Nursing juris

lesson 1
THE CODE OF ETHICS
FOR FILIPINO NURSES
Codes of Ethics are systematic guides for developing ethical behavior. They answer
normative questions of what beliefs and values should be morally accepted. It should be
noted, however, that no code could possibly provided absolute or complete rules that are free
from conflict and ambiguity.

CODE OF GOOD GOVERNANCE

 
The Code of Good Governance promulgated by the Professional Regulation Commission on
July 23, 2003 states that the hallmark of all professionals is their willingness to accept a set of
professional and ethical principles which they will follow in the conduct of their daily lives.
The acceptance of these principles requires the maintenance of a standard of conduct high
than what is required by law.
 
This code is adopted by the Professional Regulation Commission and the 42 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
 
The general principles of the Code of Good Governance include the following:
1.Service to Others. This implies a commitment to a life of sacrifice and genuine selflessness
in carrying out their professional duties even at the expense of personal gain.
2.Integrity and Objectivity. Professional should perform their responsibilities with the
highest sense of integrity and imbued with nationalism and spiritual values. They should
maintain objectivity, be free from conflicts of interest, refrain from engaging in any activity
that would prejudice their abilities to ethically carry out their duties nor make any
representations that would likely cause a reasonable person to misunderstand and be
deceived.
3.Professional Competence. A certain level of competence is necessary, i.e., knowledge,
technical skills, attitudes and experience, in undertaking only those professional services they
can reasonably deliver. It is their express obligation to keep up with new knowledge and
techniques in their field and upgrade their level of competence, taking part in a lifelong
continuing education program.
4. Solidarity and Teamwork. Each professional shall maintain and support one professional
organization that promotes a deep spirit of solidarity and teamwork among its members.
5. Social and Civic Responsibility. Professionals shall always carry out their professional
duties with their responsibilities to society and as Filipinos, contribute to the attainment
of the country’s national objectives.
6. Global Competitiveness. Professionals shall remain open to the challenges of a more
dynamic and interconnected world, rise up to global standards and maintain levels of
professional practices fully aligned with global best practices.
7. Equality of All Professionals. All professionals shall treat their colleagues with request
and strive to be fair in their dealings with one another. No one group of professionals is
superior to or above others. No one group of professionals is superior to or above others.
All professions perform an equally important, yet distinct, service to society. In the eyes
of the Professional Regulation Commission, all professions are equal and therefore,
everyone shall treat other professionals with respect and fairness.
The professional Code of Ethics for Filipino nurses to act morally. It strongly
emphasizes the four-fold responsibility of nurses i.e., to promote health, prevent illness,
alleviate suffering and restore health; the universality of the nursing practice, the scope
of their responsibilities to the people they serve, to their co-workers, to society and
environment, and to their profession.
 
Prior to 1984, the Code of Ethics used by Filipino nurses was the code promulgated by
the International Council of Nurses. In 1982, the Philippine Nurses Association Special
Committee, under the chairmanship of Dean Emeritus Julita VF. Sotejo, developed a
Code of Ethics for Filipino nurses Association but was not implemented.
 
In 1984, the Board of Nursing, Professional Regulation Commission adopted the Code
of Ethics of the International Council for Nurses through Board Resolution No. 633
adding promotion of spiritual environment as the fifth-fold responsibility of the nurse.
This is also included in The Scope of Nursing Practice Article VI Sec. 28 of the
Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 Ra 9175.
 In 1989, the Code of Ethics promulgated by the Philippine Nurses
Association was approved by the Professional Regulation Commission and
through Board Resolution No. 1955 was recommended for use. This was
approved by the general assembly of the Philippine Nurses Association during the
Nurses Week convention in October 25, 1990.
AMENDED CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES
 
Pursuant to Section 3 OF Republic Act No. 877, known as the Philippine Nursing Law,
and Section 6 of P.D. No. 223, the amended Code of Ethics for Nurses recommended and
endorsed by the Philippine Nurse Association was adopted to govern the practice of
nursing in the Philippines.
 
