1

Principles of the Nursing

Profession
PROFESSIONAL COURSES (NRS1101)
 OUTLINE
Principles of the Nursing Profession

1. Professional Conduct
 Importance of Professional Conduct for Nurses
 Key Principles of Professional Conduct

2. Legal and Ethical Aspects of Healthcare.

 key points regarding the legal foundations of nursing
 Ethical Principles in Nursing Practice

3. Understanding People in Healthcare.

 The Role of the Professional Nurse
 Understanding Patients' Unique Needs and Perspectives

4. Professional responsibilities and duties for nursing.

1. Principles of the
Nursing Profession:
Professional Conduct
 1. Professional Conduct

• Professional conduct is the foundation of nursing practice, shaping how nurses

interact with patients, colleagues, and the healthcare system.

• Professional conduct in nursing involves adhering to core values and ethical

standards, demonstrating competence, integrity, and respect. Nurses must

maintain safety, confidentiality, advocate for patients, and be professional in

appearance, punctuality, and communication.

 Importance of Professional Conduct for Nurses

1 Trust and Respect 2 3 Promotes Positive

Patient Safety Work Environment

Professional nurses build Professional conduct Professionalism promotes

trust with patients, ensures high-quality care, respect and teamwork in
families, and colleagues, protecting patients from healthcare, improving team
helping improve harm and supporting their dynamics, job satisfaction, and
communication, well-being. patient care.
teamwork, and patient
care.
 Importance of Professional Conduct for
Nurses
4 Upholds Ethical Standards 5 Ensures Legal & 6 Supports Continuous
Regulatory Compliance Learning and Growth

Professional conduct follows Following professional standards Professional conduct encourages

nursing ethics, respecting protects nurses from legal issues ongoing learning and self-reflection,
patient autonomy, and ensures compliance with helping nurses stay updated, improve
confidentiality, and dignity, and regulations, safeguarding both the skills, and provide the best care.
helps nurses make ethical nurse and the patient.
decisions in complex situations.
 Key Principles of Professional
Conduct

1 Accountability 2 Confidentiality 3 Compassion

Nurses are accountable for Protecting patient
Nurses show empathy, recognizing
their actions and confidentiality is crucial,
and addressing patients' emotional
decisions, taking keeping sensitive information
and physical needs.
responsibility for their private and handled carefully.
practice and its impact on
patients.
4 Integrity 5 Professional Boundaries 6 Justice
Nurses maintain honesty Maintaining professional
Nurses provide fair and equal
and ethics, ensuring boundaries is crucial to
care to all patients, regardless
transparency and keeping relationships
of their background, beliefs, or
accountability in their with patients appropriate
circumstances.
practice. and centered on care.
Professional Boundaries & Delegation
Professional Boundaries

Maintaining professional boundaries is essential to keep

1 patient relationships appropriate and centered on care.

Professional Conduct
Nurses must maintain professional relationships with
2
patients & colleagues, avoiding personal
connections or behaviour that could compromise
ethics.
Delegation
Nurses can delegate tasks to other healthcare
3
professionals, but must ensure the task is
suitable and the person is qualified and
competent.
 Responsibility and Accountability in
Nursing Practice

Responsibility in Nursing:
means performing duties like patient assessment, medication
administration, and ensuring safety, all according to
professional standards and within the nurse's role.

Accountability in nursing:
means taking responsibility for actions and outcomes.
Nurses must justify their practice, reflect on their work,
and keep learning to improve care.
 Responsibility and Accountability in
Nursing Practice

Medication Administration

Nurses are accountable for accurate

medication administration, ensuring correct
dosages and routes for patient safety.

Patient Assessments

Nurses are responsible for comprehensive

patient assessments, identifying needs and
developing personalized care plans.
Professionalism and
Continuous Learning

Professional Development
Nurses focus on growing their knowledge, skills, and
expertise through continuous learning.

Lifelong Learning
Lifelong learning is essential for nurses to keep up
with healthcare advancements and provide the
best care.

