Related Experiment Videos
Professional codes in a changing nursing context: literature review
Tom Meulenbergs1, Ellen Verpeet, Paul Schotsmans
1Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. tom.muelenbergs@med.kuleuven.ac.be
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|April 7, 2004
Summary
Nursing professional codes require revaluation to meet evolving ethical demands in healthcare. This study explores their meaning in today's multidisciplinary and legally complex nursing environment.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Ethics
- Professional Codes
- Healthcare Policy
Background:
- Historical significance of professional codes in nursing's professionalization.
- Current shifts in the nursing profession's context.
- Need to re-evaluate codes in contemporary practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- Explore the evolving meaning of professional codes in nursing.
- Analyze the impact of current healthcare trends on nursing codes.
- Investigate the necessity of adapting professional codes.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review.
- Searched electronic databases: PubMed and The Philosopher's Index.
- Keywords included: nursing codes, professional codes in nursing, ethics codes, professional ethics.
Main Results:
- Nursing context is changing due to multidisciplinary nature, economic discourse, and legal frameworks.
- Professional codes must adapt to increasing ethical demands.
- Existing codes may not fully address current ethical challenges.
Conclusions:
- Ethicization of nursing professional codes is desirable.
- Revaluation of the moral objectives within nursing codes is necessary.
- Codes must align with the contemporary, complex healthcare landscape.
Keywords:
Bioethics and Professional Ethics