ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

Respect for individuals Respect for persons is an overarching maxim of morality

that influences all other ethical principles (Fowler and Fry, 1988). Respect for individuals
is fundamental to recognition of the autonomy of individuals as it incorporates ethical
convictions that individuals should be treated as autonomous agents, and that persons
with diminished autonomy (such as children and mentally insane) are entitled to
protection. (Belmont Report, 1979). Autonomy The concept of autonomy means that
individuals are to be permitted personal liberty to determine their own actions
(Fowler and Fry, 1988).
Nonmaleficence The principle of nonmaleficence is based on a persons
rigorous obligation to avoid injuring another individual (Johnstone, 1989).
Beneficence The principle of beneficence demands that above all, an individual
should do only (Polit and Hungler, 1991), and contribute to the welfare of others
(Beauchamp and Childress, 1994).
Justice The principle of justice provides the obligation to be fair to all. This
principle requires that social benefits (e.g. health-care services) and social burdens (e.g.
taxes) be distributed in accordance with the demands of justice.
Fidelity Fidelity refers to the obligation of a person to be faithful to agreements,
responsibilities and commitments that he has made to himself and to others.
Veracity Veracity refers to the principles of truthfulness.

MORAL PRINCIPLES
1.Golden Rule
2.The principle of Totality The whole is greater than its parts
3.Epikia There is always an exemption to the rule
4.One who acts through as agent is herself responsible (instrument to the
crime)

5.No one is obliged to betray herself You cannot betray yourself

6.The end does not justify the means
7.Defects of nature maybe corrected
8.If one is willing to cooperate in the act, no justice is done to him
9.A little more or a little less does not change the substance of an act. 10.No one
is held to impossible. GUIDE TO
ETHICAL DECISION MAKING
Nurses must realize that nursing practice does not only involve performing
nursing skills and procedures perfectly well. They must also observe ethical practice in
the performance of their performance of their duties and must be constantly aware of
their ethical obligations. The requirement of ethical practice are both moral sensitivity
and moral action. Moral sensitivity refers to the ability of a person to recognize moral
problems as actual or potential conflicts in rights, duties, or principles. A nurse who has
no knowledge of ethical principle will not be able to see moral conflicts that may
confront her in her professional practice and therefore, will be unable to make ethical
judgment and decision making (Oddi, L.F., Cassidy, V.R., and Fisher, C., 1995).
INTERNATIONAL CODE OF NURSING
Preamble
Nurses have four fundamental responsibilities: to promote health, to prevent
illness, to restore health and to alleviate suffering. The need for nursing is universal.
Inherent in nursing is respect for human rights, including the right to life, to dignity and
to be treated with respect. Nursing care is unrestricted by considerations of age, colour,
creed, culture, disability or illness, gender, nationality, politics, race or social status.
Nurses render health services to the individual, the family and the community and coordinate their services with those of related groups.
1. Nurses and people

The nurses primary professional responsibility is to people requiring nursing

care.
In providing care, the nurse promotes an environment in which the human rights,
values, customs and spiritual beliefs of the individual, family and community are
respected. The nurse ensures that the individual receives sufficient information on which
to base consent for care and related treatment. The nurse holds in confidence personal
information and uses judgement in sharing this information. The nurse shares with
society the responsibility for initiating and supporting action to meet the health and
social needs of the public, in particular those of vulnerable populations. The nurse also
shares responsibility to sustain and protect the natural environment from depletion,
pollution, degradation and destruction.
2. Nurses and practice
The nurse carries personal responsibility and accountability for nursing practice,
and for maintaining competence by continual learning. The nurse maintains a standard
of personal health such that the ability to provide care is not compromised. The nurse
uses judgement regarding individual competence when accepting and delegating
responsibility. The nurse at all times maintains standards of personal conduct which
reflect well on the profession and enhance public confidence.The nurse, in providing
care, ensures that use of technology and scientific advances are compatible with the
safety, dignity and rights of people.
3. Nurses and the profession
The nurse assumes the major role in determining and implementing acceptable
standards of clinical nursing practice, management, research and education. The nurse
is active in developing a core of research based professional knowledge. The nurse,
acting through the professional organisation, participates in creating and maintaining
equitable social and economic working conditions in nursing.
4. Nurses and co-workers