Professional Organizations
Joining professional organizations gives nurses
access to resources, networking, and education,
supporting their growth.
2. Principles of the
Nursing
Profession: Legal &
Ethical
Aspects of Healthcare
Legal & Ethical Aspects of Healthcare

The legal and ethical aspects of healthcare are crucial in guiding the practices

of healthcare professionals, ensuring that patient care is delivered within the

boundaries of the law and ethical standards. These aspects play a significant

role in the relationship between patients and healthcare providers,

influencing decisions made in clinical practice.

Ethical principles focus on respect, fairness, and the promotion of good

while avoiding harm.

Legal principles in healthcare refer to the rules and regulations governing medical practice and patient

care, which are designed to protect both patients and healthcare providers. Key points regarding

the Legal & Ethical Aspects of Healthcare include:

1. Scope of Practice: 2. Nurse’s Legal Responsibilities

Nurses must know their state's rules on what tasks they Nurses are legally responsible for their care, must

can legally perform based on their education, training, follow medical orders, keep accurate records,

and license. ensure consent, and provide care based on

guidelines and their skills.

 3. Patient Rights

 Patients have the right to make informed decisions about their healthcare. This

includes the right to consent or refuse treatment, and the right to privacy and

confidentiality.

 Informed consent is a fundamental legal requirement, ensuring that patients

understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a proposed procedure or

treatment.
4. Negligence and Malpractice 5. Advocacy

Nurses can be held legally responsible for negligence Nurses are legally required to advocate for their

or malpractice if they fail to meet care standards, patients, ensuring they get proper care, safety, and

causing harm or injury to patients. well-being, even if it means challenging medical

decisions.
6. Professional Accountability 7. Documentation

Nurses are accountable for their actions and Accurate documentation is a legal requirement in

decisions, ensuring they stay skilled through nursing. It is crucial for defending care in legal cases,

continued education, stay informed about healthcare and errors can result in legal issues.

laws, and follow ethical standards.

8. End-of-Life Issues:
Legal considerations in end-of-life care involve decisions about the

withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, often guided by

advance directives, legal documents, or the wishes of the family.

Ethical Principles in Nursing Practice

Beneficence
1 Acting in the best interests of the patient, prioritizing their well-being.

Nonmaleficence
2
Avoiding harm to the patient, taking precautions to prevent negative consequences.

Autonomy
3
Respecting the patient's right to make their own decisions about healthcare.

Justice
4
Fair and equitable treatment for all patients.
Ethical Principles in Nursing Practice

Accountability

5 Taking responsibility for one's actions in patient care.

Fidelity
6
keeping promises to patients, being honest.

Veracity
7
It requires honesty, even when delivering difficult news.
Nursing Ethical Principles in Practice: Ethical principles in

nursing help guide nurses’ daily practice, even if a nurse isn’t directly aware of

it.
1. Accountability: If you mix up medications when drawing them up, you take
accountability by discarding them and pulling new vials rather than
administering them to the patient.

2. Justice: When you know a patient needs extra assistance because of a

disability or economic hardship, you go out of your way to
advocate for their needs to be met.

3. Nonmaleficence: Even if you know a patient, you perform the rights of

medication administration before giving them their evening medicines.
4. Autonomy: If a patient makes a care decision that goes against your judgment as a
clinician, you respect their decision because you value their autonomy.

5. Beneficence: When your patient is undergoing a care plan change that could have
negative side effects, you help them understand the pros and cons so they can
choose the treatment with the most benefit for them.

6. Fidelity: If you promise a patient that you won’t tell their family about a procedure
they’re having, you keep that.

7. Veracity: When you have bad news to share with a patient, you explain the situation
with truth and empathy.
 Documentation: Legal &
Ethical Implications

Accurate Records Confidentiality

Accurate documentation is Maintaining confidentiality is
crucial for legal protection, essential when documenting
patient safety, and ongoing patient information. Nurses
care. Nurses must record all should only share protected
important details, including health information (PHI) with
assessments, actions, and authorized individuals.
patient responses.
 Nursing Errors: Prevention &
Reporting

Error Prevention
Nurses must prevent errors by carefully assessing,
double-checking medications, and following safety
protocols. A culture of safety encourages reporting
mistakes without fear of punishment.