A new Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses has been promulgated by the Board of
Nursing, in coordination and in consultation with the Accredited Professional
Organization (PNA). In its formulation, the Code of Good Governance for the Professions
was adopted and integrated, as they apply to the nursing profession.
 
After consultation on October 23, 2003 at Iloilo City with the accredited professional
organization of registered nurses, the PNA, and other affiliated organizations of registered
nurses, the Code was adopted under Republic Act 9173 and promulgated by the Board of
Nursing under Resolution No. 220 Series of 2004 last July 14, 2004.
ARTICLE I
PREAMBLE
 
Sec. 1. Health is a fundamental right of every individual. The Filipino registered nurse
believing in the worth and dignity of each human being, recognize the primary responsibility
to preserve health at all cost. This responsibility encompasses promotion of health, prevention
of illness, alleviation of suffering, and restoration of health. However, when the foregoing are
not possible, assistance towards a peaceful death shall be his/her obligation.
 
Sec 2. To assume this responsibility, registered nurses have to gain knowledge and
understanding of man’s cultural, social, spiritual, psychological, and ecological aspects of
illness, utilizing the therapeutic process. Cultural diversity and political and socio-economic
status are inherent factors to affective nursing care.
 
Sec 3. The desire for the respect and confidence of clientele, colleagues, co-workers, and the
members of the community provides the incentive to attain and maintain the highest possible
degree of ethical conduct.
ARTICLE II
REGISTEED NURSES AND PEOPLE
 
Sec. 4. Ethical Principles
1.Values, customs, and spiritual beliefs held by the individual shall be respected.
2.Individual freedom to make rational and unconstrained decisions shall be respected.
3.Personal information acquired in the process of giving nursing care shall be held in strict
confidence.
 
Sec. 4. Guidelines to be observed
Registered Nurses must;
a.Consider the individuality and totality of patients when they administer care;
b.Respect the spiritual beliefs and practices of patient regarding diet and treatment;
c.Uphold the rights of individuals; and
d.Take into consideration the culture and values of patients in providing nursing care.
However, in the event of conflicts, their welfare and safety must take precedence.
ARTICLE III
 
REGISTERED NURSES AND PRACTICE
 
Sec. 6. Ethical Principles

1.Human life is inviolable.

2.Quality and excellence in the care of patients are the goals of nursing practice.
3.Accurate documentation of actions and outcomes of delivered care is the
hallmark of nursing accountability.
Sec. 7. Guidelines to be observed
Registered Nurses must;
a.Know the definition and scope of nursing practice which are in the provisions of R.A. No. 9173, known
as the “Philippine Nursing Act of 2002” and Board Res. No. 425, Series of 2003, the “Rules and
Regulations and Implementing the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002” and the IRR;
b.Be aware of their duties and responsibilities in the practice of their profession as defined in the
“Philippine Nursing Act of 2002” and the IRR;
c.Acquire and develop the necessary competence in knowledge, skills, and attitudes to effectively render
appropriate nursing services through varied learning situations;
d.If they are administrators, be responsible in providing favorable environment for the growth and
development of Registered Nurses in their charge;
e.Be cognizant that professional programs for specialty certification by the BON are accredited through
the Nursing Specialty Certification Council (NSCC);
f.See it that quality nursing care and practice meet the optimum standards of safe nursing practice;
g.Insure that modification of practice shall consider the principles of safe nursing practice;
h.If in position of authority in a work environment, be normally and legally responsible for devising a
system of minimizing occurrences of ineffective and unlawful nursing practice; and
i.Ensure that patient’s records shall be available only if they are to be issued to those who are
professionally and directly involved in their care and when they are required by law.
Sec. 8. Ethical Principle
 
Registered Nurses are the advocates of the patients: they shall take appropriate steps to
safeguard their rights and privileges.
 
Sec. 9. Guidelines to be observed
 
Registered Nurses must
Respect the “Patients’ Bill of Rights” in the delivery of nursing care;
Provide the patients or their families with all pertinent information except those which may
be deemed harmful to their well-being; and
Uphold the patients’ rights when conflict arises regarding management of their care.
 
