nursing pledge
nursing pledge
The “heartbeat of healthcare” refers to nurses, who are an essential component of the healthcare system. They put all of their efforts into keeping, improving, maintaining, and restoring the individual’s health. In order for nurses to competently, ethically, and legally carry out their duties and provide comprehensive patient care, they need extensive knowledge. The nurse’s role has changed a lot over the past two decades, and it now includes more specialization, more autonomy, and more responsibility. Nurses make a commitment to accept personal accountability for their actions and care. They are expected to act in accordance with the law and the requirements of nursing professional bodies. If nurses were aware of their legal responsibilities, they would undoubtedly be better equipped to care for those in their care, resulting in improved service quality and productivity. This article focuses on determining how well-informed nurses are about the law and their legal responsibilities in the environment in which they operate and provide care to patients. The latter section of the article examines the regulations that are currently in place in South Africa, while the first part of the article aims to determine whether the norms and standards that nurses use to administer health care in other international jurisdictions are comparable to the situation in South Africa. The main point of this discussion is to see if the laws and policies in place are enough to equip nurses with the knowledge they need to fully understand their roles and responsibilities when providing patient care.
Florence Nightingale was born in Florence, Italy, on May 12, 1820. On International Nurses’ Day, which is celebrated annually on May 12 worldwide, she left her mark not only on the science of nursing but also on the art of nursing and the importance of the profession as a distinct and respected one. Lystra Gretta wrote the original Nightingale Pledge in 1893. It is an adaptation of the Hippocratic Oath, which is taken by doctors, and emphasizes the following principles:
- Leading by example
- Faithfulness
- Accountability
- Accuracy
- Responsibility
- Confidentiality
- Devotion
- Quality
The pledge as it is used in South Africa can be found here.
Nurse’s Pledge of Service
- I solemnly pledge myself to the service of humanity and will endeavour to practise my profession with conscience and with dignity.
- I will maintain, by all the means in my power, the honour and noble tradition of my profession.
- The total health of my patients will be my first consideration.
- I will hold in confidence all personal matters coming to my knowledge.
- I will not permit consideration of religion, nationality, race or social standing to intervene between my duty and my patient.
- I will maintain the utmost respect for human life.
- I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honour.
In some ways, this version differs from the original Nightingale Pledge.
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