These notes are being provided for BS Nursing students , The notes are prepared as per their curriculum.

1. Unit 06
CODE OF ETHICS
Sadiq Ali Chandio
Nursing Instructor
College of nursing Male Larkana

2. Objectives
 Define code and code of ethics
 List the functions and elements of ethical code
 Explain code of ethics by ICN & PNC
 Compare code of ethics by ICN & PNC
 Discuss application of code of ethics in clinical
settings
 Define nursing pledge in relation to code of
ethics

3. Code of ethics
 A code of ethics is a set of ethical principles
that are accepted by all members of profession.
 A profession's ethical code is collective
statement about the group's expectations and
standards of behavior.
 A Written set of guidelines issued by an
organization to its workers and management to
help them conduct their actions .

4.  According to the American Nurses Association
(ANA), the nursing code of ethics is a guide for
“carrying out nursing responsibilities in a manner
consistent with quality in nursing care and the
ethical obligations of the profession.”
4 main principles part of the nursing code of ethics.
 Autonomy
 Beneficence
 Justice
 Non-maleficence

5. CODEOF ETHICS VS CODE OF CONDUCT
CODE OF ETHICS CODE OF CONDUCT
 It is set of principles
based on values and
morals which tells us
what is right /wrong.
 It explains how decisions
are made.
 It focuses on values
 It has a narrower scope
 It is set of rules and
regulations that explains
appropriate behavior in
specific situations .
 Dictates how employees
must act.
 It focus on rules and
compliance
 Has a broader scope

6. List the functions of ethical code
 It provides a common set of rules or standards
for all in the profession to adhere to.
 It defines best practices for the profession.
 It provides a basis to meet compliance
requirements for the profession.
 It provides a legal standard for the profession.

7. Elements of ethical code
six universal moral values, where you state that
you expect an employee to be:
 Trustworthy
 Respectful
 Responsible
 Fair
 kind
 Good citizens.

8. Explain code of ethics by ICN & PNC
The four elements of the ICN Code of Ethics for
Nurses, gives a framework for the standards of
conduct.
 Nurses and people
 Nurses and practice
 Nurses and the profession
 Nurses and co-workers

9. Code of ethics by PNC
 Nurses demonstrate professional values such as
 Respect
 Justice
 Responsiveness
 Caring and Compassion
 Empathy
 trustworthiness and integrity.
 They support and respect the dignity and
universal rights of all people, including patients,
colleagues and families.

10. Discuss application of code of ethics in clinical
settings
 Adhering to ethics in health care supports improved
patient outcomes, increased trust and confidence in
the healthcare system, and better overall health and
well-being for individuals and communities.
 There are several principles of ethics currently
embraced by the medical profession. These include
autonomy, beneficence, fidelity, justice, and utility.
Autonomy refers to respect for a person's self-
determination, alluding to a patient's wishes
regarding treatment choice. Beneficence means
doing good to patients.

11.  Fidelity emphasizes faithfulness to a
physician's duties and obligations.
 Justice dictates that a physician's decision on
patient treatment is made fairly and impartially.
 Utility implies that physician's actions should
yield good results, achieving maximum benefits
for the patients without wasting resources.

12. Define nursing pledge in relation to code of ethics
 According to the American Nurses Association,
the pledge was named after Florence
Nightingale, who is considered the founder of
modern nursing. In the pledge, nurses promise
to uphold the Hippocratic oath, do no harm,
practice discretion (careful) and be dedicated to
their work as a nurse.

13. Nursing pledge
 "Florence Nightingale Pledge": I solemnly
pledge myself before God and in the presence of
this assembly to pass my life in purity and to
practice my profession faithfully. I shall abstain
from whatever is deleterious and mischievous,
and shall not take or knowingly administer any
harmful drug.

14. The Original 1893 Pledge:
 I solemnly pledge myself before God and in
the presence of this assembly to pass my life
in purity and to practice my profession
faithfully. I shall abstain from whatever is
deleterious and mischievous and shall not
take or knowingly administer any harmful
drug. I shall do all in my power to maintain
and elevate the standard of my profession
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. I shall be loyal to my
work and devoted towards the welfare of
those committed to my care.

15. The Updated 1935 Pledge:
 solemnly pledge myself before God and in the
presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity
and to practice my profession faithfully. I will
abstain from whatever is deleterious and
mischievous and will not take or knowingly
administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my
power to maintain and elevate the standard of my
profession 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. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the
physician in his work, and as a 'missioner of
health' I will dedicate myself to devoted service to
human welfare.

16. Modern Practical Nurse Pledge:
 Before God and those assembled here, I solemnly
pledge; To adhere to the code of ethics of the nursing
profession; To co-operate faithfully with the other
members of the nursing team and to carry out
faithfully and to the best of my ability the instructions
of the physician or the nurse who may be assigned to
supervise my work; I will not do anything evil or
malicious, and I will not knowingly give any harmful
drug or assist in malpractice. I will not reveal any
confidential information that may come to my
knowledge in the course of my work. And I pledge
myself to do all in my power to raise the standards
and prestige of practical nursing; May my life be
devoted to service and to the high ideals of the
nursing profession.