The nurse sustains a co-operative relationship with co-workers in nursing and

other fields. The nurse takes appropriate action to safeguard individuals when their care
is endangered by a coworkeror any other person.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES IN THE PHILIPPINES
What are CODES OF ETHICS?
These are systematic guides for developing ethical behavior
They answer normative questions of what beliefs and values should be normally
accepted
Code of Good Governance Promulgated by the Professional Regulation Commission,
July 23, 2003 States that : The hallmark of all professionals is their willingness to accept
a set of professional and ethical principles which they follow in the conduct of their daily
lives.The acceptance of these principles requires the maintenance of a standard of
conduct higher than what is required by law. This code is adopted by the Professional
Regulation Commission and the 42 Professional Regulatory Boards to cover an
environment of good governance in which all Filipino professionals shall perform their
duties.
General Principles:
-Service to Others
-Integrity and Objectivity
-Professional Competence
-Solidarity and Teamwork
-Social and Civic Responsibility
-Global Competitiveness
-Equality of All Professions
After consultation on October 23, 2003 at Iloilo City with the accredited professional
organization of registered nurses, the code was adopted under the Republic Act 9173

and promulgated by the Board of Nursing under Resolution No. 220 Series of 2004 last
July 14, 2004.
Preamble:
Sec. 1 Health is a fundamental right of the individual (4-fold responsibilities & if not
possible assistance towards a peaceful death
Sec 2 Nurses have to gain knowledge & understanding of mans cultural, social,
spiritual, psychological, & ecological aspects of illness utilizing the therapeutic process.
Sec. 3 The desire for respect & confidence of clientele, colleagues, co-workers, & the
members of the community provide the incentive to attain & maintain the highest
possible degree of ethical conduct.
Article II - Registered Nurses and People (Service to Others) 1. Values, customs &
spiritual beliefs held by the individual shall be represented 2. Individual freedom to make
rational & unconstrained decision shall be respected. 3. Personal information acquired
in the process of giving nursing care shall be in strict confidence.
Article III Registered Nurse and Practice (Integrity and Objectivity) 1. Human life is
inviolable 2. Quality & excellence in the care of the patients are the goals of nursing
practice 3. Accurate documentation of actions & outcomes of delivered care is the
hallmark of nursing accountability 4. RNs are the advocate of the patients: they shall
take appropriate steps to safeguard their rights & privileges. 5. RNs are aware that their
actions have professional, moral & legal dimensions. They strive to perform their work in
the best interest of all concerned.
Article IV Registered Nurses and Co-Workers (Solidarity and Teamwork) 1. The RN is
in solidarity with other members of the health care team in working for the patients best
interest. 2. The RN maintains collegial & collaborative working relationship with
colleagues & other health care providers.
Article V RN, Society and Environment (Social and Civic Responsibility) 1. The
preservation of life, respect for human rights & promotion of a healthy environment shall
be a commitment of a RN 2. The establishment of linkages w/ the public in promoting

local, national & international efforts to meet health & social needs of the people as a
contributing member of society is a noble concern of a RN
Article VI RN and the Profession (Professional Competence; Global Competitiveness;
Equality of all Professions) 1. Maintenance of loyalty to the nursing profession &
preservation of its integrity are ideal 2. Compliance w/ the by-laws of the PNA, & other
professional organizations of w/c the RN is a member is a lofty duty 3. Commitment to
continual learning and active participation in the development & growth of the profession
are commendable obligations 4. Contribution to the improvement of the socio-economic
conditions & general welfare of nurses through appropriate legislation is a practice &
visionary mission.
REFERENCES:
Sia, R.M. et al. (2006). Nursing Law and Ethics. Quezon City. RMSIA Publishing
Vera, H. (2004). Code of Ethics for Filipino Nurses. Retrieved from www.scribed.com.
Retrieved on June 19, 2014
Bautista, E. (2003). Ethico-Moral Aspects of Nursing. Retrieved from
www.scribed.com. Retrieved on June 19, 2014