Error Reporting
Nurses must report errors quickly and accurately to allow
for investigation, learning, and corrective actions to
prevent future mistakes.
3. Principles of the Nursing
Profession: Understanding
People in Healthcare
Understanding People in

Healthcare
In healthcare, it's important for nurses and
professionals to Understand the various
physical, emotional, social, and cultural
factors that affect a patient's health and
well-being. . This comprehensive approach
enhances patient care, fosters therapeutic
relationships, and improves health
outcomes.
Overview of the Nursing Profession

Core Values Essential Roles

Nurses are committed to Nurses provide direct care,

compassion, advocacy, and patient- educate patients, advocate for

centered care. their needs, and collaborate with

other healthcare professionals.

The Role of the Professional Nurse: The
following concepts highlight how healthcare providers can
effectively understand and care for people within the
healthcare system:

1. Holistic Care 2. Assessment & Planning

Nurses address They collect data, perform

physical, emotional, assessments, and develop
and social aspects of personalized care plans.
patient care.

3. Clinical Judgment 4. Implementation of Care

Nurses apply critical Nurses administer

thinking to make treatments,
timely, informed medications, and assist
decisions about with daily care needs
patient care
5. Patient Advocacy 6. Coordination & Collaboration

Nurses act as patient advocates, Nurses facilitate

ensuring that their needs are communication and
met, rights are respected, and cooperation among
they receive the best possible healthcare team members to

care. provide comprehensive care.

7. Education 8. Supportive Care

Nurses educate patients and

Nurses provide emotional
their families about their
support to patients and
health conditions,
families.
treatments, and self-care
practices.
9. Quality & Safety
They monitor patient progress, address
complications, and contribute to quality
improvement.

10. Ethical & Legal Responsibilities

Nurses uphold ethical principles and adhere
to legal standards in patient care.
Understanding People in Healthcare

Effective Emotional
Communication
Cultural Sensitivity Intelligence
Nurses communicate Nurses respect cultural Nurses demonstrate
effectively with patients differences and adapt their emotional intelligence,
and their families, approach to meet diverse recognizing and
explaining procedures patient needs and responding to patient
and building trust. preferences. emotions and supporting
their well-being.
 Understanding Patients' Unique
Needs and Perspectives

1 Holistic View
Nurses consider the patient's physical, emotional, and
social well-being.

2 Cultural Sensitivity
Understanding diverse cultural perspectives enriches patient care.

3 Active Listening
Empathetic listening is vital to understanding patients' needs.
Effective Communication
and Collaboration

Patient-Centered Communication
Nurses communicate effectively with patients, ensuring
clear understanding and active participation in their care.

Interprofessional Collaboration
They work collaboratively with other healthcare
professionals, sharing information and coordinating care
seamlessly.

Teamwork
Nurses contribute to a positive and supportive team
environment, fostering trust and respect among
colleagues.
4. Principles of the
Nursing Profession:
Professional
Responsibilities
and Duties for
Nursing.
 Professional
Responsibilities and Duties
for Nursing
1 Provision of Safe and Competent Care: Nurses must be
competent in clinical skills, stay updated on best practices, and
adhere to established standards of care.

2 Patient Advocacy: Nurses protect patient rights, promote

informed decision-making, and ensure a safe and comfortable
environment.

3 Ethical and Legal Responsibilities: Nurses follow ethical

principles, respect patient confidentiality, and ensure informed
consent.

4 Professional Integrity and Accountability: Nurses must

demonstrate honesty, transparency, and maintain professional
boundaries while being accountable for their actions.
 Professional
Responsibilities and Duties
for Nursing
5 Collaboration and Communication: Effective teamwork and
communication with patients and the healthcare team are
critical to providing comprehensive care.

6 Cultural Competence and Sensitivity: Nurses provide culturally

sensitive care, recognizing and respecting diverse patient
backgrounds.

7 Leadership and Advocacy in Healthcare Systems: Nurses

advocate for healthcare policies and can take on leadership
roles to improve patient care.

8 Quality Improvement: Nurses contribute to quality

improvement initiatives, ensuring patient safety and optimal
care delivery.
These responsibilities ensure nurses deliver high-
quality care while upholding ethical and professional
standards, contributing significantly to patient
outcomes and the healthcare system.