Sunday, 14 June 2015

The Essence Of The Refreshed Legal Advice For Nurses Code Of Ethics

By April Briggs


On a regular basis, an average nurse uses their training, knowledge and ethical standards while making vital decisions regarding their patients health. Nurses are required to process fast simple or complex emergencies. This leaves them with little room for second-guessing. To help guide these professionals, the American Nurses Association came up with a Code of Ethics to constitute legal advice for nurses.

The code formed became part of the essential legal basis on which the entire spectrum of nurse professionals operate. This covers midwives; anaesthetist certified registered nurses, registered practicing nurses, advanced practicing registered nurses and nurse practitioners. The Department of Health supervises your activities under this code. You face investigation for malpractice depending on your adherence to this code.

Various categories of nursing professionals often appear before the Board of Nursing. This is where licensing into the profession and its various levels feature. As they appear before this Board, their performance under the code is part of the process. This means that health law firms need to be very familiar with this code because they may have to represent nursing professionals in such hearings and investigations.

The Code of Ethics constitutes part of the structure forming the foundation of guidance points and standards. This is for nursing professionals for a variety of situations in their respective practice stations. The code sets those standards through which judgement on performance is determined. This Code of Ethics last had changes incorporated by American Nurses Association in 2001. The latest and revised Ethics Code version saw release publicly on 1st January 2015.

This revised and new Ethical Code Version for your profession intends to assist you through the modern nursing practice environment. It addresses the current matters arising legally within the nursing profession. Some of these matters are infringement of patient confidentiality the social media continues to highlight. Treatment of end of life is covered too. Social justice and its integration in the health care policy is another. Another is incorporation of a number of critical issues that must be updated because health conditions and the society are rapidly changing. Advancement in health care plus the host of new health problems cropping up features too.

Three major areas of the original version saw changes made. They include Provisions One to Three. These cover newly established guidelines for advocacy for the patient, family and community. It emphasises on the need for the exercising of respect and kindness within any professional relationship.

Provision Four to Six covers the latest guidelines that cover maintaining and delivering competent care. This includes self-care and self-respect. It covers accountability and the responsibility by nurse professionals in continuous learning, personal and professional growth.

Number three involves Provision Seven through Nine. Set forth here are the broader issues regarding a certain communitys health. It covers state, international, county and national arenas. Covered are advancement of social policy, values and professional education.

This Code on Ethics for nurses reflects on the heritage of ethical pride that the nursing profession holds. It serves as a promise and guide to the society from every nurse today and into the future. It also forms the basis upon which judgement rests in nursing misconduct and unprofessionalism. It forms part of the law under which nurse operate.




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