Introduction
Advancing one’s career to senior levels requires discipline in complying with stipulated codes of conduct. Professionals are encouraged to integrate social practices which enhance stakeholder relationship in the workplace. Medical practitioners require both academic and professional certification to practice legally in the healthcare sector (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2021a). A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is allowed to facilitate necessary care activities, including administration of medication and reporting extreme body changes among patients. A Registered Nurse (RN) takes a more extended accreditation period than an LPN and a greater scope of practice. Fundamentally, the former engages other vital stakeholders ethically when offering healthcare services to patients (ANA, 2021b). Competent attributes of a qualified RN include the quality of medical services delivered to patients and stakeholder interaction during treatment. This research aims to determine the essence of implementing moral policies defining ethics among nurses seeking accreditation.
Importance of Code of Ethics in Nursing
Codes of ethics are vital in enhancing the quality of medical care among patients with different illnesses. For an effective RN, it is essential to adopt values that develop positivity when relating to individuals with extreme medical complications (ANA, 2021a). For instance, counseling a terminally-ill patient requires informed communication when delivering sad information. In essence, the organizational culture of medical institutions is determined by the ethical relationship with other stakeholders. Integrating ethics in communication is critical for enhancing accuracy during decision-making among patients when they react without panic or pressure. Instances depicting unethical practices can result in related medical complications among individuals with chronic illnesses. This is common for individuals with psychological conditions which depend on positive values of interaction during treatment (ANA, 2021b). A good relationship would imply a conducive environment for both mental and physical recovery from an illness.
Moreover, RNs are encouraged to ensure ethical practices when engaging with colleagues and other stakeholders in the workplace. Interacting with fellow certified professionals in other healthcare sectors is regulated by the defined scope of practice by the American Nurses Association Standards of Practice (ANA, 2021a). In this case, doctors and nurses are expected to interact collaboratively and cooperatively with inter-professionals when treating severe medical complications. The code of ethics is vital for RNs as it reduces instances of stakeholder conflicts with other professionals (ANA, 2021b). For example, implementing administrative policies against discrimination is an ethical practice that mitigates personal disagreements arising from social debates (ANA, 2021a). Skills obtained by certified experts can be useful in future cases requiring teamwork in healthcare emergency cases (ANA, 2021b). Integration of ethical practices and moral values, most importantly, is useful for prompt psychological and physiological recovery among patients.
The American Nurses Association Standards of Practice
Nursing is a regulated medical practice that receives guidelines from the American Nursing Association. In essence, the state agency defines standards of practice among certified professionals offering healthcare services to patients (ANA, 2021a). Medical practitioners with varying certifications are assigned codes of ethics guided by the scope of practice. In this case, RNs are expected to progressively involve other practitioners, within a medical team, for comprehensive recovery among patients (ANA, 2021b). For instance, certified nurses should maintain the confidentiality of patients’ data. Maintaining the privacy of personal details is an ethical practice that ANA considers vital for critical decision-making in the treatment process (ANA, 2021a). Fundamentally, RNs should integrate organizational values for professional competence among medical experts. These values ensure the accurate adoption of administrative policies which enhance ethics during stakeholder interaction.
ANA Code of Ethics presents useful professional values for career growth among registered nurses. Basic morals and ethics are instrumental in facilitating career development among junior healthcare experts (ANA, 2021b). RNs adhering to ANA regulations acquire vital medical skills, which make them professionally marketable among healthcare institutions (ANA, 2021a). For instance, advancing from junior to senior expert levels would require nurses to ensure strict adherence to privacy laws related to patients’ records. Nurses with similar ethical values improve stakeholder relationships among medical institutions, eventually benefiting the patients (ANA, 2021b). Assigned health experts in a teamwork case integrate moral values in coordinating prompt treatment and recovery. The ANA Code of Ethics ensures progressive career goals and strategies (ANA, 2021a). Registered nurses, as highlighted before, achieve high competency by implementing values that ensure prompt recovery among patients.
Conclusion
An ethical code of conduct is useful for medical experts offering healthcare services to patients. It allows RNs to interact positively with colleagues by facilitating a conducive environment for prompt patient recovery. The ANA ensures ethical conduct among nurses by regulating vital standards of practice. The code of ethical conduct among RNs is useful for advancing an individual’s career from junior to senior levels, as provided by the ANA. Most importantly, professional competence among nurses is evaluated using the quality of care to patients. Recovering from an illness requires the intervention of multiple professionals working collaboratively. Ethics is important for RNs as it also reduces social conflicts with colleagues in healthcare organizations. Constant disagreements can affect the quality of care delivered to patients facing chronic illnesses.
References
American Nurses Association. (2021a). Registered Nurse (RN) day of surgery center. ANA Enterprise. Web.
American Nurses Association. (2021b). View the code of ethics for nurses. ANA Enterprise. Web.