Question

Provision 6: “The nurse participates in establishing, maintaining, and improving health care environments and conditions of employment conducive to the provision of quality health care and consistent with the values of the profession through individual and collective action.”

3. How would a nurse contribute to the values of the nursing profession on an individual basis and through collective action?

Provision 7: “The nurse participates in the advancement of the profession through contributions to practice, education, administration, and knowledge development.”

4. Why would the advancement of the profession of nursing be included in a code of ethics? How do ethics and advancing professional practice relate to one another?

Answer 1

Nurse's contribution towards values of the Nursing profession:

According to American Nurse's Association's Code of ethics for Nurses and its  Interpretation , " The nurse participate in establishing, improving and maintaining health care environments and condition of employment conducive to the provision of quality health care and consistent with the values of profession through individual and collective action ".

Nurses can contribute to the values of nursing profession by invloving in three main areas, such as keeping moral virtues and values, by keeping ethical obligations in the working environment and through the contribution of a moral environment by treating patients, groups and families in fairness . Accept co -workers without discrimination. The nurse has to do what is right and she has to show the excellence in her skils and work and also in qualities such as patience and compassion .

All nurses have a responsibility to create and maintain a conducive working environment and they have to maintain the standards of care. Nurses should come out from the healthcare settings, where the violations of patient's rights are happening. Professional association are existing to help the Nurses to get their rights and to improve the working environment and for the fair salaries . Collective bargaining can help the nurse's general wellbeing and economic conditions.

Organizational structure, ethics comitee, disciplinary procedures all helps in protecting the values of profession.

Advancement of Profession and Code of ethics

Ethics are the standards that govern the conduct of a person, especially a member of a profession. Provision 7 of Code of ethics for Nurses by ANA states that " The nurses should participate in the advancement of profession through contributions to practice , education, administration, and knowledge development ". Code of ethics states the importance of Advancement of Profession as without advancement a profession will not exist or will not be able keep it's standards. Every nurses have to contribute to the Education, practice, administration and knowledge and research development in the profession. Nurses, who engage in clinical practice should be up to date with the technological advancement related to patient care.

Nurse administrators should act as the change agents and should demonstrate good leadership abilities. Nurse educators should mould and motivate the nursing students to be passionate with the profession and to contribute to the standards and advancement of nursing profession. They also should ensure that only the students who are competent, and possessing necessary skill and knowledge are graduating from the course.

Nurse researchers should participate in new researches, development of body of knowledge of the profession and dissemination of research reports and results, that might be useful for patient care, families and communities.