Ethical Standards for Nurses

The Essence of Nursing

The essence of nursing is care for the patient and respect for his/her life and personal safety according to law. The role of the nurse is to improve health and the patient's condition and to ease suffering.

The nurse works with the patient to meet his/her physical, mental, social and religious needs.

The nurse cares for the patient with respect for the individual without discrimination regarding race, colour, religion, age, sexuality, political beliefs, social status, health problems or any other form of prejudice.


The Nurse and Patient

Article 1
Above all else, nurse has duties to those who require nursing. The basic duty is to respect the welfare of the patient and his/her personal safety according to law.

Article 2
The nurse is the patient's advocate and ensures that his/her rights are not violated. The nurse is responsible for the patient's well-being regardless of the nurse's place of work.

Article 3
The nurse guards the patient's right to privacy by ensuring confidentiality and discretion. Should the nurse be required to bear witness in a court of law regarding the patient's private affairs, the nurse is required to seek professional advice.

Article 4
The nurse shall consult with the patient and respect his/her right to make decisions regarding his/her own treatment. The nurse shall ensure that the patient or his guardian/s are able to make well-informed decisions.

Article 5
The nurse shall bring to the patient's attention any decisions by the government or other authority that could be contrary to his/her interests. If the health or safety of the patient is threatened due to unprofessional or illegal acts by colleagues, the nurse is required to inform the appropriate authorities.


The Nursing Profession

Article 6
The nurse shall maintain his/her knowledge and skills and is legally and
professionally responsible in the execution of his/her employment. The
nurse shall concern himself/herself with the development of knowledge
regarding nursing and build his/her job upon research results for the
benefit of the patient.

Article 7
The nurse shall ensure that he/she is a credit to the nursing profession in the execution of his/her duties. The nurse shall avoid allowing his/her title as nurse to be used for advertising purposes and that he/she shall not accept perquisites from patients.


Nurses and Colleagues

Article 8
The nurse shall consult with colleagues bearing the interests of the patient in mind. The nurse shall not take on assignments which he/she is unable to perform but refer them to a more able party.

Article 9
The nurse shall ensure a healthy and honest relationship with colleagues and show professional respect in dealings with other nurses, both in and out of the workplace.

Article 10
The nurse shall pass on professional knowledge and experience to nursing students and other colleagues.

Nursing and the Community

Article 11
The nurse shall initiate and actively participate in formulating policies designed to improve the health service.

Article 12
The nurse shall work in accordance with the ethical standards of the profession and present them in the community. Any person who has reason to believe that a nurse has broken these rules may ask for discussion in the Ethics and Reconciliation Committee of the Icelandic Nurses' Association.

Innihald endurskoðað 21.apríl 2009