PPN101 Week 11 2025 Professionalism Part 1

Professionalism in Nursing (PPN101 Week 11)

Objectives

  • Examine Personal, Professional, and Socio-Cultural Values

    • Assess personal values and beliefs, how they influence patient care.

  • Discuss Professional Accountability

    • Understand what accountability entails in the nursing profession.

  • Roles and Responsibilities of Nursing Organizations

    • Legal requirements vs voluntary membership for:

    • College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)

    • Ontario Nurses Association (ONA)

    • Canadian Nurses Association (CNA)

    • Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN)

    • International Council of Nurses (ICN)

    • Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO)

    • Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI)

  • Examine Ethical and Conduct Codes

    • CNO Code of Conduct

    • CNA Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses

  • Entry to Practice Competencies for Registered Nurses

    • Discuss the NCLEX exam for professional licensing.

  • Explore Negligence and Duty of Care

  • Understand Canada’s Legal System

    • Statute Law and Tort Law (intentional/unintentional)

  • CNO Reporting Requirements

    • Regulated Health Professions Act.

  • Privacy Legislation

    • Discuss Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

Values and Beliefs

  • Recognize the importance of acknowledging personal values and beliefs.

    • Conflicts may arise between personal values and those of clients or institutions.

  • Reflective Questions:

    • Consider examples of value conflicts.

    • Share personal experiences where values conflicted.

    • Discuss approaches to resolving such conflicts.

Professional Accountability

  • Definition: Accountability is the ability to accept responsibility for one’s actions and being answerable to someone for something done.

  • Grounded in moral principles of fidelity (faithfulness) and respect for patient dignity.

  • CNA (2017) Statement: “Nurses are honest and practice with integrity in all of their professional interactions.”

Responsibilities of Nurses Enacting Accountability

  • Maintain professional standards, laws, and regulations.

  • Ensure competence to provide safe and effective practice.

  • Maintain fitness to practice physically, mentally, and emotionally.

  • Share knowledge through mentorship and feedback.

  • Advocate for comprehensive, equitable mental health care services.

Conflicts in Professional Roles

  • Explore when professional roles might conflict.

  • Analyze the significance of professional accountability in legal and ethical practice.

Nursing Organizations

  • College of Nurses (CNO): Self-regulating since 1963, ensuring public interests transcend professional interests.

    • Responsibilities include entry requirements, practice standards, quality assurance programs, and legislative participation.

  • Ontario Nurses Association (ONA): Established in 1973 as a trade union advocating for nurses, emphasizing member-driven initiatives and safe practices.

  • Canadian Nurses Association (CNA): Represents Canada’s RNs, focusing on leadership, policy advocacy, and improvement of the profession’s public interest.

  • International Council of Nurses (ICN): Federation of national nursing organizations aimed at advancing the profession globally.

  • Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN): Voice for nursing education, establishing standards and supporting nursing knowledge advancement.

  • Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO): Professional association that represents RNs, providing options for membership and focusing on quality care advancement.

  • Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI): Honor society committed to nursing knowledge advancement and global healthcare transformation.

CNO Code of Conduct

  • Purpose: Protects the public by promoting safe nursing practices.

  • Outlines accountabilities of nurses and how to maintain professionalism and ethical behavior.

  • Relevant to all nurses, regardless of role or responsibilities.

  • Informed by legislation, including Ontario Human Rights Code and Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations.

  • Principles include:

    1. Respect clients’ dignity.

    2. Provide inclusive, culturally safe care.

    3. Deliver safe and competent care.

    4. Collaborate respectfully with health care team members.

    5. Act with integrity in clients' best interest.

    6. Maintain public confidence in the nursing profession.

Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics

  • Key Values and Principles:

    1. Dignity and Autonomy: Uphold the dignity of all people and promote self-determination.

    2. Humanizing Care: Focus on compassionate and ethical conduct in relationships.

    3. Integrity and Accountability: Maintain professional boundaries and act responsibly in practice.

    4. Truth and Reconciliation: Promote reconciliation and integrate indigenous knowledge into practice.

    5. Social Justice: Advocate for rights and social determinants of health.

    6. Competency: Engage in continuous professional development to maintain nursing competence.

    7. Confidentiality: Uphold client privacy and confidentiality standards.

Entry-to-Practice Competencies

  • Establish a framework for nursing practice to ensure:

    • Public safety

    • Consistency across regions in competencies for nursing education

    • Responsibilities during registration and licensure.

  • Competency Definition: Knowledge, skill, and judgment necessary for safe and ethical practice for all RNs in Ontario (CNO, 2014).

  • Ensured consistency across the country so that RN competencies are standardized nationwide.

NCLEX Exam

  • Purpose: Assesses knowledge, skill, and judgment for safe nursing practices.

  • Concentrates on entry-level knowledge required for effective practice, such as:

    • Pain management

    • Medication administration

    • Infection control

    • Confidentiality of patient information.

Regulatory Framework and Legal Responsibilities

  • Legal Categories of Canadian Law:

    • Public Law: Concerns relationships between individuals and the state (e.g., human rights, criminal law).

    • Private Law: Deals with disputes between individuals (e.g., contracts, civil injuries).

  • Key Definitions:

    • Liability: Legal responsibility for actions or omissions enforceable by law.

    • Tort Law: Branch of civil law addressing wrongful acts, allowing compensation for injuries.

    • Negligence: Breach of duty causing injury; must demonstrate a duty of care existed.

    • Duty of Care: Legal obligation to prevent harm to others.

    • Standard of Care: Establishes what is reasonable in given circumstances.

  • Types of Torts:

    • Intentional Torts: Include assault and battery.

    • Unintentional Torts (Negligence): Lack of intent; liability arises from inaction or harm.

Preventing Negligence

  • Follow established practice standards.

  • Ensure appropriate educational and staffing levels.

  • Communicate effectively with healthcare team members.

  • Maintain detailed, accurate documentation of all assessments and interventions.

Confidentiality & Privacy

  • Ethical and legal obligation to maintain client confidentiality.

  • Governed by:

    • Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA): Protects health information privacy in Ontario.

    • Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA): Federal law governing personal information protection.

Conclusion

  • Legal Reporting Obligations: Nurses must report unsafe practices and misconduct, including potential abuse to appropriate authorities.

  • Understanding the legal responsibilities enhances accountability and ensures safe, ethical nursing practices in Ontario.