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A proposal for a code of ethics for nurse practitioners.
Moya Peterson1, Robert Lyman Potter
1School of Nursing, and Family Medicine Department, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA. mpeterso@kumc.edu
Summary
This study proposes a new ethical code for nurse practitioners (NPs) by reviewing existing professional standards and ethical theories. The proposed code addresses the unique ethical demands of the NP role, enhancing professional practice.
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Nursing Ethics
- Professional Ethics
Background:
- Nurse practitioners (NPs) face unique ethical challenges due to their expanded scope of practice.
- Existing ethical codes from nursing and medicine may not fully encompass the specific ethical demands of NPs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review established healthcare professional codes and NP standards of practice.
- To propose a novel ethical code specifically for nurse practitioners.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of deontological, teleological, and areteological ethical themes.
- Review of Potter's ethical triangle.
- Examination of American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) standards.
- Evaluation of American Nurses Association (ANA) and American Medical Association (AMA) codes of ethics.
Main Results:
- A proposed code of ethics for NPs has been developed.
- The proposed code integrates fundamental ethical principles and existing professional guidelines.
- Consideration was given to AANP standards and ANA/AMA codes.
Conclusions:
- The proposed ethical code aims to broaden the perspective on the role of ethics in NP professional lives.
- It addresses ethical concerns unique to the NP role, distinct from those in general nursing or medicine.
- This initiative seeks to provide a more comprehensive ethical framework for NPs.
Keywords:
Bioethics and Professional Ethics