Ana Ethics Code
Running Head: ANA CODE AND VALUES 1.
ANA Code and Values Project
Kelly E. Eckstein
Marquette University
ANA CODE AND VALUES 2. The nursing code of ethics is a guide that nurses follow when making decisions regarding ethical issues. “It provides a social contract with the society served, as well as ethical and legal guidance to all members of the profession” (Lachman, 2009). The Code of Ethics for Nursing, as written by the American Nurses Association, contains nine provisions. “The first three describe the most fundamental values and commitments of the nurse: the next three address boundaries of duty and loyalty, and the last three address aspects of duties beyond individual patient encounters” (American Nurses Association, 2001). As a labor and delivery nurse, the most relevant provision in my practice is provision 4. Provision 4 of the Code of Ethics for Nurses states that “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” (American Nurses Association, 2001).
The first half of this provision is the most relevant provision for me because not only am I responsible for the laboring mother, but I am also responsible for her unborn child. The decisions and actions that I choose to do or don’t do greatly affect the health and well being of both patients.
As a labor and delivery nurse, I work very closely with the obstetricians and certified nurse midwives who practice at the hospital where I work. The close bonds that we have developed give strength to the provision of responsibility and accountability. The doctors and
ANA CODE AND VALUES 3. midwives expect me to take responsibility of caring for their patients and they expect me to be accountable for all of my actions. There are many times on my unit when a patient comes to the hospital for a
ANA Code and Values Project
Kelly E. Eckstein
Marquette University
ANA CODE AND VALUES 2. The nursing code of ethics is a guide that nurses follow when making decisions regarding ethical issues. “It provides a social contract with the society served, as well as ethical and legal guidance to all members of the profession” (Lachman, 2009). The Code of Ethics for Nursing, as written by the American Nurses Association, contains nine provisions. “The first three describe the most fundamental values and commitments of the nurse: the next three address boundaries of duty and loyalty, and the last three address aspects of duties beyond individual patient encounters” (American Nurses Association, 2001). As a labor and delivery nurse, the most relevant provision in my practice is provision 4. Provision 4 of the Code of Ethics for Nurses states that “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” (American Nurses Association, 2001).
The first half of this provision is the most relevant provision for me because not only am I responsible for the laboring mother, but I am also responsible for her unborn child. The decisions and actions that I choose to do or don’t do greatly affect the health and well being of both patients.
As a labor and delivery nurse, I work very closely with the obstetricians and certified nurse midwives who practice at the hospital where I work. The close bonds that we have developed give strength to the provision of responsibility and accountability. The doctors and
ANA CODE AND VALUES 3. midwives expect me to take responsibility of caring for their patients and they expect me to be accountable for all of my actions. There are many times on my unit when a patient comes to the hospital for a
References: American Nurses Association (ANA). (2001). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. Retrieved July 6, 2010, from http://nursingworld.org/ethics/code/protected_nwcoe629.htm Lachman, V. D. (2009). Practical Use of the Nursing Code of Ethics: Part 1. Retrieved July 6, 2010, from http://nursingworld.org/DocumentVault/Ethics/Practical-Use-of-the-Nursing-Code-of-Ethics-Part-I.aspx