Nursing Code of Ethics
Guidelines for Ethical Decision Making in Canadian Nursing Practice

A nursing code of ethics is a formal statement about the values and beliefs of the nursing profession. An ethical code for nurses provides guidelines for ethical decision making in nursing practice.

Florence Nightingale herself was the first nurse to set out guidelines for ethical nursing practice.

This quote illustrates that even in 1859 the founder of the nursing profession understood the ethical principle of non-malfeasance or "do no harm".

"It may seem a strange principle to enunciate as the very first requirement in a Hospital that it should do the sick no harm." Florence Nightingale

Both the Hippocratic Oath recited by physicians and the Nightingale Pledge written in 1893 by Lystra Gretter refer to concepts that are now described as ethical values.

Shown here in each of these oaths is the reference to the ethical value of confidentiality.

Nightingale Pledge "....and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling."

Hippocratic Oath "Whatever, in connection with my professional practice, or not in connection with it, I may see or hear in the lives of men which ought not to be spoken abroad, I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret."

What is the Canadian Nursing Code of Ethics?

The ethical code used by registered nurses in Canada is the Canadian Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses formulated by the Canadian Nurses Association. This code provides guidelines for ethical decision making in nursing practice.

An ethical code articulates the underlying values of the nursing profession and gives guidelines for nurses in establishing ethical relationships and making ethical decisions.

The Canadian Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses formulated by the Canadian Nurses Association is structured around 7 values:

1. Safe, compassionate, competent and ethical care
2. Health and well-being
3. Informed decision making
4. Dignity
5. Privacy and confidentiality
6. Justice
7. Accountability

If you want to become a nurse in Canada you must be familiar with the Canadian nursing code of ethics. The Canadian Registered Nurse Exam will have content that tests your knowledge of ethics in nursing.

You should know what each of the professional ethical values mean and be able to apply those values to a situation given in an exam.

A typical question on the Canadian Registered Nurse exam would be to provide you with a case that presents an ethical dilemma. You would then have to select the most appropriate nursing action from the answers given. This selection will be more difficult if you are not aware of the values upon which the decision should be based.

Go back to Nursing Ethics and Nursing Practice in Canada

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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

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