NURSIN

G CODE
OF ETHICS
Board of Nursing
Board Resolution No. 220
Series of 2004
01 02 03
ARTICLE I ARTICLE II ARTICLE III
Preamble Registered Nurses and People Registered Nurses and Practice

04 05 06
ARTICLE V ARTICLE VI
ARTICLE IV
Registered Nurses, Society, and Registered Nurses and the
Registered Nurses and Co- Profession
Workers Environment
ARTICL
The Preamble
EI
 The Preamble

Section 1.
Health is a fundamental right of every individual. The Filipino registered nurse,
believing in the worth and dignity of each human being, recognizes the primary
responsibility to preserve health at all cost. This responsibility encompasses
promotion of health, prevention of illness, alleviation of suffering, and
restoration of health. However, when the foregoing are not possible, assistance
towards a peaceful death shall be his/her obligation.
 The Preamble

Section 2.
To assume this responsibility, registered nurses have to gain knowledge and
understanding of man’s cultural, social, spiritual, physiological, psychological, and
ecological aspects of illness, utilizing the therapeutic process. Cultural diversity
and political and socio-economic status are inherent factors to effective nursing
care.
 The Preamble

Section 3.
The desire for the respect and confidence of clientele, colleagues, co-workers, and
the members of the community provides the incentive to attain and maintain the
highest possible degree of ethical conduct.
ARTICLE
Registered Nurses
II
and People
 The Registered Nurses and the
People

Section 4.
Ethical Principles
1. Values, customs, and spiritual beliefs held by individuals shall be respected.
2. Individual freedom to make rational and unconstrained decisions shall be
respected.
3. Personal information acquired in the process of giving nursing care shall be
held in strict confidence.
 The Registered Nurses and the
People
Section 5.
Guidelines to be observed:
REGISTERED Nurses must:
a) consider the individuality and totality of patients when they administer care.
b) respect the spiritual beliefs and practices of patients regarding diet and
treatment.
c) uphold the rights of individuals.
d) take into consideration the culture and values of patients in providing nursing
care. However, in the event of conflicts, their welfare and safety must take
precedence.
ARTICLE
Registered Nurses
III
and Practice
 The Registered Nurses and the
Practice

Section 6.
Ethical Principles
1. Human life is inviolable
2. Quality and excellence in the care of the patients are the goals of nursing
practice
3. Accurate documentation of actions and outcomes of delivered care is the
hallmark of nursing accountability
 The Registered Nurses and the
Practice
Section 7.
Guidelines to be observed:
REGISTERED Nurses must:
a) know the definition and scope of nursing practice which are in the provisions of
R. A. No. 9173,
b) be aware of their duties and responsibilities in the practice of their profession as
defined in the “Philippine Nursing Act of 2002”
c) acquire and develop the necessary competence in knowledge, skills, and
attitudes to effectively render appropriate nursing services through varied
learning situations.
 The Registered Nurses and the
Practice
Section 7.
Guidelines to be observed:
REGISTERED Nurses must
d) if they are administrators, be responsible in providing favorable environment
for the growth and developments of Registered Nurses in their charge.
e) be cognizant that professional programs for specialty certification by the BON
are accredited through the Nursing Specialty Certification Counci (NSCC).
f) see to it that quality nursing care and practice meet the optimum standard of
safe nursing practice
 The Registered Nurses and the
Practice
Section 7.
Guidelines to be observed:
REGISTERED Nurses must
g) insure that modification of practice shall consider the principles of safe nursing
practice.
h) if in position of authority in a work environment, be normally and legally
responsible for devising a system of minimizing occurrences of ineffective and
unlawful nursing practice.
i) ensure that patients’ records shall be available only if they are to be issued to
those who are professionally and directly involved in their care and when they
are required by law.
 The Registered Nurses and the
Practice

Section 8.
Ethical Principle
4. Registered Nurses are the advocates of the patients: they shall take appropriate
steps to safeguard their rights and privileges.
 The Registered Nurses and the
Practice
Section 9.
Ethical Principle
Guidelines to be observed:
REGISTERED Nurses must
a) respect the “Patients’ Bill of Rights” in the delivery of nursing care.
b) provide the patients or their families with all pertinent information except those
which may be deemed harmful to their well-being.
c) uphold the patients’ rights when conflict arises regarding management of their
care.
 The Registered Nurses and the
Practice

