American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses

The following Code of Ethics for Nurses was developed by the ANA as a guide for carrying out nursing responsibilities in a manner consistent with quality in nursing care and the ethical obligations of the profession. This Code is being reproduced with the express written consent of the ANA.

Provision 1
The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person.

Provision 2
The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population.

Provision 3
The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient.

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.

Provision 5
The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to promote health and safety, preserve wholeness of character and integrity, maintain competence, and continue personal and professional growth.

Provision 6
The nurse, through individual and collective effort, establishes, maintains, and improves the ethical environment of the work setting and conditions of employment that are conducive to safe, quality healthcare.

Provision 7
The nurse, in all roles and settings, advances the profession through research and scholarly inquiry, professional standards development, and the generation of both nursing and health policy.

Provision 8
The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public to protect human rights, promote health diplomacy, and reduce health disparities.

Provision 9
The profession of nursing, collectively through its professional organizations, must articulate nursing values, maintain the integrity of the profession, and integrate principles of social justice into nursing and health policy.