Republic of the Philippines

Professional Regulation Commission

Manila
BOARD OF NURSING
Board Resolution No. 220
Series of 2004
PROMULGATION OF THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR REGISTERED NURSES
WHEREAS, the Board of Nursing has the power to promulgate a Code of Ethics for
Registered Nurses in coordination and consultation with the accredited professional
organization (Sec. !(g"! #rt. $$$ of R.#. No.%&'! (nown as the )*hilippine Nursing #ct
of 2002"+
WHEREAS, in the formulation of the code of Ethics for Registered Nurses! the Code of
,ood ,o-ernance for the *rofessions in the *hilippines was utilized as the principal .asis
therefore/ #ll the principles under the said Code were adopted and integrated into the
Code of Ethics as the0 appl0 to the Nursing *rofession+
WHEREAS, the promulgation of the said Code as a set of guidelines! regulations at
measures shall .e su.1ect to appro-al .0 the Commission (Sec. #rt. $$ of R.#. No.
%&'"+ and
WHEREAS, the .oard ! after consultation on 2cto.er 2'! 200' at $lo$lo cit0 with the
accredited professional organization of the registered nurses! in the *hilippine Nurses
#ssociation! $nc (*N#"! and other affiliate organizations of Registered Nurses! 3ecided
to adopt a new Code of Ethics under the afore4mentioned new 5aw+
NOW, THEREFORE, the .oard here.0 resol-ed! as it now resol-es! to promulgate the
hereunder Code of Ethics for registered Nurses/
ARTICLE I
PREAMBLE
SECTION 1.
6ealth is fundamental right of e-er0 indi-idual. 7he 8ilipino registered Nurse!
.elie-ing in the worth and dignit0 of each human .eing! recognizes the primar0
responsi.ilit0 to preser-e health at all cost. 7his responsi.ilit0 encompasses promotion of
health! pre-ention of illness! alle-iation of suffering! and restoration of health. 6owe-er!
when the foregoing are not possi.le! assistance towards a peaceful death shall .e his9her
o.ligation.
SECTION 2
7o assume this responsi.ilit0, registered nurses ha-e to gain (nowledge and
understanding of man:s cultural! social! spiritual! ph0siological! ps0chological! and
ecological aspects of illness! utilizing the therapeutic process. Cultural di-ersit0 and
political and socio4economic status are inherit factors to effecti-e nursing care.
SECTION 3
7he desire for the respect and confidence of clientele! colleagues! co4wor(ers! and
the mem.ers of the communit0 pro-ides the incenti-e to attain and maintain the highest
possi.le degree of ethical conduct.
ARTICLE II
REGISTERED NURSES AND PEOPLE
SECTION 4.
Ethica P!i"ci#$%
%. ;alues customs! and spiritual .eliefs held .0 indi-iduals shall .e respected.
2. $ndi-idual freedom to ma(e rational and unconstrained decisions shall .e
respected.
'. *ersonal information ac<uired in the process of gi-ing nursing care shall .e
held in strict confidence.
SECTION &.
G'i($i"$% t) *$ )*%$!+$(,
REGISTERED N'!%$% -'%t
a. consider the indi-idualit0 and totalit0 of patients when the0 administer
care.
*. Respect the spiritual .eliefs and practices of patients regarding diet and
treatment.
c. =phold the rights of indi-iduals.
(. 7a(e into consideration the culture and -alues of patients in pro-iding
nursing care. 6owe-er! in the e-ent of conflicts! their welfare and safet0
must ta(e precedence.
ARTIICLE III
REGISTERED NURSES AND PRACTICE
SECTION ..
Eth"ica P!i"ci#$%
%. 6uman life is in-iola.le.
2. >ualit0 and e?cellence in the care of the patients are the goals of nursing practice.
'. #ccurate documentation of actions and outcomes of deli-ered care is the
hallmar( of nursing accounta.ilit0.
SECTION /.
G'i($i"$% t) *$ )*%$!+$(,
REGISTERED N'!%$ -'%t
a. (now the definition and scope of nursing practice which are in the pro-isions of
R.#. No. %&'! (nown as the )*hilippine Nursing #ct of 2002@ and .oard Res.
