The Effect of the Code of Ethics on the Practice of Midwifery Worldwide many mothers die yearly due to pregnancy and childbirth complications. Many of these deaths occur due to the lack of educated midwives and doctors in countries filled with poverty. In the United States The Code of Ethics for the Practice of Midwifery insures medical and professional ethic barriers to insure the safety and understanding of pregnant patients and their families. However, ethical codes are not guaranteed to be followed, and cannot always give the midwives exactly what they need in case of a dilemma; but they are guidelines. Therefore, bringing the concentration on the role of a midwife, the values a midwife must have, and a midwife's philosophy of care, the Code of Ethics sets boundaries and principals a midwife must follow. The practice of midwifery is important in the birth of the approaching future and the values of birth. The Code of Ethics set by the American College of Nurse Midwives is an important aspect in determining an affective and relate-able midwife for the process of home-birth. The practice of Midwifery is an art unattainable without respect and insight. Midwives in addition , care for the baby occasionally after birth during early development. Whereas, they are with the patient throughout the whole pregnancy and gives them skills to maintain a healthy birth. Under the Midwives Model of Care, midwives act as a mental, emotional, and a physical cheer team guiding the players (which are the patients) along the field of birth ( Foster 11). The Midwives Model of Care focuses on women and the decisions they make during their pregnancy. ... ... middle of paper ... ... Singletary 4 HIPAA act insuring confidentiality. The individuals representing the profession of midwifery must be responsible in their obligation in professional ethics and medical ethics as well before, after, and during the care of the mother and baby. The Code of Ethics has had a lasting effect on an affective and relate-able midwife. It sets the tone and map out for the Practice of Midwifery. It is an inquiry of the dos and do nots in lives of many midwives today. The Code of Ethics acts as a blueprint for midwives, and a helpful guide in their practice. If followed correctly the ethical code is what distinguishes an affective and relate-able midwife from a slouchy midwife. Focusing on the obligations, values and professional ethics between midwife and patient the Code of Ethics has been a resourceful guide to success in the Practice of Midwifery.
A code of ethics provides a standard by which nurses conduct themselves and their practice, observing ethical obligations of the profession and providing quality care. To achieve its purpose, a code of ethics must be understood, internalized, and used by nurses in all aspects of their work” (Aliakvari, 2015, p. 494).
... code: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives. London: Nursing and Midwifery Council. Pp. 2-3
Ethical issues arise daily in the healthcare world. The manor in which issues are addressed vary. “There are, it might be said, as many histories of nursing ethics as there are individual ethicists and professional or cultural contexts” (Guildford 2010, p.1). “A code of ethics is a fundamental document for any profession. It provides a social contract with the society served, as well as ethical and legal guidance to all members of the profession” (Lachman 2009, p.55). According to Lachman, since the original ANA Code from 1950, the significance of service to others has been consistent. Two changes in the code have occurred since the original. First, not only the patient is being treated, but the family and community where they live are also considered.
NMC, 2010. The code: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives. [online] Available at: [Accessed 13 November 2013]
...Council, M., & Federation, A. N. (2008). Codes of Professional Conduct & Ethics for Nurses & Midwives, 2008: Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council.
To be involved in the nursing profession, you must abide by the Code of Ethics provided for nurses. Nurses must hold the good of the patient as its most important value; this is the ultimate goal in the nursing profession. They must treat each patient as an individual, care for them with respe...
NMC (2008) Code of Professional Conduct: Standards for Conduct, Performance and Ethics, Nursing and Midwifery Council.
NMC, 2008. The code: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives. [online] Available at: [Accessed 13 November 2013].
Pairman,S., Tracy, S., Thorogood, C., & Pincombe, J. (2013). Theoretical frameworks for midwifery practice. Midwifery: Preparation for practice.(2nd ed, pp. 313-336). Chatswood, N.S.W. : Elsevier Australia
As a nurse, we serve a society which is very culturally diverse. We provide care to many individuals whom have their own unique set of ethics, values, morals, and beliefs by which may be very different from our own. Because of our professional role, we must use lifelong learning as a tool to broaden our views, increase our knowledge, and understand the influences which affect it. To make this possible, we have to continually educate ourselves about the nursing laws, professional standards, and code of ethics all of which we are committed to.
“All over the world there exists in every society a small group of women who feel themselves strongly attracted to give care to other women during pregnancy and childbirth. Failure to make use of this group of highly motivated people is regrettable and a sin against the principle of subsidiarity.”
NSNA (2003). Code of ethics for nursing students Part I: Code of professional conduct. Retrieved June26, 2011, from: http//www.nsnsa.orgpdf/pubs_CodeofProfessionalConduct.pdf
Nursing and midwifery council (2008) The Code: standard of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives. London: Nursing and Midwifery council
The four fundamental nursing responsibilities of promoting health, preventing illness, optimizing health and alleviating the ill are represented in the code of ethics. (Arnold & Boggs, 2016) One can say that the code of ethics are rules that a nurse needs to follow in order to effectively communicate and protect the patients. The American Nurse Association provided the code of ethics to guide nurses to ensure that patient’s care, safety, rights and health are well cared for and well managed. Models like Utilitarian, deontological, and the human rights-based all contribute in answering dilemmas that can arise with a patient. Thus, explaining what some of the code of ethics are, and how the code of ethics influence our responsibilities as a nurse will impact the overall care of the
Integrity, respect for persons, justice, non-maleficence, and responsibility are all identified within the code, however compassion is not directly stated but is implied. To show compassion for others during suffering is an almost automatic response in nursing. When nurses decide to act either beneficently or non-maleficently they are doing a service to those being cared for. When dealing with human lives moral value becomes especially important, and is not situationally dependent. Ethical neutrality does not have a place in professional ethics, and an obligation to respect the moral values is necessary. The code deals with specific issues related to the nursing profession, and ensures standards are upheld. Creation of code of ethics within a profession limits misconduct, create safeguards, promote trust for the profession within society, and preserves the integrity of the profession (Soskolne, 1984) It is important for me to emphasize the difference between the nurse’s code of ethics and the Hippocratic Oath. The nurses ethical code is tailored toward the care provided to the patient, and not the involved science and diagnostic aspect of the