The first and most important provision of ethics in the field of nursing is to practice with the compassion and understanding that all individuals should be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their health issues, social status, race, religion, disability, financial status, or creed.

The second provision in the code of ethics for nurses is that a nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient. This section discusses how nurses should wade through conflicts where a nurse’s patient and others, typically family members, other loved ones, or employers, have differing opinions on care and treatment needed. In these situations a nurse must maintain the integrity of the nursing profession, by safeguarding the patient’s best interest. This provision also specifies the requirement for collaboration between nurses, other medical professionals, and any other person relevant to a patient’s care. The code of ethics describes the need for nurses to maintain professionalism in relationships with patients and colleagues in order to ensure their patients receive the best care possible.

Next provision discusses the requirement for nurses to take responsibility and to be held accountable for their actions. The actions of a nurse will affect a patient’s standard of care. Hence, nurses must ensure that they show sound judgment in treating patients and delegating tasks to other nurses.

There are also provisions that outline a nurse’s responsibility to the public and the requirement for nurses to positively influence their working environment. Nurses have a responsibility to use their knowledge for the betterment of those around them.

Ethics in the field of nursing is as important as the profession itself. So to ensure uniformity the American Nurses Association created a Nursing Code of Ethics. However, it’s important to note that although this is the most popular code, there are others, specifically for various other countries. Yet, the heart of the ethical code for nurses is and will always be the health and welfare of their patients.