Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses

Legal basis and development

The Board’s authority and framework for the Code are anchored on Republic Act No. 9173 (the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002), including provisions on the Board’s power to promulgate the Code and the Commission’s approval requirement.
The formulation of the Code uses the Code of Good Governance for the Professions in the Philippines as its principal basis, adopting and integrating its principles as they apply to nursing.
The Code is linked to nursing practice definitions and duties established by Republic Act No. 9173 and the implementing rules under Board Res. No. 425, Series of 2003, referred to as the IRR.

Policy and ethical aim

The Code declares that health is a fundamental right of every individual and that a Filipino registered nurse must preserve health at all cost.
The Code requires a registered nurse’s responsibility to encompass promotion of health, prevention of illness, alleviation of suffering, and restoration of health.
When the foregoing are not possible, the Code imposes an obligation to provide assistance towards a peaceful death.
The Code recognizes nursing care effectiveness depends on knowledge and understanding of cultural, social, spiritual, physiological, psychological, and ecological aspects of illness, using the therapeutic process.
The Code states that respect and confidence from patients, colleagues, co-workers, and the community provide incentives to attain and maintain the highest possible degree of ethical conduct.

Ethical principles: patients, privacy, respect

Ethical principles require respect for values, customs, and spiritual beliefs of individuals.
Ethical principles require respect for individual freedom to make rational and unconstrained decisions.
Ethical principles require that personal information acquired in the process of giving nursing care be held in strict confidence.
The Code frames registered nurses as advocates of patients and requires safeguarding patients’ rights and privileges.
Registered Nurses must respect the Patients’ Bill of Rights in the delivery of nursing care.

Practical ethical guidelines in nursing care

Registered Nurses must consider the individuality and totality of patients when administering care.
Registered Nurses must respect spiritual beliefs and practices of patients regarding diet and treatment.
Registered Nurses must uphold the rights of individuals.
Registered Nurses must take into consideration the culture and values of patients in providing nursing care, and when conflicts arise, welfare and safety must take precedence.
Registered Nurses must provide patients or their families all pertinent information except information that may be deemed harmful to their well-being.
Registered Nurses must uphold patients’ rights when conflict arises regarding management of their care.

Ethical principles: life, quality, accountability

The Code provides that human life is inviolable.
The Code requires that quality and excellence in patient care are the goals of nursing practice.
The Code requires accurate documentation of actions and outcomes delivered care as the hallmark of nursing accountability.
Registered Nurses must know the definition and scope of nursing practice under Republic Act No. 9173 and Board Res. No. 425, Series of 2003 (the IRR).
Registered Nurses must be aware of their duties and responsibilities in the practice of their profession as defined by Republic Act No. 9173 and the IRR.

Professional competence and authority duties

Registered Nurses must acquire and develop necessary competence in knowledge, skills, and attitudes to render appropriate nursing services.
If a registered nurse is an administrator, the Code requires responsibility for providing a favorable environment for the growth and development of registered nurses in their charge.
Registered Nurses must be cognizant that professional programs for specialty certification by the BON are accredited through the Nursing Specialty Certification Council (NSCC).
Registered Nurses must ensure that quality nursing care and practice meet the optimum standard of safe nursing practice.
Registered Nurses must ensure that modification of practice considers the principles of safe nursing practice.
If in a position of authority, Registered Nurses must normally and legally be responsible for devising a system of minimizing occurrences of ineffective and unlawful nursing practice.

Records, privacy limits, and legal access

Registered Nurses must ensure that patients’ records are available only if they are to be issued to those who are professionally and directly involved in their care and when required by law.
Registered Nurses must ensure confidentiality and restrict access through the Code’s record-handling rule and the Code’s strict-confidence principle for personal information.

Ethics in conduct and conflicts of interest

Registered Nurses must perform professional duties in conformity with existing laws, rules, regulations, measures, and generally accepted principles of moral conduct and proper decorum.
Registered Nurses must not allow themselves to be used in advertisement that demeans the image of the profession, including indecent exposure, violation of dress code, seductive behavior, and similar conduct.
Registered Nurses must decline any gift, favor, or hospitality that might be interpreted as capitalizing on patients.
Registered Nurses must not demand and receive any commission, fee, or emolument for recommending or referring a patient to a physician, a co-nurse, or another health care worker.
Registered Nurses must not pay any commission, fee, or other compensation to the person referring or recommending a patient to them for nursing care.
Registered Nurses must avoid any abuse of the privilege relationship with patients and the privilege access allowed to patients’ property, residence, or workplace.

Collegial conduct with the healthcare team

Registered Nurses must maintain solidarity with other members of the healthcare team in working for the patient’s best interest.
Registered Nurses must maintain collegial and collaborative working relationships with colleagues and other healthcare providers.
Registered Nurses must maintain their professional role/identity when working with other members of the health team.
Registered Nurses must conform with group activities where a health team’s activities are based on acceptable ethico-legal standards.
Registered Nurses must contribute to the professional growth and development of other members of the health team.
Registered Nurses must actively participate in professional organizations.

Professional reputation and society obligations

Registered Nurses must not act in any manner prejudicial to other professions.
Registered Nurses must honor and safeguard the reputation and dignity of members of nursing and other professions and refrain from unfair and unwarranted comments or criticisms on competence, conduct, and procedures.
Registered Nurses must avoid anything that will bring discredit to a colleague and to any member of other professions.
Registered Nurses must respect the rights of co-workers.
Registered Nurses must commit to preservation of life, respect for human rights, and promotion of a healthy environment.
Registered Nurses must establish linkages with the public in promoting local, national, and international efforts to meet health and social needs as a contributing member of society.

Public service and ongoing professional loyalty

Registered Nurses must be conscious of their obligations as citizens and be involved in community concerns.
Registered Nurses must be equipped with knowledge of health resources within the community and take active roles in primary health care.
Registered Nurses must actively participate in programs, projects, and activities that respond to problems of society.
Registered Nurses must lead their lives in conformity with principles of right conduct and proper decorum and project an image that uplifts the nursing profession at all times.
The Code requires maintenance of loyalty to the nursing profession and preservation of its integrity.
Registered Nurses must comply with by-laws of the accredited professional organization (PNA) and other professional organizations of which they are members.
Registered Nurses must commit to continual learning and active participation in the development and growth of the profession.
Registered Nurses must contribute to improving socio-economic conditions and general welfare of nurses through appropriate legislation and a visionary mission.

Administrative penalties and repealing clause

The Certificate of Registration of a Registered Nurse is revoked or suspended for violation of any provisions of the Code under Section 23(f), Article IV of Republic Act No. 9173 and Section 23(f), Rule III of Board Res. No. 425, Series of 2003 (the IRR).
The amended Code of Ethics promulgated pursuant to R.A. No. 877 and P.D. No. 223 is repealed or superseded by this Code.
This Code takes effect fifteen (15) days from full and complete publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspapers of general circulation under Section 20.