Code of conduct for Nurses – Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
Foreword
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) undertakes functions as set by the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (the National Law), as in force in each state and territory. The NMBA regulates the practice of nursing and midwifery in Australia, and one of its key roles is to protect the public. The NMBA does this by developing standards, codes and guidelines that together establish the requirements for the professional and safe practice of nurses and midwives in Australia.
In developing the Code of conduct for nurses, and consistent with its commitment to evidence-based structures, systems and processes, the NMBA carried out a comprehensive review that was informed by research and by the profession. The research included an international and national literature review of other codes and similar publications, a comparative analysis of the predecessor code of conduct to other codes and an analysis of notifications (complaints) made about the conduct and behavior of nurses. Input was extensively sought in the form of focus groups, workshops, an expert working group and other consultation strategies which included the profession, the public and professional organizations.
The Code of conduct for nurses (the code) sets out the legal requirements, professional behavior and conduct expectations for nurses in all practice settings, in Australia. The code is written in recognition that nursing practice is not restricted to the provision of direct clinical care. Nursing practice settings extend to working in a non-clinical relationship with clients, working in management, leadership, governance, administration, education, research, advisory, regulatory, policy development roles or other roles that impact on safe, effective delivery of services in the profession and/or use of the nurse’s professional skills.
The code is supported by the NMBA Standards for practice and, with the other NMBA standards, codes and guidelines, underpins the requirements and delivery of safe, kind and compassionate nursing practice.
Introduction
The Code of conduct for nurses sets out the legal requirements, professional behavior and conduct expectations for all nurses, in all practice settings, in Australia. It describes the principles of professional behavior that guide safe practice, and clearly outlines the conduct expected of nurses by their colleagues and the broader community.
Individual nurses have their own personal beliefs and values. However, the code outlines specific standards which all nurses are expected to adopt in their practice. The code also gives students of nursing an appreciation of the conduct and behaviors expected of nurses. Nurses have a professional responsibility to understand and abide by the code. In practice, nurses also have a duty to make the interests of people their first concern, and to practice safely and effectively.
The code is consistent with the National Law. It includes seven principles of conduct, grouped into domains, each with an explanatory value statement. Each value statement is accompanied by practical guidance to demonstrate how to apply it in practice. Underpinning the code is the expectation that nurses will exercise their professional judgement to deliver the best possible outcomes in practice.
This code applies to all nurses
The principles of the code apply to all types of nursing practice in all contexts. This includes any work where a nurse uses nursing skills and knowledge, whether paid or unpaid, clinical or non-clinical. This includes work in the areas of clinical care, clinical leadership, clinical governance responsibilities, education, research, administration, management, advisory roles, regulation or policy development. The code also applies to all settings where a nurse may engage in these activities, including face-to-face, publications, or via online or electronic means.
Using the code of conduct
The code will be used:
- to support individual nurses in the delivery of safe practice and fulfilling their professional roles
- as a guide for the public and consumers of health services about the standard of conduct and behavior they should expect from nurses
- to help the NMBA protect the public, in setting and maintaining the standards set out in the code and to ensure safe and effective nursing practice
- when evaluating the professional conduct of nurses. If professional conduct varies significantly from the values outlined in the code, nurses should be prepared to explain and justify their decisions and actions. Serious or repeated failure to abide by this code may have consequences for nurses’ registration and may be considered as unsatisfactory professional performance, unprofessional conduct or professional misconduct[1], and
- as a resource for activities which aim to enhance the culture of professionalism in the Australian health system. These include use, for example, in administration and policy development by health services and other institutions; in nursing education, in management and for the orientation, induction and supervision of nurses and students.
The code is not a substitute for requirements outlined in the National Law, other relevant legislation, or case law. Where there is any actual or perceived conflict between the code and any law, the law takes precedence. Nurses also need to understand and comply with all other NMBA standards, codes and guidelines.
Code of conduct for nurses: domains, principles and values
These domains, principles and values set out legal requirements, professional behavior and conduct expectations for all nurses. The principles apply to all areas of practice, with an understanding that nurses will exercise professional judgement in applying them, with the goal of delivering the best possible outcomes.
(To note: Person or people is used to refer to those individuals who have entered into a therapeutic and/or professional relationship with a nurse. See the glossary for further detail).
Domain: Practice legally
Nurses respect and adhere to their professional obligations under the National Law, and abide by relevant laws.
Domain: Practice safely, effectively and collaboratively
Nurses provide safe, person-centered and evidence-based practice for the health and wellbeing of people and, in partnership with the person, promote shared decision-making and care delivery between the person, nominated partners, family, friends and health professionals.
Cultural practice and respectful relationships
Nurses engage with people as individuals in a culturally safe and respectful way, foster open and honest professional relationships, and adhere to their obligations about privacy and confidentiality.
Domain: Act with professional integrity
Nurses embody integrity, honesty, respect and compassion.
Teaching, supervising and assessing
Nurses commit to teaching, supervising and assessing students and other nurses, in order to develop the nursing workforce across all contexts of practice.
Research in health
Nurses recognise the vital role of research to inform quality healthcare and policy development, conduct research ethically and support the decision-making of people who participate in research.
Domain: Promote health and wellbeing
Nurses promote health and wellbeing for people and their families, colleagues, the broader community and themselves and in a way that addresses health inequality.
