Laws and Ethics for Nursing Assignment 2022

Running head: LAWS AND ETHICS FOR NURSING
Laws and Ethics for Nursing
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author’s Note

LAWS AND ETHICS FOR NURSING1
The ICN codes of nursing rules have set out a series of laws and ethics related to the
profession which, the nurses and midwives must follow as a code of conduct. The nurses are
expected to follow the standard rules that would increase their worth towards their works. The
NMBA or the nursing and midwifery board of Australia has set down different regulations and
practices that promotes healthy and ethical practices of nurses (Epstein & Turner, 2015). This
essay explores a study on the ethics attached to the profession and the breach of the laws in some
cases that can bring in substantial problems in the entire medical world. It also aims to explore
some of the ICN codes of nurse that have been breached by the nurses by posting comments
inappropriately providing the details of the patients.
In respect to the conduct, a person was found to post an inappropriate status which broke
the ICN code of ethics (Kalaitzidis & Jewell, 2015). In that post, the patient was objectified and
derogatory comments were made in order to derive fun. Moreover, the post was absolutely of
bad test as it was posted describing the disease from which the patient was suffering. According
to the ICN code of ethics (1. Nurses and people), the individual should be charged on the
grounds of Provision 1 (1.1) where a nurse if supposed to have respect for human dignity. The
relationship with patients act was also breached (1.2) and made derogatory comments which was
not supposed to be done on the part of a professional nurse. Along with that, the ICN code of
ethics also expects a nurse to respectful and compassionate towards patient which the particular
individual failed to achieve (Wilson et al., 2019). According to the provision 3, that person also
failed to respect the privacy and confidentiality of the patient. A standard behavior and conduct
is expected of every nursing professionals due to which the NMBA code of ethics came into
existence for acknowledging their duty. The senior nurse was unprofessional in mentioning the
disabilities and discussing on a public forum. The post was also presented in a derogatory

LAWS AND ETHICS FOR NURSING2
manner that proves insensitiveness and callousness that is contradictory to the profession the
person is in (4.1 – i). That person is also accountable to the medical authority in response to the
conduct that had been done. The health care facility should also investigate on the seriousness of
the matter and take charge on the matter accordingly (Lane et al., 2017).
In another scenario, a person was found to post a status mentioning the roles of her
colleagues in the workplace. The comment also alleged that the nurses were often indulging in
unprofessional ways that include spending more time in nurse’s station rather than attending the
patients. Moreover, his posts also exposed the unhealthy atmosphere of the place as most of the
times, they make delays in changing sheets or changing the urine bottles of the patient. On
investigation it was found that the allegation was false and he did that intentionally to undermine
some his colleagues. The post contained sensitive information related to the health care service
which do not follow the ICN code of conduct 1 which states that the nurse should show
professional values and integrity. The person has breached the code which stated a harmonious
association with other co-workers (Daly, Speedy & Jackson, 2017). The post also had ethical
issues which derogates the image of the health care organization along with the other staffs. This
particular move has also called in the breach of provision 2 that states the conflict of interest for
nurses, crossing of professional behavior and the impeding the collaboration with other nurses.
The NMBA code of conduct (4.2) restricts the nurses to misrepresent the state of the health
organization (Johnstone, 2016). It also does not tolerates the act of dishonesty that maligns the
reputation of the institution. The false statement with which other staffs were charged break the
maintenance of professional standard mentioned 4.1 of the NMBA conduct code where he
advertised against the interest of the health organization and failed to comply with the Australian
legislation (Mannix, Wilkes & Daly, 2015).