CODE OF ETHICS provision 5 related to Continuing Education
As outlined by the ANA, provision 5 includes that nurses owe the same duties to self as others, this includes responsibility to preserve integrity and safety, maintain competence, and to continue personal professional growth (Fowler and American Nurse Association, 2010).
PROS
Fair and equal treatment
Safe patient care
Be competent
Be educated to provide the best care
Grow professional and personally
Expand career knowledge and skills
Integrity
Builds confidence
Helps guide better decision making
Creates trust
Extends positive influence
CONS
Personal and professional growth requires a time commitment
Being competent and advancing can include a financial commitment
Growing pains
Feeling out of comfort zone
The Code of Ethics is a public expression of what a nurse commits oneself to when entering the workforce as a nurse. The Code expresses values, duties, and commitments that all nurses will strive for (ANA, 2010). There are many pros and a few cons to nurses agreeing to follow the Code of Ethics. The pros mentioned above can greatly outweigh the cons. As nurses we are here to serve people, we extend ourselves to care for others. In caring for others we must also care for our self in the process. The ANA outlines for professional growth a nurse is responsible for “continued reading, study, observation, and investigation” (2010). All of the above are outlined by the ANA.