What is the Code For Nursing?

Nursing is a profession that places on its participants4. The nurse assumes responsibility and accountability
a great responsibility for maintaining the highestfor individual nursing judgments and actions.
possible standards to ensure superior quality of care.5. The nurse maintains competence in nursing.
Each state has its own Board of Nursing which is6. The nurse exercises informed judgment and uses
responsible for the regulation and licensing of nursingindividual competence and qualifications as criteria in
practice. As the profession of nursing continues toseeking consultation, accepting responsibilities, and
grow and change the practicing nurse will bear moredelegating nursing activities to others.
responsibility as well as legal accountability for their7. The nurse participates in activities that contribute
actions. This truth is evident in the variousto the ongoing development of the profession's body
professional licensures that are available for nurses,of knowledge.
such as Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwifes and Nurse8. The nurse participates in the profession's efforts
Anesthetists. It therefore behooves each licensingto implement and improve standards of nursing.
board to not only self regulate judiciously but to also9. The nurse participates in the profession's efforts
refine the scope of nurse practice from time to time.to establish and maintain conditions of employment
The individual states must also act in accordance withconducive to high quality nursing care.
the overall nursing theory in mind. Self regulation is10. The nurse participates in the profession's effort
done by continually refining such goals asto protect the public from misinformation and
1) Defining its scope of nursing practice,misrepresentation and to maintain the integrity of
2) Developing a code of ethic,nursing.
3) Establishing standards for nursing education and11. The nurse collaborates with member so the health
practice and for structures through which nursingprofessions and other citizens in promoting
services will be delivered,community and national efforts to meet the health
4) Developing a system of credentialing,needs of the public. (Michigan Nurses Association,
5) Providing for peer review and quality assurance,Legal & Professional Regulation,, Co. 1999,
6) Providing for research and continuing developmentISBN0-9634643-1-0, Okemos, Michigan)
of the knowledge base for nursing. (Michigan NursesOne can interpret from the above Nurse Code that
Association, Legal & Professional Regulation,, Co.many of the hospitals employ a similar code to their
1999, ISBN0-9634643-1-0, Okemos, Michigan)organization for promotion of client health care needs.
As with most professions there is a code of ethicsSome of the principals that hospitals employ include
that are inherent to each. Nursing is no different. Thethe responsibility of each of its employees to
code for nurses consists of eleven major topics thatmaintain the highest standards of care for each client
each nurse across the nation is required to adhere.served, to judiciously guard the privacy of clients, to
Code for Nursesmaintain a safe environment and to take independent
1. The nurse provides services with respect foraction when a situation arises where they are the
human dignity and the uniqueness of the clientonly one that can act.
unrestricted by consideration of social or economicThere are states that allow nurses that have
status, personal attributes, or the nature of healthattained advanced practice degrees to write
problems.prescriptions and bill insurance agencies independently.
2. The nurse safeguards the client's right to privacy,With the health care field burgeoning continuously
by judiciously protecting information of a confidentialwith a growing aging population, the need for Nurse
nature.Practitioners will also continue to grow as well as the
3. The nurse acts to safeguard the client and theresponsibilities of the Registered Nurse.
public when heath care and safety are affected byLearn more about nursing education at The NET
the incompetent, unethical or illegal practice of anyStudy Guide.
person.