The international council of nurses has developed code of ethics for nurses as a guide for action based on social values and needs.

Ethical Concepts applied to Nursing:

The fundamental responsibility of the Nurse is fourfold: to promote health, to prevent illness, to restore health and to alleviate sufferings

The need for Nursing is universal. Inherent in Nursing is respect for life, dignity and rights of man. It is unrestricted by considerations of nationality, race, creed, color, age, sex, politics or social status.

Nurse render health services to the individual, the family and the community and co-ordinate their service with those of related groups.

Nurses and People:

  • The Nurse’s primary responsibility is to those people whore-quire nursing care.
  • The Nurse, in providing care, promotes an environment in  which the values, customs and spiritual beliefs of the individual are respected.
  • The Nurse holds in confidence personal information and uses judgement in sharing this information.

Nurses and Practice:

  • The Nurse carries personal responsibility for Nursing practice and for maintaining competence by continual learning.
  • The Nurse Maintains the highest standards of Nursing care possible within the reality of a specific situation.
  • The Nurse use judgement in relation to individual competence when accepting and delegating responsibilities.
  • The Nurse when acting in a professional capacity should at all times maintains standards of personal conduct which reflect credit upon the profession.

Nurses  and Society:

The Nurse shares with other citizens the responsibility for initiating and supporting action to meet the health and social needs of the public.

Nurses and the Co-workers:

  • The Nurse sustains a co-operative relationship with coworkers in nursing and other fields.
  • The Nurse takes appropriate action to safeguard the individual when his care is endangered by co-worker or any other person.

Nurses and Profession:

  • The Nurse plays the major role in determining and implementing desirable standards of Nursing practice and Nursing education.
  • The Nurse is active in developing a core of professional knowledge.
  • The Nurse, acting through the professional organisation, participates in establishing and maintaining equitable social and economic working conditions in Nursing.