June 26, 2017: American Nurses Association Code of Ethics (2015)
The Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (2015) establishes the ethical standard for the nursing profession and provides a guide for nurses to use in ethical analysis and decision-making. The Code of Ethics is nonnegotiable in any setting and is foundational to nursing theory and practice.
Interprofessional partners also have codes of ethics. For example:
- The American Pharmacists Association Code of Ethics for Pharmacists outlines the principles that form the fundamental basis of the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists
- The American Physical Therapy Association Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist delineates the ethical obligations of all physical therapists as determined by the House of Delegates of the American Physical Therapy Association
- The Association of Professional Chaplains Code of Ethics informs its members and those with whom they work of the principles and values and expectations for ethical behavior
- The American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC) Statement of Ethics and Professional Conduct states that the conduct of professional activities the Respiratory Therapist shall be bound by ethical and professional principles
- The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) Code of Ethics sets forth the principles and standards by which Medical Laboratory Professionals practice their profession
- The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Standards of Ethics provides proactive guidance on what it means to be qualified and to motivate and promote a culture of ethical behavior
- The American Medical Association AMA Code of Medical Ethics articulates the values to which Physicians commit themselves as members of the medical profession
These codes of ethics align with our I CARE value of Integrity, “We are honest and ethical in all we say and do,” and serve to define our obligations, values and ideals.
-Janet Leatherwood, CNO