Code of Ethics for Nurses
The nurse is an expert in promoting and maintaining health, preventing illness, caring for those who are ill, and alleviating their suffering.
The Code of Ethics states the ethical values and principles of nurses’ work. It is meant for nurses, students of nursing, other social and health care professionals, as well as for patients and society. Based on the Code, the nurse promotes good patient care and avoids causing harm to patients.
Expert in good nursing care
The nurse respects human dignity at all stages of life and engages with each patient in a respectful way. The nurse respects the patient’s right of self-determination and supports and encourages patients to be involved in their care and the decisions that concern it.
The nurse treats patients based on justice and equity. The nurse cares for each patient on an equal basis, taking into account the life situation and care needs of each individual.
Collaborating expert
The nurse collaborates with the patient and their family for the best of the patient. The nurse respects the patient’s privacy and complies with professional confidentiality. The nurse shares information concerning the patient’s care and well-being with other professionals involved in providing care in a safe and trustworthy manner.
The nurse is collegial, acknowledges their own expertise and that of other nurses. The nurse supports other nurses in professional development and decision-making.
The nurse collaborates with other professionals and those involved in providing care, respects their expertise and promotes reciprocal interprofessionalism, the shared aim of which is to achieve good patient care.
The nurse is responsible for their own work for patients and their family as well as for the nurse’s employer and society. The nurse has the right to privacy and personal integrity as well as to be treated with respect at all stages of their career.
Care contributor
As a nursing expert, the nurse is responsible for the evidence-based development and evaluation of nursing. The nurse has the right and responsibility to maintain and develop their skills. The nurse is entitled to working conditions conducive to professional development and the development of nursing work.
The nurse promotes an ethical working environment and intervenes in unethical conduct.
The nurse participates in the development of nursing and decision-making in the varying local, regional, national and international roles. In all their duties, the nurse promotes individual, social and global health and well-being.
Collegiality – towards a common goal
Collegiality means an equal and reciprocal relationship between nurses. Collegiality supports nurses in their professional work and aims to achieve a common goal: the best possible care for the patient.
