THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR FILIPINO NURSES

 What are CODES OF ETHICS?

 These are systematic guides for developing ethical behavior

 They answer normative questions of what beliefs and values should be normally accepted 

Code of Good Governance

 Promulgated by the Professional Regulation Commission, July 23, 2003

 States that :
 The hallmark of all professionals is their willingness to accept a set of professional and
ethical principles which they follow in the conduct of their daily lives.
 The acceptance of these principles requires the maintenance of a standard of
conduct higher than what is required by law.
 This code is adopted by the Professional Regulation Commission and the 42
Professional Regulatory Boards to cover an environment of good governance in which all Filipino
professionals shall perform their duties. 

General Principles:

 Service to Others
 Integrity and Objectivity
 Professional Competence
 Solidarity and Teamwork
 Social and Civic Responsibility
 Global Competitiveness
 Equality of All Professions

After consultation on October 23, 2003 at iloilo City with the accredited professional organization
of registered nurses, the code was adopted under the Republic Act 9173 and promulgated by the Board
of Nursing under Resolution No. 220 Series of 2004 last July 14, 2004.

ARTICLE I

Preamble
 Sec. 1.Health is a fundamental right of every individual 

The Filipino registered nurse believes in the worth and dignity of each human being, recognizes the
primary responsibility to preserve health at all cost. The Filipino registered nurse believes in the worth
and dignity of each human being, recognizes the primary responsibility to preserve health at all cost.
Sec 2. To assume this responsibility, registered nurses have to gain knowledge and understanding of a
man’s cultural, social, spiritual, psychological, and ecological aspects of illness, utilizing the therapeutic
process. 

Cultural diversity and political and socio-economic status are inherent factors to effective nursing
care.

  Sec 3. The desire for the respect and confidence of clientele, colleagues, co-workers, and the members
of the community provides the incentive to attain and maintain the highest possible degree of ethical
conduct.

ARTICLE II

REGISTERED NURSES AND PEOPLE

 Sec.4 Ethical Principles

 Values, customs, and spiritual beliefs held by individuals shall be represented. 

Individual freedom to make rational and unconstrained decisions shall be respected. 

Personal information acquired in the process of giving nursing care shall be held in strict confidence.

 Sec 5.Guidelines to be observed

  REGISTERED NURSES MUST: 

 Consider the individuality and totality of patients when they administer care;
 Respect the spiritual beliefs and practices of patients regarding diet and treatment;
 Uphold the rights of individuals; and
 Take into consideration the culture and values of patients in providing nursing care. However,
inthe conflicts, their welfare and safety must take precedence. 

ARTICLE III

REGISTERED NURSES AND PRACTICE

 Sec. 6.Ethical Principles

1. Human life is inviolable.

2. Quality and excellence in the care of patients are the goals of nursing practice.

3. Accurate documentation of actions and outcomes of delivered care is the hallmark of nursing
accountability.
Sec.7. Guidelines to be observed 

Registered Nurses must:

a. Know the definition and scope of nursing practice which are in the provisions of  R.A. No. 9173,known
as the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 and Board Res. No. 425,Series of 2003, the Rules and Regulations
Implementing the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, (the IRR);

b. Be aware of their duties and responsibilities in the practice of their profession as defined in the
Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 and the IRR;

c. Acquire and develop the necessary competence in knowledge, skills and attitudes to effectively render
appropriate nursing services through varied learning situations;

d. If they are administrators, be responsible in providing favorable environment for the growth and
development of Registered Nurses in their charge;

e. Be cognizant that professional programs for specialty certification by the BON are accredited through
the Nursing Specialty Certification Council (NSCC);

f. See to it that quality nursing care and practice meet the optimum standard of safe nursing practice;

g. Ensure that patient’s records shall be available only if they are to be issued to those who are
professionally and directly involved in their care and when they are required by law.

h. Insure that modification of practice shall consider the principles of safe nursing practice;

I .If in position of authority in a work environment, be normally and legally responsible for devising a
system of minimizing occurrences of ineffective and unlawful nursing practice. 

