Codes of Conduct - A New Era for Nursing and Midwifery in Australia

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has developed and approved the new Code of Conduct for Nurses and Code of Conduct for Midwives which applies from 1 March 2018. The primary role of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), is to protect the public by ensuring only those who are suitably qualified and trained to practise in a competent and ethical manner are registered. One mechanism by which this objective is achieved is the registration of practitioners who are required not only to meet the mandatory registration standards but also conduct their practice in accordance with the NMBA's standards, codes and guidelines. The language of these new codes clearly articulates the mandatory obligations imposed on nurses and midwives to establish and maintain specified standards of conduct that ensure safe practice. It is therefore important for nurses and midwives not only to read the codes, but incorporate the terms contained therein meaningfully into their practice.