Code of Ethics
The
preamble for the Code of Ethics developed by Canadian Nurses Association
(2002) states:
The code of ethics for registered nurses sets out the
ethical behaviour expected of registered nurses in
Canada. It gives guidance for decision making concerning ethical
matters, serves as a means for self-evaluation and self-reflection regarding
ethical nursing practice and provides a basis for feedback and peer review
(p.2).
The Code of Ethics is organized
around values that are an integral part of ethical nursing practice. These
values are:
-
Safe, competent and ethical care
-
Health and well-being
-
Choice
-
Dignity
-
Confidentiality
-
Justice
-
Accountability
-
Quality practice environments
(CNA, Aug. 2002)
CNA's Code
of Ethics is meant to help nurses faced with some of the following ethical
situations:
-
an Ethical violation (neglect of a moral obligation)
-
an Ethical problem or dilemma (reasons for and against
a course of action exist)
-
Ethical distress (nurse is asked to institute care
that provokes feelings of guilt, concern or distaste)
-
Ethical uncertainty (when the nurse is unsure what principle
or value to apply)
In the practice setting, nurses are faced with
a great variety of ethical problems or dilemmas. These may included some
of the following questions :
"Does a parent have a right to refuse treatment
that can save their child's life?"
"Does a pregnant woman with cancer have the right
to postpone life saving treatment until after her baby is born?"
"When does life end?"
When faced with these types of scenarios that nurse
and other members of the health team are faced with making very difficult
decisions. The University of British Columbia's Centre
for Applied Ethics provides a list of Web sites that help in decision
making. A Framework for ethical Decision-Making was developed by Michael
McDonald.
In Canada, a WEB site has been developed pertaining
to Nursing Ethics.
