2002 CNA Code of Ethics: some recommendations.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Ethics
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) revised its Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses in 2002.
• The revision aimed to reflect contemporary nursing practice, healthcare, and societal changes.
• However, significant ethical issues within the previous code remained unaddressed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically examine three persistent problematic aspects of the 2002 CNA Code of Ethics.
• To discuss the definitions of health and well-being, the concept of respect, and the notion of justice.
• To propose recommendations for future revisions of the nursing code of ethics.

Main Methods:

• Critical analysis of the 2002 Canadian Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses.
• Examination of specific sections related to health and well-being, respect, and justice.
• Discussion of the implications of these ethical constructs in contemporary nursing practice.

Main Results:

• The 2002 CNA Code of Ethics retained substantive issues from the 1997 version.
• Problematic definitions of health, respect, and justice persist in the updated code.
• These unresolved aspects may not adequately guide nurses in current practice settings.

Conclusions:

• The 2002 CNA Code of Ethics requires more substantial revisions to address fundamental ethical concerns.
• Nurse leaders should proactively discuss these issues to inform the next code revision in 2007.
• Addressing these core ethical concepts is crucial for advancing nursing practice and patient care in Canada.