ANA Code of Ethics

Ethics is an integral part of the foundation of nursing (ANA, 2011). Provision three in the ANA code of Ethics states that each nurse must promote, advocate for, and strive to protect the health and safety of each patient cared for (ANA, 2011). Provision three includes the patient’s right to privacy, confidentiality, and protection. It is the nurse’s responsibility to protect the patient’s rights, maintain high standards of care, and address impaired practice.
Each nurse has a duty to protect the patient as well as their right to privacy and confidentiality (ANA, 2011). Each nurse should advocate for an environment that provides sufficient physical activity, including privacy for discussions of a personal nature (ANA, 2011). It is a nurse’s responsibility to maintain confidentiality of all patient information. If this standard is not maintained, the patient’s well- being could be jeopardized. The patient’s rights, well-being, and safety should be the primary factors concerning information received orally, written, and electronically (ANA, 2011). It is the nurse’s responsibility to be...