As part of their code of ethics, aspiring nurses in nursing colleges acknowledge the worth of each individual despite his medical situation or socioeconomic status. The patients nurses serve essentially should be their highest priority. Nurses must agree to offer emotional support to the patient's family and significant others as well. In addition, nurses should be committed to fostering respectful relationships with their colleagues.
Nurses have the responsibility to provide patients with the chance to have a part in planning the treatment they will receive. Aspiring nurses additionally should analyze conflicts that occur when they consider their personal and professional values. For example, nurses should consider avoiding accepting even small free gifts from individuals who can influence their patient care decisions such as pharmaceutical representatives. Nurses should be willing to disclose such conflicts of interest and even choose to remove themselves from related discussions/decisions when they identify a conflict-of-interest situation.
Individuals in nursing colleges must be committed to protecting a patient's privacy, which includes discussing health matters with a patient in a private setting. In addition, the code of ethics in nursing colleges recognizes the importance of nurses' efforts to keep a patient's health care information confidential. Nurses also should acknowledge patients' rights to choose whether or not to take part in a research study, and they should be willing to reveal any instances of illegal or unethical behavior on the part of fellow employees.
Aspiring nurses in nursing colleges must determine whether they feel capable of handling various medical situations. They must contact other nurses or medical professionals when they feel inadequate to perform a particular task. Nurses must be willing to continue their education in the nursing field as well. Nurses also should be aware of any prevalent health issues in their community.