No. 42A! Series of 200'! the )Rules and Regulations $mplementing the *hilippine
Nursing #ct. 2f 2002@! (the $RR".
.. Be aware of their duties and responsi.ilities in the practice of their profession as
defined in the )*hilippine nursing #ct of 2002@ and the $RR.
c. #c<uire and de-elop the necessar0 competence in (nowledge! s(ills! and attitudes
to effecti-el0 render appropriate nursing ser-ices though -aried learning
situations.
d. 7he0 are administrators! .e responsi.le in pro-iding fa-ora.le en-ironment for
the growth and de-elopments of registered nurses in their charge.
e. Be cognizant that professional programs for specialt0 certification .0 the B2N are
accredited through the Nursing Specialt0 Certification Council (NSCC".
f. See to it that <ualit0 nursing care and practice meet the optimum standard of safe
nursing practice.
g. $nsure that modification of practice shall consider the principles of safe nursing
practice.
h. $f in position of authorit0 in a wor( en-ironment! .e normall0 and legall0
responsi.le for de-ising a s0stem of minimizing occurrences of ineffecti-e and
unlawful nursing practice.
i. Ensure that patient:s records shall .e a-aila.le onl0 if the0 are to .e issued to
those who are professionall0 and directl0 in-ol-ed in their care and when the0 are
re<uired .0 law.
SECTION 0.

Ethica P!i"ci#$
4. Registered Nurses are the ad-ocates of the patients/ the0 shall ta(e appropriate
steps to safeguard their rights and pri-ileges.
G'i($i"$% t) *$ )*%$!+$(,
REGISTERED N'!%$% -'%t
a. Respect the )patient:s Bill of Rights@ in the deli-er0 of nursing care.
.. *ro-ide the patients or their families with all pertinent information e?cept those
which ma0 .e deemed harmful to their well4.eing.
c. =phold the patient:s rights when conflict arises regarding management of their
age.

SECTION 1.
Ethica P!i"ci#$
A. Registered Nurses are aware that their actions ha-e professional! ethical! moral!
and legal dimensions. 7he0 stri-e to perform their wor( in the .est interest of all
concerned.
SECTION 12.
G'i($i"$% t) *$ )*%$!+$(,
REGISTERED N'!%$% -'%t,
a. perform their professional duties in conformit0 with e?isting laws! rules
regulations! measures! and generall0 principles of moral conduct and proper
decorum.
.. not allow themsel-es to .e used in ad-ertisement that should demean the image
of the profession (i.e. indecent e?posure! -iolation of dress code! seducti-e
.eha-ior! etc.".
c. decline an0 gift! fa-or or hospitalit0 which might .e interpreted as capitalizing
on patients.
d. not demand and recei-e an0 commission! fee or emolument for recommending or
referring a patient to a ph0sician! a co4nurse or another health care wor(er+ not to
pa0 an0 commission! fee or other compensations to the one referring or
recommending a patient to them for nursing care.
e. a-oid an0 a.use of the pri-ilege relationship which e?ists with patients and of the
pri-ilege access allowed to their propert0! residence or wor(place.
ARTICLE I3
REGISTERD NURSES AND CO4WOR5ERS
SECTION 11.
Ethica P!i"ci#$%
%. 7he Registered Nurse is in solidarit0 with other mem.ers of the healthcare team in
wor(ing for the patient:s .est interest.
2. 7he Registered Nurse maintains collegial and colla.orati-e wor(ing relationship with
colleagues and other health care pro-iders.
SECTION 12.
G'i($i"$% t) *$ )*%$!+$(,
REGISTERED N'!%$% -'%t
a. maintain their professional role9identit0 while wor(ing with other mem.ers of
the health team.
