NUR 212 code of ethics

Provision 1 

1. Respect for Human Dignity

Nurses practice with compassion and respect for every person’s inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness, regardless of background, beliefs, or health status.

Provision 2

2. Primary Commitment to the Patient

The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient — whether an individual, family, group, or community — ensuring care decisions reflect the patient’s needs, values, and rights.

Provision 3

3. Protection of Rights, Privacy, and Safety

Nurses advocate for patients’ rights, protect privacy and confidentiality, and take action to ensure safety and uphold ethical and legal standards in care.

Provision 4 

4. Accountability and Responsibility for Practice

Nurses are accountable for their own practice and decisions. They must maintain competence, act with integrity, and use sound clinical judgment to deliver safe, ethical care.

Provision 5 

5. Duty to Self and Personal Integrity

Nurses have a duty to care for themselves, maintain personal integrity, and continue professional growth. Ethical practice includes promoting health, balance, and resilience in oneself.

Provision 6

6. Ethical Work Environment

Nurses share responsibility for creating ethical, safe, and respectful workplaces. This includes addressing barriers to ethical practice, promoting teamwork, and modeling moral virtues.

Provision 7 

7. Advancement of the Profession

Nurses must advance the profession through research, education, and policy involvement, fostering evidence-based practice and improving patient and system outcomes.

Provision 8

8. Collaboration for Human Rights and Health Equity Nurses work to reduce health disparities, promote human rights, and advocate for equity at local, national, and global levels through collaboration and community engagement.

Provision 9

9. Collective Responsibility and Social Justice As a collective profession, nursing must promote social justice, combat systemic oppression, and influence policy to create a fair and equitable healthcare system.

Provision 10 

10. Global Health and Environmental Responsibility

Nurses have a global ethical responsibility to promote worldwide health, environmental sustainability, and social justice, collaborating with international partners to protect human dignity globally.