Code of Conduct (Ontario) - Practice Standards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, definitions, and concepts from the Code of Conduct for nurses in Ontario.

Code of Conduct

A practice standard by the College of Nurses of Ontario describing nurses’ accountabilities to clients, employers, colleagues and the public; promotes safe, professional and ethical care and public trust.

Client

Recipient of nursing care; broadly includes individuals, substitute decision-makers, families, caregivers, groups, communities and populations.

Principle 1: Respect for clients’ dignity

Nurses treat clients with respect, empathy and compassion; prioritize clients’ health and well-being; involve clients in care decisions; protect privacy and maintain dignity.

Principle 2: Cultural humility and inclusive care

Nurses practice self-reflection and advocate for equitable, culturally safe care free from discrimination; address language, culture and communication needs; respect lived experiences.

Cultural humility

Ongoing self-reflection to minimize power imbalances and better understand a client’s cultural context.

Cultural safety

Care that acknowledges culture, addresses inequalities and power differences, and focuses on safe systems and interactions.

Principle 3: Safe and competent care

Nurses work within legal scope and use best available evidence to ensure safe, competent care; maintain competence and respond to client needs.

Scope of practice

The boundaries and limits of nursing duties defined by legislation (RHPA and Nursing Act); determines what nurses may legally do.

Evidence-based practice

Using the best available evidence to inform nursing decisions and care.

Independent practice

Nurses who are self-employed and provide nursing services through their own practice or business.

Documentation

Maintaining clear, complete, accurate and timely records; do not document false or misleading information.

Medication practice

Engaging in safe medication practices as per CNO standards, which includes securing proper authority (e.g., valid order), possessing the necessary knowledge (e.g., pharmacology, patient assessment), accurately calculating dosages, properly administering drugs, and documenting effectively. Nurses are accountable for their medication decisions and actions.

Health care team

Intraprofessional/interprofessional team members supporting client care, including students and Indigenous/traditional healers.

Professional boundaries

Lines between professional and personal relationships; crossing boundaries is unprofessional and a misuse of power.

Conflict of interest

A conflict of interest occurs when a nurse's personal interests, relationships, or financial gains could improperly influence their professional judgment and decision-making, potentially compromising the client's care or trust. This includes, but is not limited to, situations where -

• The nurse has a financial interest in a service or product they recommend.

• There is a personal relationship with the client or their family that impacts professional objectivity.

• Accepting gifts or benefits that could be seen as influencing professional conduct.

• When a conflict of interest is identified, nurses have an ethical and professional obligation to:

• Disclose the potential conflict to the client and their health care team.

• Explore all reasonable alternatives with the client to ensure their best interests are protected.

• Take appropriate steps to manage or resolve the conflict, which may include delegating care, seeking advice, or refusing to participate in a specific aspect of care if the conflict cannot be mitigated, always prioritizing safe and ethical client care.

Integrity and best interest

Honesty and fairness; protect client privacy; place professional responsibilities above personal gain.

Privacy and confidentiality

Protecting clients’ personal health information in line with privacy laws and practice standards.

Informed consent

Consent is informed when the client receives information about the treatment, benefits, risks, alternatives, and has answers to questions.

Substitute decision-maker

Person identified by the Health Care Consent Act to make treatment decisions for someone unable to decide.

Therapeutic nurse-client relationship

A professional relationship focused on meeting the client’s health needs; includes trust, respect, empathy, professional boundaries and power awareness.

Quality Assurance Program

CNO program for continuing competence and quality improvement, mandated by the Regulated Health Professions Act.

Determinants of health

Broad factors shaping health, including income, education, environment, social supports, culture and other social conditions.