Sec. 10. Ethical Principle

Registered Nurses are aware that their actions have professional, ethical, moral and legal
dimensions. They strive to perform their work in the best interest of all concerned
Sec. 11. Guidelines to be observed
Registered Nurses must;

a.Perform their professional duties in conformity with existing laws, rules, regulations,
measures, and generally accepted principle of moral conduct and proper decorum;
b.Not allow themselves to be used in advertisement that should demean the image of the
profession (i.e., indecent exposure, violation of dress code, seductive behavior, etc.);
c.Decline any gift, favor or hospitality which might be interpreted as capitalizing on
patients;
d.Not demand and receive any commission, free or emolument for recommending or
referring a patient to a physician, a co-nurse or another healthcare worker; not to pay any
commission, fee or other compensation to the one referring or recommending a patient to
them for nursing care;
e.Avoid any abuse of the privileged relationship which exist with patients and of the
privileged access allowed to their property, residence or workplace.
ARTICLE IV
 
REGISTERED NURSES AND CO-WORKERS
 
Sec. 12. Ethical Principles
 
The Registered Nurse is in solidarity with other members of the healthcare
team in working for the patient’s best interest.
The registered Nurse maintains collegial and collaborative working
relationship with colleagues and other healthcare providers.
Sec. 13. Guidelines to be observed
 
Registered Nurses must;
 
a.Maintain their professional role/identity while working with other members of the
health team;
b.Conform with group activities as those of a health team should be based in acceptable,
ethico-legal standards;
c.Contribute to the professional growth and development of other members of the health
team;
d.Actively participate in professional organizations;
e.Not act in any manner prejudicial to other professions;
f.Honor and safeguard the reputation and dignity of the members of nursing and other
professions; refrain from making unfair and unwarranted comments or criticisms on their
competence, conduct, and procedures; or not do anything that will bring discredit to a
colleague and to any member of other professions; and
g.Respect the rights of their co-workers.
ARTICLE V
 
REGISTERED NURSES, SOCIETY, AND ENVIRONMENT
 
Sec. 14. Ethical Principles

1.The preservation of life, respect for human rights, and promotion

of healthy environment shall be a commitment of a Registered
Nurse.
2.The establishment of linkages with the public in promoting local,
national, and international efforts to meet health and social needs
of the people as a contributing member of society is a noble
concern of a Registered Nurse.
Sec. 15. Guidelines to be observed

Registered Nurses must;

a.Be conscious of their obligations as citizens and, as such, be involved in

community concerns;
b.Be equipped with knowledge of health resources within the community, and
take active roles in primary healthcare;
c.Actively participate in programs, projects and activities that respond to the
problems of society;
d.Lead their lives in conformity with the principles of right conduct and proper
decorum; and
e.Project an image that will uplift the nursing profession at all times.
ARTICLE VI
REGISTERED NURSES AND THE PROFESSION
 
Sec. 16. Ethical Principles

1.Maintenance of loyalty to the nursing profession and preservation of its

integrity are ideal.
2.Compliance with the by-laws of the accredited professional organization
(PNA), and other professional organizations of which the Registered Nurse is a
member is a lofty duty.
3.Commitment to continual learning and active participation in the development
and growth of the profession are commendable obligations.
4.Contribution to the improvement of the socio-economic conditions and general
welfare of nurses through appropriate legislation is a practice and visionary
mission.
Sec. 17. Guidelines to be observed
 
Registered Nurses must

a.Be members of the accredited professional organization which is

the PNA;
b.Strictly adhere to the nursing standards;
c.Participate actively in the growth and development of the nursing
profession;
d.Strive to secure equitable socio-economic and work conditions in
nursing through appropriate legislation and other means; and
e.Assert the implementation of labor and work standards.
ARTICLE VII
 
ADMINSITRATIVE PENALTIES, REPEALIGN CLAUSE AND
EFFECTIVITY
 
Section 18
 
The Certificate of Registration of the Registered Nurse shall either be
revoked or suspended for violation of any provisions of this Code pursuant
to Sec. 23 (f), Art, IV or R.A. No. 9173 and Sec. 23 (f), rule III of Board
Res. No. 425, Series of 2003, the IRR.