Enhancing ethical thinking: the role of a national nurses' association

Values are imbedded in our cultural background and environment. Yet each generation must rethink and reshape ethics in relation to the values of its own time. This is particularly true for healthcare professionals. National nurses' associations owe it to their members to keep them informed about ethical issues and to provide guidance. To be released by ICN at end-April, "Ethics in Nursing Practice" gives a detailed guide to ethical decision making (see advertisement on inside back cover). Below, how Swiss nurses are tackling the ethical issues.