Ethical Code
The What's and Why's of a Nursing Code of Ethics
An ethical code has been established for the nursing profession in Canada.
When ethical decision making is necessary in nursing practice, the nursing code of ethics provides the guidelines for
those decisions.
What is an ethical code?
Ethics refers to right and wrong in how humans conduct themselves in relation to one another.
It is a formalized statement of the
beliefs held by a specific group about how human relationships should be conducted.
In the context of the nursing profession in Canada, nurses establish therapeutic relationships with
clients, conduct their nursing practice collaboratively with other health care professionals,
and work within the publicly funded
Canadian health care system.
This context can be very complicated as there are many individual and group interests that may be in conflict.
A nursing code of ethics establishes the main priorities and values for the nursing profession
as a guide for ethical decision making.
What purpose is served by having an nursing code of ethics?
A written and formal ethical code:
- Informs the public about the minimum expectations of the profession
- help the public to understand professional nursing conduct
- Provides a sign of the professional commitment to the public interest
- Outlines the major ethical considerations of the profession
- Provides general guidelines for professional behaviour
- Guides the profession in self regulation
- Reminds nurses of the social responsibility they assume when caring for patients.
As a nurse in Canada you would be expected to conduct your own individual nursing practice in an ethical manner.
As a group the nursing profession is collectively responsible for defining the beliefs and values
of the profession and formalizing that into an ethical code.
The Canadian nursing code of ethics is not a code of conduct. The ethical code articulates the basic
underlying values of the nursing profession but does not define specific behaviours expected of nurses.
When engaged in ethical decision making, you would be expected to use the guidelines in deciding on a course of action.
Eleven of the thirteen provinces and territories in Canada require nurses to use the
ethical code provided by the Canadian Nurses' Association.
Nursing practice standards in
these 11 provinces and territories state something to the effect that nurse are required to practice ethically
using the Canadian Nurses' Association Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses.
Ontario and Quebec are not members of the Canadian Nurses Association.
The College of Nurses of Ontario has incorporated ethical values
into the nursing practice standards as this example demonstrates.
Ethics
"Each nurse understands, upholds and
promotes the values and beliefs described in
the College's Ethics practice standard.
Ethical nursing care means promoting the values
of client well-being, respecting client choice,
assuring privacy and confidentiality, respecting
sanctity and quality of life, maintaining
commitments, respecting truthfulness, and
ensuring fairness in the use of resources. It
also includes acting with integrity, honesty and
professionalism in all dealings with the client
and other health team members."
The Canadian Registered Nurse Exam is a national exam and all nurses must enter the nursing profession
with the same
entry level competency in ethical nursing practice.
Here is a list of all the the pages on this website (including this one) that contain more specific information about ethics in nursing.
Nursing Ethics in Canada - an introduction to the regulations
that require ethical nursing practice in Canada.
What is the
Nursing Code of Ethics
for nursing practice in Canada?
The What's and Why's of an
Ethical Code for Nursing Practice
Ethical Theories - a brief explanation of the three classifications of ethical theories used most often by nurses
What is an
Ethical Dilemma in Nursing Practice? - a description of the ethical principles used in moral reasoning in nursing practice.
Ethical Decision Making in Nursing Practice - the Influence of Personal and Professional Values
Ethical Issues in Nursing Practice in Canada - What are Some of the Current Ethical Issues in Nursing?
The requirement for
Ethics in Nursing Curriculum in Canada
