and maintain effective
interpersonal relationship with them.
 Appreciated and nurtures the professional role of team members.
 Co-operates with other health professionals to meet the needs of
the individuals, families and the communities.

INC Code of Professional conduct for Nurses in
India
 Valuing Human Being.
 Takes appropriate action to protect
individuals from harmful unethical
practices.
 Encourages and support individuals in
their right to speak for themselves on
issues affecting their health and welfare.
 Respects and supports choices made by
the individuals

Nurses in India
 Management.
 Ensures appropriate allocation and utilization of the resources.
 Participates in supervision and education of students and other
formal care providers.
 Facilitates conductive work culture in order to achieve
institutional objectives.
 Communicates appropriately using channels of communications.
 Participates in performance appraisal and evaluation of nursing
services.
 Works with individuals to identify their needs and funding
agencies for resources allocation.

Nurses in India
 Professional Advancement.
 Ensures the protection of human rights while
pursuing the advancement of knowledge.
 Contributes to the development.
 Participates in determining and implementing
quality care.
 Takes responsibility for updating own
knowledge.
 Contributes to the core of professional
knowledge by conducting and participating in
research.

Bibliography
1. Navdeep kaur Brar, “Textbook of Advanced Nursing
Practice” 1st Edition. The health sciences publisher, New
Delhi, 2015.
2. Basvanthappa BT. “Nursing administration”, 2nd edition.
Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers Pvt Ltd. New Delhi.
3. Zwemer A. “Professional adjustments and ethics of nurses in
India”. 6th edition. BI Publications Pvt Ltd, 2002.
4. Shebeer P. Basheer, A concise textbook of Advanced Nursing
Practice, Bangalore, Emmess medical publishers.
5. www.nursingworld.org/codeofethicsfornurses.

Code of ethics and Code of Professional Conduct

More Related Content

What's hot

Similar to Code of ethics and Code of Professional Conduct

Recently uploaded

Code of ethics and Code of Professional Conduct