Development of the ANA Codes of Ethics

Code of ethics is essential in all professional fields including nursing, business, philosophy, and medicine (Fowler, 2010). In relation to the nursing practice, ethics are rules and standards of behavior expected of nursing professionals. Ethics have been evolving in the nursing profession since Florence Nightingale developed a pledge for her nursing endeavor. As education and nursing care advance, the ethical codes evolve to reflect the changes.

In 2001, the American Nurses Association (ANA) developed a code of ethics that are the gold standard for the nursing ethical conduct (Ibid). In1995, the Board of Directors of the American Nurses Association and the Congress on Nursing Practice and Economics (CNPE) initiated the code of ethics project. ANA and CNPE appointed a task force to design the review process, analyze and revise the 1985 Code for Nurses, provide initial substantive critique and suggest modification, develop an open, review process, and create final recommendations. In 1998, the task force revised the 1995 Code of Nurses and forwarded a draft termed the Code of Ethics to the ANA House of Delegates (HOD) for approval. HOD voted to send the Code of Ethics for nurses back the board of directors for further work. The Board of Directors directed the task force to conduct further revision to include increased nursing staff participation. The task force, therefore, conducted extensive field reviews, regional conferences, presentations, group and individual discussions. In 2001, the HOD and the Congress on Nursing and economics voted, fully approving the nine principle provisions of the revised code of ethics. The ANA Codes of Ethics, 2005, is the latest version.

Reference

Fowler, M. (2010). “Guide to the Code of Ethics for Nurses”. Silver Spring, MD: American

Nurses Association.

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