What the Code of Ethics means to me: Anne Hirsch
This Year of Ethics should encourage all of us to reflect on how we treat each other, our students, our colleagues and our patients. Are we always behaving in a manner that is congruent with our profession’s Code? Can we do better?
November 3, 2015 • 3 minutes to read
The Code of Ethics wasn’t meant to sit on a shelf. It was meant to be a guide for nurses in their daily practice, whether as a nursing student, a staff nurse, an educator or a nurse administrator. So, we asked you, our members, for some of your perspectives on and how it applies to you and your profession. Here are some of the answers we got back.
The Code of Ethics is foundational to nursing education
The “Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements” (ANA, 2015) is foundational to the profession and a crucial document for every quality nursing educational program. As a profession, it is imperative that we have a framework for ethical decision-making in the provision of quality patient care across all levels, roles and health care settings. As nurse educators, we share this seminal document with our students at the beginning of their program of study. Subsequent courses in the curriculum build on the foundation provided by the fundamental values and commitment that nurses embrace in their endeavors to fulfill their professional roles. In addition to sharing the ethical standards inherent in high-quality nursing practice with our students, we must serve as role models, demonstrating ethical behavior and making all decisions based on a sound foundation of ethics.
It is so important that we recognize our very rich heritage as nurses and fully appreciate the legacy that our forebears gifted to us. Without their vigilance and adherence to strong values, we would not enjoy our current status as members of the most trusted profession. What an incredible honor it is to be a nurse and carry on the tradition of not only caring for our patients and communities but also caring for each other. Carrying on the tradition is also a responsibility that we must take very seriously. Treating our patients, and each other, in an ethical manner is not only possible, it is expected, because we have a Code of Ethics that includes interpretative statements that provide specific guidance for practice.
This Year of Ethics (ANA, 2015) should encourage all of us to reflect on how we treat each other, our students, our colleagues and our patients. Are we always behaving in a manner that is congruent with our profession’s ? Can we do better? The ANA must serve as a blueprint for ethical practice and for the establishment of relationships that are based on ethical principles. The recent changes in our health care environment are based on the ethical principle of distributive justice and will lead to the provision of quality care for the underinsured and the uninsured. These changes will also necessitate a strong nursing workforce to provide care to an expanded population of patients. New graduates and nurses need to stay in their chosen profession, continue to advocate for all patients, foster interprofessional collaboration and help to ensure the long-term sustainability of our health care system. Professionals who establish relationships with patients, families and colleagues, based on the ANA , will flourish in a workplace environment that is supportive, effective, positive and caring.