INTRODUCTION:

 Code is a collection of laws or a system of rules and regulation. In the context of a code adopted by a
profession or by a governmental or quasi- governmental organization to regulate that profession.
 The ethics are moral principles that govern a person's behaviour or the conducting of an activity.
 Ethics is also known as moral philosophy which is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions
about morality that deals with concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice,
etc.
DEFINITION:
Code:

 According to Melanie and Evelyn, “ethics refers to the moral code for nursing and is based on
obligation to service and respect for human life”.

Ethics:

 According to sister Nancy, “ethics are the rules or principles the govern right conduct and are designed
to protect the rights of human beings”.

Code of ethics:

 According to Potter and Perry, “a code of ethics is a set of ethical principles that are accepted by all
members of a profession”.
 According to Barbara kozier, “a code of ethics is a set of ethical principles that,
1. Is shared by members of a group
2. Reflects their moral judgments over time
3. Serves as a standard for their professional actions

PURPOSES:
 Guide the profession in self-regulation
 Outline the major ethical consideration of the profession.Provide ethical standards for professional
behavior
 Remind nurses of the special responsibility they assume when caring for the sick.
 It serves as a mark of professional maturity and professionalism
 It serves as a frame work to making ethical decisions as it provides a means of evaluating alternative
course of action.
USES:
 Acknowledges the rightful place of Individuals in health care delivery system. 
 Contributes towards empowerment of individuals to become responsible for their health and well-being.

 Contributes to quality care. 
 Identifies obligations in practice, research and relationships. 
 Informs the individuals, families, community and other professionals about expectations of a nurse.

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES:
 While making decision, a nurse manage should consider the following ethical principles:
Autonomy:
 The autonomy addresses the personal freedom and the right to make choices or decisions. Informed
consent is one of the examples of autonomy.
Beneficence:
 The principle state the actions to promote good. Nurse can be prompted by this principle to
encourage the patient undergo extensive, painful treatment procedures, especially if these procedures
increase both the quality and quantity of the life of the patient.
Non-maleficence:
 This principle states that one should do no harm. For nurse manager , this principle can be used for
performance evaluation which emphasize the worker’s qualities and give positive directions for their
growth.
Veracity:
This principle is concerned with telling truth completely. Nurse managers use this principle while giving
facts about all the situations truthfully and help the employee to take decisions.
Justice:
This principles states to treat all the persons equally and fairly. Every employee should be considered
equally in all the situations, may it be giving leave or holiday during the time of competition, promotion etc.
No partiality should be done on the part of the nurse manager to the employees.
Paternalism:
This principle allows one person to make decisions for another when other person lacks expertise. Nurse
managers use this principle to assist the employees in deciding major career moves and plans.
Fidelity:
This principle means to keep one’s promises or commitments. Nurse managers follow this principle when
they keep promises made to the employees in the past, may it be a promised leave, promotion etc.
Respect for others:
This principles states the mutual respect between two persons or in the team. Nurse managers reinforce
this principle by serving as role models for the staff members and others in the unit.

CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSE BY INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR

NURSES(ICN):
AMENDMENTS:
  An international code of ethics for nurses was first adopted by the International Council of Nurses
(ICN) in 1953.
 It has been revised and reaffirmed at various times since, most recently with this review and revision
completed in 2006. 
PREAMBLE: 
 Nurses have four fundamental responsibilities: to promote health, to prevent illness, to restore health
and to alleviate suffering. The need for nursing is universal. 
 Inherent in nursing is respect for human rights, including cultural rights, the right to life and choice, to
dignity and to be treated with respect. Nursing care is respectful of and unrestricted by considerations of
age, colour, creed, culture, disability or illness, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, politics, race or
social status. 
 Nurses render health services to the individual, the family and the community and co-ordinate their
services with those of related groups.
THE ICN CODE :
The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses has four principal elements that outline the standards of ethical conduct.
ELEMENTS OF THE CODE:
1. NURSES AND PEOPLE :
The nurse’s primary professional responsibility is to people requiring nursing care. In providing care, the
nurse promotes an environment in which the human rights, values, customs and spiritual beliefs of the
individual, family and community are respected. The nurse ensures that the individual receives sufficient
information on which to base consent for care and related treatment. The nurse holds in confidence personal
information and uses judgement in sharing this information. The nurse shares with society the responsibility
for initiating and supporting action to meet the health and social needs of the public, in particular those of
vulnerable populations. The nurse also shares responsibility to sustain and protect the natural environment
from depletion, pollution, degradation and destruction.
2. NURSES AND PRACTICE:
The nurse carries personal responsibility and accountability for nursing practice, and for maintaining
competence by continual learning. The nurse maintains a standard of personal health such that the ability to
provide care is not compromised. The nurse uses judgement regarding individual competence when
accepting and delegating responsibility. The nurse at all times maintains standards of personal conduct
which reflect well on the profession and enhance public confidence. The nurse, in providing care, ensures
that use of technology and scientific advances are compatible with the safety, dignity and rights of people.
3. NURSES AND THE PROFESSION:
The nurse assumes the major role in determining and implementing acceptable standards of clinical nursing
practice, management, research and education. The nurse is active in developing a core of research- based
professional knowledge. The nurse, acting through the professional organisation, participates in creating and
maintaining safe, equitable social and economic working conditions in nursing.
4. NURSES AND CO-WORKERS:
The nurse sustains a co-operative relationship with co-workers in nursing and other fields. The nurse
takes appropriate action to safeguard individuals, families and communities when their health is endangered
by a co- worker or any other person.
5. NURSES AND SOCIETY :
Participate and share responsibility with other citizens & other health professionals. Recognize and perform
the duties of citizenship. Aware of laws and regulations which affect the practice of medicine and nursing.

CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT BY INDIAL NURSES

COUNCIL(INC):
INTRODUCTION:
The code of professional conduct for nurses is critical for building professionalism and accountability.
Ethical considerations are area dealing with human beings because they represent values, rights and
relationships. The nurse must have professional competence, responsibility and accountability with moral
obligation.
AMENDMENTS:
  It is an autonomous body under the Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,
constituted by the Central Government under section 3(1) of the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947
of Indian parliament.
 Since 1947 Indian Nursing Council Act has undergone minimal amendments.
 This resulted in several anomalies that have impacted the morale of Registered Nurses in India
especially those practicing in the private sector. The last amendment of the act was in the year 2006.
 According to the original act the function of the council is to provide uniformity in nursing education.
PURPOSE:
 The purpose of professional conduct is to inform both the nurse and the society of the minimum
standard for professional conduct.
 It provides regulatory bodies a basis for decisions regarding standards of professional conduct.
 The code of ethics helps to protect the rights of individuals, families and community and also the rights
of nurse.

USES OF THE CODE:

 Acknowledges the rightful place of individual in health care delivery system.
 Contributes towards empowerment of individuals to become responsible for their health and well being.
 Contributes to quality care.
 Identifies obligations in practice and relationships.
 Informs the individual, families, community and other professionals about expectations.

CODES OF ETHICS FOR NURSES IN INDIA:

 The nurse respects the uniqueness of individual in provision of care

 Provides care for individuals without consideration of caste, creed, religion, culture, ethnicity,
gender, socio-economic and political status, personal attributes, or any other grounds.
 Individualizes the care considering the beliefs, values and cultural sensitivities.
 Appreciates the place of the individual in family and community and facilitates participation of
significant others in the care.
  Develops and promotes trustful relationship with individual.
 Recognizes uniqueness of response of individuals to interventions and adapts accordingly.
  The nurse respects the rights of individuals as partner in care and helps in making informed
choices
 Appreciates individual’s right to make decisions about their care and therefore gives adequate
and accurate information for enabling them to make informed choices.
 Respects the decisions made by individual (s) regarding their care.
 Protects public from misinformation and misinterpretations.
 Advocates special provisions to protect vulnerable individuals/groups.
 The nurse respects individual’s right to privacy, maintains confidentiality, and shares information
judiciously.
 Respects the individual’s right to privacy of their personal information.
 Maintains confidentiality of privileged information except in life threatening situations and uses
discretion in sharing information.
 Nurse maintains competence in order to render Quality Nursing Care.
 Nursing care must be provided only by registered nurse.
 Nurse strives to maintain quality nursing care and upholds the standards of care.
 Nurse values continuing education, initiates and utilizes all opportunities for self development.
 Nurse values research as a means of development of nursing profession and participates in
nursing research adhering to ethical principles.
 The nurse is obliged to practice within the framework of ethical, professional and legal
boundaries
 Adheres to code of ethics and code of professional conduct for nurses in India developed by
Indian Nursing council
 Familiarizes with relevant laws and practices in accordance with the law of the state.
 Nurse is obliged to work harmoniously with the members of the health team.
 Appreciates the team efforts in rendering care.
 Cooperates, coordinates and collaborates with the members of the health team to meet the needs
of the people.
  Nurse commits to reciprocate the trust invested in nursing profession by society .
 Demonstrates personal etiquettes in all dealings.
 Demonstrates professional attributes in all dealings.

SUMMARIZATION:

Code of ethics is like a boundary that protects the health care team members from the outside issues and to
act under that for the betterment of the patient and for yourself also.there are some principles like autonomy,
fidelity, justice, veracity, beneficence etc. The code has served as the standard for the nurses worldwide
since 1953. the nurse is obliged to provide services even if it is in conflict with his or her personal beliefs
and values.

CONCLUSION:

The ethics of professional nursing center on the care of the patient. The nurse, in ethical practice, develops a
relationship with the patient. This practice complements the ethics and subsequent actions of the physicians,
whose ethics focus on the treatment of the illness or condition of the patient.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1. Masih shabnam, textbook of essentials of nursing management, 2nd edition, lotus publication, 2017,
page no334-339.
2. Vati jogindra , principle and practice of nursing managemant and administration,jaypee publication
page no 134-138.
3. K deepak, C sarath chandran, P.B. Mithun kumar, a comprehensive textbook on nursing management,
emmess publication, page no492-494.
4. www.google.com
5. www.wikipedia.com