Comparing the NMH and Nursing Code of Ethics
Background
Codes of Ethics are standard for professions whose members view themselves as having responsibilities
and obligations to the people they serve. Codes of ethics for professionals typically include broad ethical
principles such as doing no harm, benefiting others, loyalty, and truthfulness.
Professional codes of ethics are not intended to serve as a substitute for organizational codes of ethics.
Professionals, such as RNs, Physicians, Pharmacists, and Physical Therapists would be obligated to both
professional and organizational ethical standards.
The first nursing code of ethics originated in 1893 with the Nightingale Pledge, which was patterned after
medicine’s Hippocratic Oath. The first formal code of ethics was adopted by the ANA House of
Delegates in 1950. It has been revised a number of times since its original adoption with the most recent
revision in 2001.
Code of Ethics and Magnet Re-Designation
The Magnet Recognition Program standards require that nurses use resources such as the ANA Code of
Ethics as a guide for addressing ethical issues. The specific standard is as follows:
EP23
Describe and demonstrate how nurses use available resources, such as the ANA Code of Ethics
for Nurses (ANA, 2001b), to address complex ethical issues. Provide examples from different
practice settings.
Summary
1. NMH’s Code is designed to address the work of all employees. Its focus is the relationship of the
employee to the organization.
2. The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses focuses on the nurse’s responsibilities to the patient and the
profession. Thus it is broader and more far reaching than the NMH Code of Ethics.
3. The two codes are compatible with many of the statements in the ANA Code mapping easily to the
NMH Code.
4. The statements from the ANA Codes that do not map to the NMH Codes are those that address the
nurses’ responsibilities to advance the profession and shape social policy.
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NMH Code of Ethics
Respect for patients, their families
and significant others, and for
patients’ rights to make informed
decisions about their care.
Respect for privacy and
confidentiality of information about
patients, colleagues and visitors.
Core values of Patients First and Best
Patient Experience, Integrity,
Excellence and Teamwork.
Respect for colleagues and other
members of the patient care team,
whether directly involved in patient
care or in administrative, support,
educational or research functions.
Respect for the need to protect the
NM organizations, including
compliance with all relevant
authorities and standards, avoidance
of conflict of interest and
management of risk in order to
support an ethical workplace.
Honesty in dealing with patients, the
public and the government, including
honesty in marketing and public
relations materials, accurate billing,
admissions procedures, etc.
Code of Ethics for Nurses
1. The nurse, in all professional relationships, practices with
compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth and
uniqueness of every individual, unrestricted by
considerations of social or economic status, personal
attributes, or the nature of health problems.
2. The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether
an individual, family, group, or community.
3. The nurse promotes, advocates for and strives to protect
the health, safety and rights of the patient.
3. The nurse promotes, advocates for and strives to protect
the health, safety and rights of the patient.
8. The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and
the public in promoting community, national, and
international efforts to meet health needs.
4. The nurse is responsible and accountable for individual
nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation
of tasks consistent with the nurse's obligation to provide
optimum patient care. (Note: Part of accountability for
nursing practice is compliance with relevant standards
both organizational and professional.)
5. The nurse owes the same duties to self as others, including
the responsibility to preserve integrity and safety, to
maintain competence and to continue personal and
professional growth.
6. The nurse participates in establishing, maintaining and
improving healthcare environments and conditions of
employment conducive to the provision of quality
healthcare and consistent with the values of the profession
through individual and collective action.
3. The nurse promotes, advocates for and strives to protect
the health, safety and rights of the patient.
5. The nurse owes the same duties to self as others, including
the responsibility to preserve integrity and safety, to
maintain competence and to continue personal and
professional growth.
Other Items from the Code of Ethics for Nurses
1. The nurse participates in the advancement of the profession through contributions to practice,
education, administration and knowledge development.
2. The profession of nursing, as represented by associations and their members, is responsible for
articulating nursing values, for maintaining the integrity of the profession and its practice and for
shaping social policy.