The document outlines the Nurses Pledge of Service, highlighting the commitments made by nurses to uphold ethical and legal standards while prioritizing patient care. It explains the symbolism of the lamp held during the pledge, representing vigilance, compassion, and preparedness to serve those in need. Additionally, it emphasizes the roles nurses undertake, including advocacy and care across various aspects of health and well-being.

1. NURSES PLEDGE OF SERVICE
AUGUST, 2012

2. Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the learner should
be able to:
• Describe the nurses pledge of service
• Explain the meaning of lamp in the nurses
pledge

3. Introduction
• A pledge simply means a promise
• Therefore, in nurses pledge, nurses promise
that they will perform their duties according
to legal and ethical codes
• This pledge is made while holding a lamp in a
hand

4. The nurses pledge
• I solemnly pledge myself to the service of
humanity and will endeavour to practice my
profession with conscience and with dignity.
• I will maintain by all the means in my power
the honour and the noble traditions of my
profession.

5. Cont..
• The total health of my patients will be my first
consideration.
• I will hold in confidence all personal matters
coming to my knowledge.
• I will not permit considerations of religion,
nationality, race or social standing to
intervene between my duty and my patient.

6. Cont..
• I will maintain the utmost respect for human
life
• I make this promise solemnly, freely and upon
my honor. So help me God.

7. The meaning of the lamp in the pledge of
service
• The lamp in the hand is a symbol of those who
keep vigil over the sick
• It is the symbol of the philosophy of the nursing
profession that those who nurse should be light
into others
• It indicates preparedness to develop the
profession and to practice it in the light of
sciences which are the building blocks of
medical and nursing science

8. Cont..
• Confirms that you are prepared to carry out
your professional acts in accordance with the
legal and ethical codes of the profession and
that you are prepared to care for man in his
uniqueness with knowledge and compassion

9. Cont…
• It is the symbol that indicates that you are
prepared to be the following for those who
need your help:
– The eyes of the blind who are sick
– The power of movement for those cannot move
– The hands of those who do not have the strength
to care for themselves
– The comforter of those who are alone or grieved

10. Cont..
• The nourisher of those who cannot eat
• The protector of those who are helpless and
those who are vulnerable
• The mind of those who are unconscious
• The one who has to remove the hazards
threatening the sick
• The intermediary between the doctor, other
members of the health team and the patient

11. Cont..
• The advocate of those who have health
problems
• It confirms that you as a professional nurse are
prepared to submit to the discipline of your
profession
• It serves as proof that you are prepared to
serve as a role model of your profession