The American Nurses Association (ANA) has developed the Nursing Code of Ethics, which serves as a paramount moral compass for nurses in caring for patients. This code stipulates the ethical principles that must be observed to ensure the security and welfare of patients while also promoting professional integrity within diverse modern healthcare environments. As an imperative directive, this code of ethics provides nurses with a template for upholding the highest standards of their profession and ensuring the highest quality of care (American Nurses Association, 2015). In 2015, the ANA created the Nursing Code of Ethics, which nursing practitioners have widely accepted as a valuable resource for making prudent ethical decisions in patient care. This code is subject to a four-yearly review.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Nursing Code of Ethics provides a significant framework for nurses to adhere to, some aspects of the code could be enhanced to provide greater clarity and guidance for nurses in their ethical decision-making. One aspect of the Nursing Code of Ethics that could be improved is the lack of specificity in some of its language. Whilst the code provides a general framework for ethical decision-making, it offers no definite guidance for nurses on how to respond to specific circumstances. Also, the code is very comprehensive but does not provide specific illustrations of how nurses should apply it in practice. This lack of specificity could lead to misunderstandings and, in some cases, to improper use of the code by nurses.
The lack of enforcement of the code could be improved. Even though the code provides direction for nurses, there is no explicit system in place to ensure they are following it. Therefore, it is up to each nurse to ensure they conform to the code in their practice. It could result in immoral conduct if nurses are not held responsible for their actions.
Reference
American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. Nursesbooks.org.