.. conform with group acti-ities as those of a health team should .e .ased on
accepta.le ethico4legal standards.
c. Contri.ute to the professional growth and de-elopment of other mem.ers of the
health team.
d. #cti-el0 participate in professional organizations.
e. Not act in an0 manner pre1udicial to other professions.
f. 6onor ad safeguard the reputation and dignit0 of the mem.ers of nursing and
other professions+ refrain from ma(ing unfair and unwarranted comments or
criticisms on their competence! conduct! and procedures+ or not do an0thing that
will .ring discredit to a colleague and to an0 mem.er of other professions.
g. respect the rights of their co4wor(ers.
ARTICLE 3
REGISTERED NURSES, SOCIET6, AND EN3IRONMENT
SECTION 13 .
Ethica P!i"ci#$%
%. 7he preser-ation of life! respect for human rights! and promotion of health0
en-ironment shall .e a commitment of a Registered Nurse.
2. 7he esta.lishment of lin(ages with the pu.lic in promoting local! national! and
international efforts to meet health and social needs of the people as a contri.uting
mem.er of societ0 is a no.le concern of a Registered Nurse.
SECTION 14.
G'i($i"$% t) *$ )*%$!+$(,
REGISTERED N'!%$% -'%t
a. .e conscious of their o.ligations as citizens and! as such! .e in-ol-ed in
communit0 concerns.
.. .e e<uipped with (nowledge of health resources within the communit0!
and ta(e acti-e roles in primar0 health care.
c. acti-el0 participate in programs! pro1ects! and acti-ities that respond to
the pro.lems of societ0.
d. lead their li-es in conformit0 with the principles of right conduct and
proper decorum.
e. pro1ect an image that will uplift the nursing profession at all times.
ARTICLE 3I
REGISTERD NURSES AND THE PROFESSION
SECTION 1&.
Ethica P!i"ci#$%,
%. Baintenance of lo0alt0 to the nursing profession and preser-ation of its integrit0 are
ideal.
2. Compliance with the .04laws of the accredited professional organization (*N#"!
and other professional organizations of which the Registered Nurse is a mem.er is a
loft0 dut0.
'. Commitment to continual learning and acti-e participation in the de-elopment and
growth of the profession are commenda.le o.ligations.
4. Contri.ution to the impro-ement of the socio4economic conditions and general
welfare of nurses through appropriate legislation is a practice and a -isionar0
mission.
SECTION 1..
G'i($i"$% t) *$ )*%$!+$(,
R$7i%t$!$( N'!%$ -'%t
a. .e mem.ers of the Accredited Professional Organizations ( *N# ".
.. Strictl0 adhere to the nursing standards.
c. *articipate acti-el0 in the growth and de-elopment of the nursing
profession.
d. Stri-e to secure e<uita.le socio4economic and wor( conditions in nursing
through appropriate legislation and other means.
e. #ssert for the implementation of la.or and wor( standards.
ARTICLE 3II
ADMINISTRATION PENALTIES, REPEALING CLAUSE, AND EFFECTI3IT6
SECTION 1/.
7he Certificate of Registration of Registered Nurse shall either .e re-o(ed or
suspended for -iolation of an0 pro-isions of this Code pursuant to Sec.2.' (f"! #rt. $; of
R.#. No. %&' and Sec. 2' (f"! Rule $$$ of Board Res. No. 42A! Series of 200'! the $RR.
SECTION 10.
7he #mended Code of Ethics promulgated pursuant to R.#. No. C&& and *.3.
No.22' is accordingl0 repealed or superseded .0 the herein Code.
SECTION 11.
7his Code of Ethics for Nurses shall ta(e effect after fifteen (%A" da0s from its full
and complete pu.lication in the 2fficial ,azette or in an0 newspapers of general
circulation.
3one in the Cit0 of Banila! this %4
th
da0 of Dul0! 2004.
EUFEMIA F. OCTA3IANO
Chairman
REMEDIOS L. FERNANDE8 LETT6 G. 5UAN
Bem.er Bem.er
ANESIA B. DIONISIO FLORENCE C. CAWAON
Bem.er Bem.er
ATTESTED,
CARLOS G. ALMELOR
Secretar0! *rofessional Regulator0 Boards
APPRO3ED
ANTONIETA FORTUNA4IBE
Chairperson
A3ELINA A. DELA REA LEONOR TRIPON4ROSERO
Commissioner Commissioner