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ICN nursing code: an agreement on ethical concepts

It i s consoling to think that while there i s conflict and disagreement in the world be- tween governments, nurses from 73 coun- tries can agree on ethical concepts for nursing. This speaks highly for nurses and nursing and of the leadership of the Inter- national Council of Nurses (ICN), a federa- tion of national nurses associations.

The revised “Code for Nurses-Ethical Concepts Applied to Nursing” was one of the major documents approved at the 1973 ICN meeting in Mexico City. The new code was written by a subcommittee of the pro- fessional services committee. A draft, pre- pared in 1971, was sent to all ICN member associations for their comments and re- actions and an analysis of their replies was considered in redrafting the code. When presented to the Council of National Repre- sentatives (CNR) in Mexico City, it was ap- proved with only one dissenting vote.

ICN was founded in 1899 “to provide a medium through which national nurses as- sociations may share their common interests working together to develop the contribution of nursing to the promotion of the health

of people and the care of the sick.”’ Its objectives are:

1) To assist national associations to im- prove the standards of nursing and the competence of nurses

2) To promote the development of strong national nurses associations

3) To serve as the authoritative voice for nurses and nursing internationally

4) To assist national associations to im- prove the status of nurses2

The ICN meets every four years and cur- rently has 80 members. Six new member nations were taken into membership with the ICN at the closing session in 1973. ICN sets no restrictions on nationality, race, creed, color, politics, sex, or social status. A country may have only one nursing as- sociation in membership with the Council.

The governing body of the ICN is the CNR which is composed of the presidents of the national associations in membership. The CNR meets every two years. Both ICN and CNR meetings rotate to different areas of the globe.

As Americans we should take special in- terest in the ICN during this quadrennium, 1973-1 977. Dorothy Cornelius, past presi- dent of the American Nurses’ Association and present executive director of the Ohio

AORN Journal, July 1974, Vol 20, No 1 25

Code for nurses - ethical concepts applied to nursing

The fundamental responsibility of the nurse is fourfold: to promote health, to prevent illness, to restore health and to alleviate suffering.

The need for nursing is universal. Inherent in nursing is respect for life, dignity and rights of man. It is unre- stricted by considerations of nation- ality, race, creed, colour, age, sex, politics or social status.

Nurses render health services to the individual, the family and the com- munity and coordinate their services with those of related groups.

Nurses and People

The nurse’s primary responsibility is to those people who require nursing care.

The nurse, in providing care, pro- motes an environment in which the values, customs and spiritual beliefs of the individual are respected.

The nurse holds in confidence personal information and uses judge- ment in sharing this information.

Nurses and Practice

The nurse carries personal responsi- bility for nursing practice and for maintaining competence by continual learning.

The nurse maintains the highest standards of nursing care possible within the reality of a specific situation.

Copyright ICN. Reprinted with per- mission.

The nurse uses judgement in rela- tion to individual competence when accepting and delegating responsibil- ities.

The nurse when acting in a profes- sional capacity should at all times maintain standards of personal con- duct which reflect credit upon the profession.

Nurses and Society

The nurse shares with other citizens the responsibility for initiating and supporting action to meet the health and social needs of the public.

Nurses and Co-Workers

The nurse sustains a cooperative re- lationship with co-workers in nursing and other fields.

The nurse takes appropriate action to safeguard the individual when his care is endangered by a co-worker or any other person.

Nurses and fhe Profession

The nurse plays the major role in determining and implementing desir- able standards of nursing practice and nursing education.

The nurse is active in developing a core of professional knowledge.

The nurse, acting through the pro- fessional organization, participates in establishing and maintaining equitable social and economic working condi- tions in nursing.

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Nurses Association, i s president. This i s the highest position in world nursing. Other Americans serving are Hildegard E Peplau, member of the Board of Directors, and Jessie M Scott, member of the professional services committee.

The next ICN meeting is scheduled to be held in Japan in 1977. Attendance is open to any nurse who is a member of her na- tional nurses association.

Helen Wells, RN, MNA Assistant direcfor of education

Nores I. " I C N 1973," Nursing Ouflook, 21 (August

1973) 509.

2 . Ibid.

References

"The ICN Meets in Mexico City," Americon Journal of Nursing, 73 (August 1973) 1344.

"Code for Nurses-Ethical Concepts Applied to Nursing," International Nursing Review, 20 (November-December 1973) 166.

San Jose chapter airs AORN role

The Son Jose chapter of AORN has been given free radio time by two Son Jose, Calif, stations to present information on AORN and the role of the operating room nurse.

On April 28 a two-hour Sunday night program from 10 pm to midnight on Radio station KLOK featured a panel discussion on AORN, the role of OR nurses in health care, and requirements for educational preparation. Participants were Mrs Bea Lee, RN, chapter president and OR/PAR coordinator at Palo Alto Veterans Hospital; Mrs Barbara Minckley, RN, DNSc, clinical

professor at the University of California and DeAnza College and nurse researcher at Polo Alto VA Hospital; and Inez Tenzer, chapter publicity chairman and OR/PAR/CSR supervisor at OConnor Hospital, Son Jose. Don Fitzpatrick was the moderator.

Radio station KSJO taped a brief presentation by Mrs lee on the role of operating room nurses to be aired during Hospital Week.

Madison chapter compiles hand book

A handbook compiled by the Madison (Wis) Area Chapter AORN has been sent to all area hospitals for ready reference.

Included in the publication are the officers and members of the chapter, Headquarters Board members and business address, maps showing the locations of area hospitals, and the chapter bylaws.

Congress souvenir coins available

Souvenir coins, or "doubloons," for the 21st AORN Congress in New Orleans are now available to Congress registrants. They may be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped ($.lo) envelope to Jo Wagner, co-chairman, 739 Ave G, Marrero, La 70072.

28 AORN Journal, July 1974, Vol 20, No 1