What it means
For nurses in the United States, the main one is the American Nurses Associationuh-MAIR-ih-kun NUR-siz uh-soh-see-AY-shunThe professional organization for registered nurses in the United States.Full entry Code of Ethics for Nurses, which sets out duties such as respect for every person's dignity, commitment to the client, protecting the client's rights and safety, and accountability for one's own practice. The International Council of Nurses has a code used worldwide. The core ethical principles behind them include autonomyaw-TON-uh-meeA person's right to make their own choices about their body and their care.Full entry , beneficence (doing good), nonmaleficence (doing no harm) and justice.
For the nurse
Use the code when a situation feels wrong: speak up for the client, report unsafe practice through the chain of command, and keep confidentiality.
At a glance
| Spanish | código de ética |
|---|---|
| Also written | code-of-ethics |
Related terms
American Nurses Association
The professional organization for registered nurses in the United States.
advocate
To speak up and act for a client's rights, safety and wishes; also, a person who does this.
autonomy
A person's right to make their own choices about their body and their care.
scope of practice
The actions and duties a licensed professional is legally allowed to perform.