The nurse’s role in ethics and human rights
Nurses find themselves confronting issues of professional ethics and human rights in the everyday aspects of their profession, as ethics and human rights are a critical and fundamental function of a nurse’s role. In fact, the American Nurses Association (ANA) cites The Code of Ethics as one means by which it “champions professional nursing excellence.” The Code of Ethics Project, initiated in 1995, consisted of a great deal of work, with consistent input from nurses, individuals and groups, until, in 2001, the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements was approved and adopted.
ANA statement on ethics and human rights
The ANA statement on ethics and human rights sets the very foundation and basis for all other position statements in the field of nursing. It is critical, therefore, that nurses consider the seriousness of the statement and always strive to protect one’s human rights as it relates to health care. According to the ANA (2001, p. 7), “Nurses take into account the needs and values of all persons in all professional relationships." While emphasizing a human-rights-based approach to nursing, Amnesty International recognizes that nurses may be faced with human rights issues that are complex and may result in nurses facing ethical and human rights challenges while practicing their chosen profession. In fact, the ANA has taken some very strong stands on certain ethical and human rights issues that nurses may be faced with while performing their nursing duties.
ANA position statements on ethics and human rights
In the article “Ethics and Human Rights,” the ANA is very explicit as to the position statements on certain issues. For instance, regarding capital punishment, the ANA opposes nurse participation in any way in executions and views it as being “contrary to the fundamental goals and ethical traditions of the nursing profession.” The ANA takes a stand on medical marijuana, supporting a patient’s safe access to therapeutic marijuana. Pain management and control of dying patients, the importance of following do not resuscitate (DNR) orders and reduction of patient restraint are a few of the other stands discussed. The importance of nurses following the ANA's stands on the nurse’s role in ethics and human rights is reflected in the ANA's stand that the Code for Nurses is non-negotiable. Therefore, nurses and prospective nurses would do well to not only be completely educated and knowledgeable of the Code for Nurses, but to also uphold and adhere to that code at all times. Amnesty International believes that nurses should work in an environment where “human rights are institutionalized and a fundamental part of the value system.”
Risking human rights violations
The role of the nurse in ethics and human rights may be challenged at some point in the nurse’s career. The nurse must be prepared to face such challenges and take appropriate action should the nurse be witness to, or asked to participate in, any type of ethical or human rights violations. Amnesty International recommends that nurses reject any and all participation in human rights abuses and that they place themselves in the role of whistle-blower. Amnesty International also recommends that nursing associations and individual nurses increase their efforts to protect human rights, that professional ethics should not only be strengthened but also promoted among nurses and nursing associations and that human rights training should be more readily and more often available throughout a nurse’s career. Amnesty International also suggests nurses never give in to pressure to collaborate with nor collude with any acts of ethical or human rights violations in the nurse’s presence nor with their knowledge.
Suggestions for educators
Nurses and nursing students may wish to view not only the Code of Ethics for their own country, but the Code of Ethics for nurses in other countries (or the International Code of Ethics for nurses, should the nurse be considering working abroad). The Center for Nursing Advocacy gives links to the Code of Ethics for Nurses for the United States, as well as for several other countries, and the International Code. When teaching ethics and human rights, educators should give these crucial aspects of nursing sufficient place in nursing curriculum and training. Nursing educators and associations should ensure that nurses understand that, as they are often the first contact for the patient, they can find themselves witness to the horrific effects of human rights violations and can advocate to ensure that the patient’s human rights are met and not violated. Nursing associations and educators should also make sure that nurses are kept abreast of developments in the area of ethics and human rights and appropriate literature and additional training, where needed, is available to nurses on a timely basis. With proper education, training, resources and advocacy, nurses will properly understand and strive to always uphold their role in ethics and human rights.
