Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia
code of professional conduct for nurses in australia
Introduction Introduction Code of Professional Conduct Purpose Glossary of Terms References
Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses
Professional conduct refers to the manner in which a person behaves while acting in a professional capacity. It is generally accepted that when performing their duties and conducting their affairs professionals will uphold exemplary standards of conduct, commonly taken to mean standards not generally expected of lay people or the ‘ordinary person in the street’.1 The Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia is supported by the Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia. This Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses sets the minimum standards for practice a professional person is expected to uphold both within and outside of professional domains in order to ensure the ‘good standing’ of the nursing profession. These two companion Codes, together with other published practice standards (eg competency standards, decision-making frameworks, guidelines and position statements), provide a framework for legally and professionally accountable and responsible nursing practice in all clinical, management, education and research domains.2 The support and assistance of Royal College of Nursing, Australia and the Australian Nursing Federation in developing this edition of the Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia is acknowledged. In considering this Code and the Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia, it should be borne in mind that they are designed for multiple audiences: nurses; nursing students; people requiring or receiving nursing care; other health workers; the community generally; employers of nurses; nursing regulatory authorities; and consumer protection agencies.
1. Nurses practise in a safe and competent manner. 2. Nurses practise in accordance with the standards of the profession and broader health system. 3. Nurses practise and conduct themselves in
Introduction Introduction Code of Professional Conduct Purpose Glossary of Terms References
Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses
Professional conduct refers to the manner in which a person behaves while acting in a professional capacity. It is generally accepted that when performing their duties and conducting their affairs professionals will uphold exemplary standards of conduct, commonly taken to mean standards not generally expected of lay people or the ‘ordinary person in the street’.1 The Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia is supported by the Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia. This Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses sets the minimum standards for practice a professional person is expected to uphold both within and outside of professional domains in order to ensure the ‘good standing’ of the nursing profession. These two companion Codes, together with other published practice standards (eg competency standards, decision-making frameworks, guidelines and position statements), provide a framework for legally and professionally accountable and responsible nursing practice in all clinical, management, education and research domains.2 The support and assistance of Royal College of Nursing, Australia and the Australian Nursing Federation in developing this edition of the Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia is acknowledged. In considering this Code and the Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia, it should be borne in mind that they are designed for multiple audiences: nurses; nursing students; people requiring or receiving nursing care; other health workers; the community generally; employers of nurses; nursing regulatory authorities; and consumer protection agencies.
1. Nurses practise in a safe and competent manner. 2. Nurses practise in accordance with the standards of the profession and broader health system. 3. Nurses practise and conduct themselves in