Sec. 8.Ethical Principle

4. Registered Nurses are the advocates of the patients: they shall take appropriate steps to
safeguard their rights and privileges. 

Sec. 9.Guidelines to be observed 

 Registered Nurses must

a. Respect the Patient’s Bill of Rights in the delivery of nursing care;

b. Provide the patients or their families with all pertinent information except those may be
deemed harmful to their well-being and

c. Uphold the patients’ rights when conflict arises regarding management of their care. 
Sec. 10.Ethical Principle

5. Registered Nurses are aware that their actions have professional, ethical, moral and legal
dimensions. They strive to perform their work in the best interest of all concerned. 

Sec. 11.Guidelines to be observed 

 Registered Nurses must

a. Perform their professional duties in conformity with existing laws, rules, regulations, measures,
and generally accepted principle of moral conduct and proper decorum;

ARTICLE IV

REGISTERED NURSE AND CO-WORKERS

Sec.12.Ethical Principles

1. The Registered Nurse is in solidarity with other members of the healthcare team in working for the
patients’ best interest.
2. The Registered Nurse maintains collegial and collaborative working relationship with colleagues
and other health care providers. 

Sec.13.Guidelines to be observed 

 Registered Nurse must

a. Maintain their professional role/identity while working with other members of the health team;
b. Conform with the group activities as those of a health team should be based in acceptable,
ethico-legal standards;
c. Contribute to the professional  growth and development of other members of the health team;
d. Actively participate in professional organization;
e. Not act in any manner prejudicial to other professions;
f. Honor and safeguard the reputation and dignity of the members of nursing and other
profession; refrain from making unfair and unwarranted comments or criticisms on their
competence, conduct, and procedures; or not do anything that will bring discredit to a colleague
and to an member of other professions; and
g. Respect the rights of their co-workers. 
 ARTICLE V

REGISTERED NURSE, SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT

Sec.14.Ethical Principles

 1. The preservation of life, respect for human rights, and promotion of healthy environment
shall be a commitment of a Registered Nurse.

2. The establishment of linkages with the public in promoting local, national, and international
efforts to meet health and social needs of the people as a contributing member of society is a noble
concern of a Registered Nurse. 

Sec.15.Guidelines to be observed 

 Registered Nurse must 

a. Be conscious of their obligations as citizens and, as such, be involved in community concerns;

b. Be equipped with knowledge of health resources within  the community, and take active roles
in primary health care;

c. Actively participate in programs, projects, and activities that respond to the problems of
society;

d. Leads their lives in conformity with the principles of right conduct and proper decorum; and

e. Project an image that will uplift the nursing profession at all times

ARTICLE VI

REGISTERED NURSE AND THE PROFESSION

Sec.16.Ethical Principles

  1. Maintenance of loyalty to the nursing profession and preservation of its integrity are ideal.

2. Compliance with the by-laws of the accredited professional organization (PNA) and other
professional organizations of which Registered Nurse is a member is a lofty duty.

3. Commitment to continual learning and active participation in the development and growth
of the profession are commendable obligations.

4. Contribution to the improvement of the socio-economic conditions and  general welfare

of nurses through appropriate legislation is a practice and visionary mission. 
Sec.17.Guidelines to be observed 

 Registered Nurse must

A .Be member of the accredited professional organization which is the PNA.

B .Strictly adhere to the nursing standards;

C .Participate actively in the growth and development of the nursing profession;

d. Strive to secure equitable-economic and work conditions in nursing through appropriate

legislation and other means; and

e. Assert for the implementation of labor and work standards. 

ARTICLE VII

ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES, REPEALING CLAUSE AND EFFECTIVITY

Section 18.

  The Certificate of Registration of the Registered Nurse shall either be revoked or suspend for violation
of any provisions of this Code pursuant to Sec. 23 (f), Art. IV of R.A. No. 9173 and Sec.23 (f), rule III of
Board Res. No. 425,Series of 2003, the IRR