ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

• Respect for individuals Respect for persons is an overarching maxim of morality

that influences all other ethical principles (Fowler and Fry, 1988). Respect for individuals

is fundamental to recognition of the autonomy of individuals as it incorporates ethical

convictions that individuals should be treated as autonomous agents, and that persons

with diminished autonomy (such as children and mentally insane) are entitled to

protection. (Belmont Report, 1979). • Autonomy The concept of autonomy means that

“…individuals are to be permitted personal liberty to determine their own actions”

(Fowler and Fry, 1988).

• Nonmaleficence The principle of nonmaleficence is based on a person’s

rigorous obligation to avoid injuring another individual (Johnstone, 1989).

• Beneficence The principle of beneficence demands that above all, an individual

should do only (Polit and Hungler, 1991), and contribute to the welfare of others

(Beauchamp and Childress, 1994).

• Justice The principle of justice provides the obligation to be fair to all. This

principle requires that social benefits (e.g. health-care services) and social burdens (e.g.

taxes) be distributed in accordance with the demands of justice.

• Fidelity Fidelity refers to the obligation of a person to be faithful to agreements,

responsibilities and commitments that he has made to himself and to others.

• Veracity Veracity refers to the principles of truthfulness.

MORAL PRINCIPLES

1.Golden Rule

2.The principle of Totality – The whole is greater than its parts

3.Epikia – There is always an exemption to the rule

4.One who acts through as agent is herself responsible – (instrument to the

crime)

5.No one is obliged to betray herself – You cannot betray yourself

6.The end does not justify the means

7.Defects of nature maybe corrected

8.If one is willing to cooperate in the act, no justice is done to him

9.A little more or a little less does not change the substance of an act. 10.No one

is held to impossible. GUIDE TO

ETHICAL DECISION MAKING

Nurses must realize that nursing practice does not only involve performing

nursing skills and procedures perfectly well. They must also observe ethical practice in

the performance of their performance of their duties and must be constantly aware of

their ethical obligations. The requirement of ethical practice are both moral sensitivity

and moral action. Moral sensitivity refers to the ability of a person to recognize moral

problems as actual or potential conflicts in rights, duties, or principles. A nurse who has

no knowledge of ethical principle will not be able to see moral conflicts that may

confront her in her professional practice and therefore, will be unable to make ethical

judgment and decision making (Oddi, L.F., Cassidy, V.R., and Fisher, C., 1995).

INTERNATIONAL CODE OF NURSING

Preamble

Nurses have four fundamental responsibilities: to promote health, to prevent

illness, to restore health and to alleviate suffering. The need for nursing is universal.

Inherent in nursing is respect for human rights, including the right to life, to dignity and

to be treated with respect. Nursing care is unrestricted by considerations of age, colour,

creed, culture, disability or illness, gender, nationality, politics, race or social status.

Nurses render health services to the individual, the family and the community and co-

ordinate their services with those of related groups.

1. Nurses and people

The nurse’s primary professional responsibility is to people requiring nursing

care.

In providing care, the nurse promotes an environment in which the human rights,

values, customs and spiritual beliefs of the individual, family and community are

respected. The nurse ensures that the individual receives sufficient information on

which to base consent for care and related treatment. The nurse holds in confidence

personal information and uses judgement in sharing this information. The nurse shares

with society the responsibility for initiating and supporting action to meet the health and

social needs of the public, in particular those of vulnerable populations. The nurse also

shares responsibility to sustain and protect the natural environment from depletion,

pollution, degradation and destruction.

2. Nurses and practice

The nurse carries personal responsibility and accountability for nursing practice,

and for maintaining competence by continual learning. The nurse maintains a standard

of personal health such that the ability to provide care is not compromised. The nurse

uses judgement regarding individual competence when accepting and delegating

responsibility. The nurse at all times maintains standards of personal conduct which

reflect well on the profession and enhance public confidence.The nurse, in providing

care, ensures that use of technology and scientific advances are compatible with the

safety, dignity and rights of people.

3. Nurses and the profession

The nurse assumes the major role in determining and implementing acceptable

standards of clinical nursing practice, management, research and education. The nurse

is active in developing a core of research based professional knowledge. The nurse,

acting through the professional organisation, participates in creating and maintaining

equitable social and economic working conditions in nursing.

