The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates (2024)

FAQs

What is the nursing and midwifery Code of Practice? ›

The Code sets out common standards of conduct and behaviour for those on our register. This provides a clear, consistent and positive message to patients, service users and colleagues about what they can expect of those who provide nursing or midwifery care.

1.8 Nurses demonstrate professional values such as respect, justice, responsiveness, caring, compassion, empathy, trustworthiness and integrity. They support and respect the dignity and universal rights of all people, including patients, colleagues and families.

It's structured around four themes – prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety and promote professionalism and trust. Each section contains a series of statements that taken together signify what good nursing and midwifery practice looks like.

The 6 Cs – care, compassion, courage, communication, commitment, competence - are a central part of 'Compassion in Practice', which was first established by NHS England Chief Nursing Officer, Jane Cummings, in December 2017.

They describe the principles of professional behaviour that guide safe practice and outline specific standards which all nurses and midwives are expected to adopt in their practice.

The 7 ethical principles the Nursing Code of Ethics is based upon include beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, accountability, autonomy, fidelity, and veracity.

Serve the public, employees, employers, clients, the Society, and the profession, with fidelity, honesty, and impartiality. Treat others with respect, civility, and without discrimination or harassment in all professional relationships.

Although there are many ethical principles that guide nursing practice, foundational ethical principles include respect for autonomy (self-determination), beneficence (do good), nonmaleficence (do no harm), justice (fairness), fidelity (keep promises), and veracity (tell the truth).

Provision 4

The nurse has authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice; makes decisions; and takes action consistent with the obligation to promote health and to provide optimal care.

The ICM International Code of Ethics for Midwives (1993) is a moral guide for the midwife in education, practice and research. This code upholds the rights and needs of women, seeks justice for all people and promotes fair access to needed health care services.

What is the NMC code practice effectively? ›

Practise effectively

You communicate effectively, keeping clear and accurate records and sharing skills, knowledge and experience where appropriate. You reflect and act on any feedback you receive to improve your practice.

All health professionals' codes of practice are based on the four principles of biomedical ethics: respect for autonomy (the right to choose); beneficence (do good); non-maleficence (do no harm); and justice (fairness and equality) (Beauchamp and Childress, 2001).

Standards of Practice The Standards of Practice describe a competent level of nursing care as demonstrated by the critical thinking model known as the nursing process. The nursing process includes the components of assessment, diagnosis, out- comes identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

The four elements of the NMC Code are: Prioritise people; Practise effectively; Preserve safety; Promote professionalism and trust. The Code advises that people should be treated as individuals and their dignity upheld.

The Code sets out a set of key principles that should underlie the practice of all good nurses and midwives, and remind them of their professional responsibilities.

1 You must treat people as individuals and respect their dignity. 2 You must not discriminate in any way against those in your care. 3 You must treat people kindly and considerately. 4 You must act as an advocate for those in your care, helping them to access relevant health and social care, information and support.

Our purpose is to: “Promote and uphold the highest professional standards in nursing and midwifery to protect the public and inspire confidence in the professions.”

The Code of Ethics of the American College of Nurse Midwives describes moral obligations that guide the behaviors of midwives and individuals representing the profession of midwifery, including members of the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM).

The Nursing and Midwifery Professional Practice Model for SALHN, ensures that as a collective we all understand and achieve the standards of practice that are expected with each and every care interaction. Our PPM identifies the key elements that underpin our commitment: “We care, every time, every occasion, always”.