Section 10.
Ethical Principle
5. Registered nurses are aware that their actions have professional, ethical moral,
and, legal dimensions. They strive to perform their work in the best interest of
all concerned.
 The Registered Nurses and the
Practice
Section 11
Guidelines to be observed
REGISTERED Nurses must:
a) perform their professional duties in conformity with existing laws, rules
regulations. measures, and generally accepted principles of moral conduct and
proper decorum.
b) not allow themselves to be used in advertisement that should demean the image
of the profession (i.e. indecent exposure, violation of dress code seductive
behavior, etc.).
c) c. decline any gift, favor or hospitality which might be interpreted as
capitalizing on patients
 The Registered Nurses and the
Practice
Section 11
Guidelines to be observed
REGISTERED Nurses must:
d) not demand and receive any commission, fee or emolument for recommending
or referring a patient to a physician, a co-nurse or another PRC-BN health care
worker; not to pay any commission, fee or other compensations to the one
referring or recommending a patient to them for nursing care.
e) avoid any abuse of the privilege relationship which exists with patients and of
the privilege access allowed to their property, residence or workplace.
ARTICLE
Registered Nurses
IV
and Co-Workers
 The Registered Nurses and Co-
Workers

Section 12
Ethical Principles
1. The Registered Nurse is in solidarity with other members of the healthcare team
in working for the patient’s best interest.
2. The Registered Nurse maintains collegial and collaborative working
relationship with colleagues and other health care providers.
 The Registered Nurses and Co-
Workers
Section 13
Guidelines to be observed:
REGISTERED Nurses must
a) maintain their professional role/identity while working with other members of
the health team.
b) conform with group activities as those of a health team should be based on
acceptable, ethico-legal statndards.
c) contribute to the professional growth and development of other members of the
health team.
d) actively participate in professional organizations.
 The Registered Nurses and Co-
Workers
Section 13
Guidelines to be observed:
REGISTERED Nurses must
e) not act in any manner prejudicial to other professions.
f) honor and safeguard the reputation and dignity of the members of nursing and
other professions; refrain from making unfair and unwarranted comments or
criticisms on their competence, conduct, and procedures; or not do anything
that will bring discredit to a colleague and to any member of other professions.
g) respect the rights of their co-workers.
ARTICLE
Registered Nurses,
V
Society, and
Environment
The Registered Nurses, Society, and Environment

Section 14
Ethical Principles
1. The preservation of life, respect for human rights, and promotion of healthy
environment shall be a commitment of a Registered Nurse.
2. The establishment of linkages with the public in promoting local, national, and
international efforts to meet health and social needs of the people as a
contributing member of society is a noble concern of a Registered Nurse.
The Registered Nurses, Society, and Environment
Section 15
Guidelines to be observed:
REGISTERED Nurses must
a) be conscious of their obligations as citizens and, as such, be involved in
community concerns.
b) be equipped with knowledge of health resources within the community, and
take active roles in primary health care.
c) actively participate in programs, projects, and activities that respond to the
problems of society.
d) lead their lives in conformity with the principles of right conduct and proper
decorum.
e) project an image that will uplift the nursing profession at all times.
ARTICLE
Registered Nurses
VI
and the Profession
 The Registered Nurses and the Profession
Section 16
Ethical Principles
1. Maintenance of loyalty to the nursing profession and preservation of its
integrity are ideal.
2. Compliance with the by-laws of the accredited professional organization
(PNA), and other professional organizations of which the Registered Nurse is a
member is a lofty duty.
3. Commitment to continual learning and active participation in the development
and growth of the profession are commendable obligations.
4. Contribution to the improvement of the socio-economic conditions and general
welfare of nurses through appropriate legislation is a practice and a visionary
mission.
 The Registered Nurses and the Profession

Section 17
Guidelines to be observed:
REGISTERED Nurses must
a) be members of the Accredited Professional Organization (PNA).
b) strictly adhere to the nursing standards.
c) participate actively in the growth and development of the nursing profession
d) strive to secure equitable socio-economic and working conditions in nursing
through appropriate legislation and other means
e) assert for the implementation of labor and work standards