4. Nurses and co-workers

The nurse sustains a co-operative relationship with co-workers in nursing and

other fields. The nurse takes appropriate action to safeguard individuals when their care

is endangered by a coworkeror any other person.

CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES IN THE PHILIPPINES

What are CODES OF ETHICS?

• These are systematic guides for developing ethical behavior

• They answer normative questions of what beliefs and values should be normally

accepted

Code of Good Governance Promulgated by the Professional Regulation Commission,

July 23, 2003 States that : The hallmark of all professionals is their willingness to accept

a set of professional and ethical principles which they follow in the conduct of their daily

lives.The acceptance of these principles requires the maintenance of a standard of

conduct higher than what is required by law. This code is adopted by the Professional

Regulation Commission and the 42 Professional Regulatory Boards to cover an

environment of good governance in which all Filipino professionals shall perform their

duties.

General Principles:

-Service to Others

-Integrity and Objectivity

-Professional Competence

-Solidarity and Teamwork

-Social and Civic Responsibility

-Global Competitiveness

-Equality of All Professions

After consultation on October 23, 2003 at Iloilo City with the accredited professional

organization of registered nurses, the code was adopted under the Republic Act 9173

and promulgated by the Board of Nursing under Resolution No. 220 Series of 2004 last

July 14, 2004.

Preamble:

Sec. 1 – Health is a fundamental right of the individual (4-fold responsibilities & if not

possible assistance towards a peaceful death

Sec 2 – Nurses have to gain knowledge & understanding of man’s cultural, social,

spiritual, psychological, & ecological aspects of illness utilizing the therapeutic process.

Sec. 3 – The desire for respect & confidence of clientele, colleagues, co-workers, & the

members of the community provide the incentive to attain & maintain the highest

possible degree of ethical conduct.

Article II - Registered Nurses and People (Service to Others) 1. Values, customs &

spiritual beliefs held by the individual shall be represented 2. Individual freedom to make

rational & unconstrained decision shall be respected. 3. Personal information acquired

in the process of giving nursing care shall be in strict confidence.

Article III – Registered Nurse and Practice (Integrity and Objectivity) 1. Human life is

inviolable 2. Quality & excellence in the care of the patients are the goals of nursing

practice 3. Accurate documentation of actions & outcomes of delivered care is the

hallmark of nursing accountability 4. RN’s are the advocate of the patients: they shall

take appropriate steps to safeguard their rights & privileges. 5. RN’s are aware that their

actions have professional, moral & legal dimensions. They strive to perform their work in

the best interest of all concerned.

Article IV – Registered Nurses and Co-Workers (Solidarity and Teamwork) 1. The RN is

in solidarity with other members of the health care team in working for the patient’s best

interest. 2. The RN maintains collegial & collaborative working relationship with

colleagues & other health care providers.

Article V – RN, Society and Environment (Social and Civic Responsibility) 1. The

preservation of life, respect for human rights & promotion of a healthy environment shall

be a commitment of a RN 2. The establishment of linkages w/ the public in promoting

local, national & international efforts to meet health & social needs of the people as a

contributing member of society is a noble concern of a RN

Article VI – RN and the Profession (Professional Competence; Global Competitiveness;

Equality of all Professions) 1. Maintenance of loyalty to the nursing profession &

preservation of its integrity are ideal 2. Compliance w/ the by-laws of the PNA, & other

professional organizations of w/c the RN is a member is a lofty duty 3. Commitment to

continual learning and active participation in the development & growth of the profession

are commendable obligations 4. Contribution to the improvement of the socio-economic

conditions & general welfare of nurses through appropriate legislation is a practice &

visionary mission.

REFERENCES:

• Sia, R.M. et al. (2006). Nursing Law and Ethics. Quezon City. RMSIA Publishing

• Vera, H. (2004). Code of Ethics for Filipino Nurses. Retrieved from www.scribed.com.

Retrieved on June 19, 2014

• Bautista, E. (2003). Ethico-Moral Aspects of Nursing. Retrieved from

www.scribed.com. Retrieved on June 19, 2014