nursing ethics
nursing ethics
The Code of Ethics for Nursing in South Africa has been published by the South African Nursing Council (SANC). It is a legally binding document that all nurses must follow because it helps nurses make ethical decisions.
In South Africa, a regulatory body for nurses is SANC. The Council oversees the nursing profession as a whole, from education through practice.
- The application of ethical values and principles in difficult and conflicting situations that nurses may encounter in particular circumstances while practicing their profession is ingrained in ethical decision-making. In their interactions with patients receiving medical care, nurses are always expected to adhere to and practice fundamental ethical principles. These ethical guidelines include, but are not limited to:
(Social) Justice: When there is a conflict of interest between parties, groups, or individuals, nurses are always expected to act fairly and equitably. These interests may involve, among other things, issues related to prioritizing care, access to healthcare resources, or any situation that is perceived or experienced as unequal. As a result, nurses should be able to defend their actions and decisions and pursue justice on behalf of vulnerable and disadvantaged patients in healthcare settings.
Non-maleficence – To fulfill this requirement, a nurse must consciously refrain from causing any kind of harm to patients, groups, or communities receiving healthcare.
Beneficence: Under any given circumstance, nurses are expected to choose the “best option” of care and act with kindness at all times. It makes compliance with the “duty to care” a requirement for professional practice. - Veracity: This principle requires the nurse to act honestly and truthfully and to guarantee that the information provided to and on behalf of the patient is always in the patient’s best interest.
Fidelity entails respecting, protecting, and maintaining confidential information pertaining to the delivery of healthcare, including the health records of healthcare users, while also adhering to factual and truthful accounting.
Altruism: It is always expected of nurses to care about the health and well-being of patients receiving medical care. When patients refuse treatment to the detriment of their own health or the health of others, for example, the nurses must be aware that their wishes and actions may conflict with the code’s values and principles.
Autonomy – Respect for the right of eligible individuals (patients receiving medical care) to make their own choices and decisions regarding their health.
Caring: Nurses must demonstrate the art of nurturing by utilizing professional skills and positive emotions that will bring inner harmony to the nurse and the patient receiving care.
All Nursing Practitioners, including educators, administrators, researchers, policymakers, and others in any setting, must adhere to these ethical principles at all times in their roles as direct or indirect patient care providers.
VALUE STATEMENT
- The idea that nurses place a high value on:
people’s lives;
kindness, respect, and dignity toward oneself and others;
the individuality of each healthcare user, as well as the diversity of those under their care;
the right of everyone to have access to high-quality nursing and medical care;
the provision of truthful and accurate information to individuals in accordance with informed consent or refusal of treatment to enable them to make well-informed decisions regarding their health;
the integrity of the people in their care as well as the profession’s image;
preserving the privacy and confidentiality of patients’ personal information and possessions; and - Click here for nursing ethics
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RELATED LINKS
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