Ethical Practice

Ethical principles help you determine whether an action is right or wrong. In addition to understanding basic ethics and morals, you should be familiar with the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses. These guidelines delineate values and standards for professional practice.

Make sure you understand the following ethical principles:

• Autonomy: The right of individuals to make decisions for themselves
• Beneficence: A nurse’s duty to do what is in the best interests of the client
• Justice: A fair, equitable, and appropriate treatment
• Nonmaleficence: A nurse’s duty to do no harm
• Fidelity: Keeping faithful to ethical principles and the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses
• Virtues: Compassion, trustworthiness, integrity, and veracity (truthfulness)
• Confidentiality: Maintaining the client’s privacy by not disclosing personal information about the client
• Accountability: Responsibility for one’s actions

You should be able to identify ethical issues affecting staff or clients, provide information on ethics, and intervene appropriately to promote ethical practice. You’ll also be expected to review outcomes of interventions to promote ethical practice.