NMBA Code of Conduct

  • Key document that informs your practise as a student and later as a RN

  • The Code of Conduct is used to support individual nurses in the delivery of safe practise and fulfilling their professional roles

  • The Code of Conduct is used as a guide for the public and consumers of health services about the standard of conduct and behaviour they should expect from nurses

  • The Code of Conduct is used to help the NMBA protect the public

  • The Code of Conduct is used when evaluating the professional conduct of nurses

  • The Code of Conduct as a resource for activities which aim to enhance professionalism in the Australian healthcare system

Code of conduct for nurses: domains, principles and values 

These domains, principles and values set out legal requirements, professional behaviour and conduct expectations for all nurses. The principles apply to all areas of practice, with an understanding that nurses will exercise professional judgement in applying them, with the goal of delivering the best possible outcomes.  

(To note: Person or people is used to refer to those individuals who have entered into a therapeutic and/or professional relationship with a nurse. See the glossary for further detail).  

Domain: Practise legally 

  1. Legal compliance  

Nurses respect and adhere to their professional obligations under the National Law and abide by relevant laws. 

Domain: Practise safely, effectively and collaboratively  

  1. Person-centred practice  

Nurses provide safe, person-centred and evidence-based practice for the health and wellbeing of people and, in partnership with the person, promote shared decision-making and care delivery between the person, nominated partners, family, friends and health professionals.  

  1. Cultural practice and respectful relationships  

Nurses engage with people as individuals in a culturally safe and respectful way, foster open and honest professional relationships, and adhere to their obligations about privacy and confidentiality. 

Domain: Act with professional integrity 

  1. Professional behaviour  

Nurses embody integrity, honesty, respect and compassion.  

  1. Teaching, supervising and assessing  

Nurses commit to teaching, supervising and assessing students and other nurses, in order to develop the nursing workforce across all contexts of practice.  

  1. Research in health 

Nurses recognise the vital role of research to inform quality healthcare and policy development, conduct research ethically and support the decision-making of people who participate in research. 

Domain: Promote health and wellbeing 

  1. Health and wellbeing 

Nurses promote health and wellbeing for people and their families, colleagues, the broader community and themselves and in a way that addresses health inequality.