Uses Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (ANA, 2001) to guide practice.

Delivers care in a manner that preserves and protects patient autonomy, dignity, rights, values, and beliefs.

Recognizes the centrality of the patient and, when possible, the family, as core members of any healthcare team.

Upholds patient confidentiality within legal and regulatory parameters.

Assists patients in self-determination and informed decision-making.

Maintains a therapeutic and professional nurse-patient relationship within appropriate professional role boundaries.

Contributes to resolving ethical issues involving the patient, nurse colleagues, healthcare providers, correctional personnel, and other stakeholders.

Takes appropriate action regarding instances of illegal, unethical, or inappropriate behavior that could endanger or jeopardize the best interests of the patient or situation.

Speaks up when appropriate to question healthcare practice when necessary for safety and quality improvement.

Advocates for equitable patient care.

Participates in interprofessional teams that address ethical risks, benefits, and outcomes.

Provides information on the risks, benefits, and outcomes of healthcare regimens to allow informed decision-making by the patient, including informed consent and informed refusal.

Participates in ongoing educational activities related to appropriate knowledge bases and professional issues.

Demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning through self-reflection and inquiry to address learning and personal growth needs.

Seeks experiences that reflect current practice to maintain knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment in clinical practice or role performance.

Acquires knowledge and skills appropriate to the role, population, specialty, setting, role, or situation.

Seeks formal and independent learning experiences to develop and maintain clinical and professional skills and knowledge.

Identifies learning needs based on nursing knowledge, the various roles the nurse may assume, and the changing needs of the population.

Participates in formal or informal consultations to address issues in nursing practice as an application of education and knowledge base.

Shares educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers.

Contributes to a work environment conducive to the education of healthcare professionals.

Maintains professional records that provide evidence of competence and lifelong learning.

Utilizes current evidence-based nursing knowledge, including research findings, to guide practice.

Incorporates evidence-based research when initiating changes in nursing practice.

Participates, as appropriate to education level and position, in the formulation of evidence-based practice through research findings.

Shares personal or third-party research findings with colleagues and peers.

Contributes to nursing knowledge by conducting or synthesizing research findings and other evidence that discovers, examines, and evaluates current practice, knowledge, theories, criteria, and creative approaches to improve healthcare outcomes.

Promotes a climate of research and clinical inquiry.

Disseminates research findings through activities such as presentations, publications, consultation, and journal clubs.

Demonstrates quality by documenting the application of the nursing process in a responsible, accountable, and ethical manner.

Uses creativity and innovation to enhance nursing care.

Participates in quality improvement. Activities may include: