NURSING LAW AND ETHICS

CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES IN NURSING ETHICS

• NURSING ETHICS- is the division of ethics which deals with the moral behavior
of nurse in the practice of nursing profession.
• - it is also concerned with the ethical norms and principles and good moral
conduct of nurse – as they relate to their fellow nurse, their profession and
other health care professionals , their clients and the general public.

• NURSING JURISPRUDENCE – is the branch of law which deals with the nursing
laws, lawsuits, liabilities, legal principles, rules and regulations, case laws and
doctrines affecting the nursing practice.

• NURSING LEGISLATION- is the process of making laws for the protection and
improvement of the nursing practice.

• Evolution of Ethics in the Nursing practice , three reasons:

• 1. the changing philosophy of health care with its increasing emphasis on the
principle of personal autonomy.
• 2. the changing philosophy of nursing with its emphasis on patient-oriented
care.
• 3. the evolution of nursing as profession distinct from medicine.
• Related Divisions of Ethics
• Bioethics- the division of ethics that relates to the human life or the ethics
of the life sciences and health care, both delivery and research.
• Health ethics- division of ethics that focuses on Human health.
• Nursing Ethics- division of ethics that deals with the ethico-moral behavior
in the nursing practice.
• Professional ethics- division of ethics that relates to professional behvior.
• Three main functions of professional ethics:
• 1. to reassure the public
• 2. to provide guidelines for the profession to discipline and regulate its
members
• 3. to provide a framework on which individual members can formulate their
decisions.
• CODE OF CONDUCT – means a paradigm of moral action.
-framework of behavior
Four Fundamental responsibilities of a NURSE.
1. Promote health
2. Prevent illness
3. To restore health
4. To alleviate sufferings
Christian Health Ethics – means Good is to be done and promoted, and evil
avoided.
Five Main Principles.
1. STEWARDSHIP –passage “God gave me a life in this body of mine, To have
and to use for a certain time, so I must be careful of life, for you see, My
life does not really belongs to me.”
2. INVIOLABILITY OF HUMAN LIFE- that life is a gift from God, it is sacred and
inviolable.
3. TOTALITY – upholds the unity of the whole. It means each part only exists
for the good of the whole.
• 4. PRINCIPLE OF DOUBLE EFFECT – it applies in case an act is foreseen to
have both good and bad effects.

• 5. SEXUALITY AND PROCREATION

• Five Principles:
• A. sex is a search for sensual pleasure and satisfaction, releasing physical
and psychic tensions.
• B. sex is a search for the completion of the human person through an
intimate personal union of love expressed by bodily union.
• C. sex is a social necessity for procreation of children and their education in
the family
• D. sex is a symbolic mystery
• * Christian principle is all about pleasure, love, reproduction and the
sacramental meaning of sex.
 CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS FOR FILIPINO NURSES

• PNA unanimously approved its First PNA Code of Ethics for Nurse in 1982.
October 1983- published the PNA Code of Ethics for Nurses.

• March 21, 1984 – PRC Board of nursing adopted the ICN (International
Council of Nursing) code of ethics as a integral part of code of ethics for
nurses in the Phils.

• Code of Ethics for Nurse in the Phils. – approved by the board on MARCH 21,
1984, pursuant to R.A. number 877 and P.D. No. 223.

• Code of Ethics was approved by PRC on OCTOBER 18, 1989.

• New Code of ethics for Filipino Nurse- promulgated on JULY 14, 2004.

• Code of GOOD GOVERNANCE- otherwise Executive order No. 220 was

approved on JUNE 23, 2003.
• CODE OF GOOD GOVERNANCE
• Specific Principles of Professional Conduct.
• 1. Service to others – professionals are committed to:
• a. a life of service to others
• b. protect life, liberty and public welfare
• c. to serve others and be prepared foe heroic sacrifice and genuine
selflessness.
• 2. Integrity and objectivity- professionals are required to:
• a. undertake their responsibities with highest sense of integrity and imbued
with nationalism and spiritual values.
• b. maintain objectivity at all times, be free of conflicts and refrain from
engaging in any activity that would prejudice their abilities to carry out their
duties ethically
• c. avoid making any representation that would likely cause a reasonable
person to misunderstand or be deceived.
• 3. Professional competence-must be equipped with.
• a. certain level of competence like knowledge, technical skills, attitudes
• And experiences
• b. new knowledge and technique upgraded the level of competence.
• 4. Solidarity and teamwork
• 5. Social and civil responsibility
• 6. Global competitiveness
• 7. Equality to all professions- treating their colleagues with respect and
maintaining fair dealing with one another

• International Council of Nursing Code of Ethics

• Amended Code of Ethics for Nurses
• Sections of ICN
• 1. Nurses and People
• 2. Nurses and Practice
• 3. Nurses and society
• 4. Nurses and Co-workers
• 5. Nurses and the Profession
• Responsibility of the Nurse to the Patient
• 1. to give him the kind of care his condition needs regardless of his race,
creed, color, nationality or status.
• 2. to become familiar with and observe the patient’s Bill of Rights
• 3. to repeat what the doctor wishes to tell regarding patient’s diagnosis.
• 4. to treat in strict confidentiality any information gathered in the course of
patient’s care
• 5 not to accept tips or inexpensive gifts that may induce them go favor one
and neglect others
• To finish his/her contract of service and not to leave a patient or any agency
without permission or resignation.

• Responsibility of the Nurse to the Physician

• 1. not only to carry doctors orders but also to plan and implement patient
care
• 2. to report the patient’s condition including the results of therapies
• 3. to familiarize themselves with the various routines
• 4. not to do any medical act or diagnosis.
• Responsibility of the Nurse to their Colleagues
• 1. able to get along smoothly with their colleagues
• 2. should be able to adjust themselves to the organization and to know its
policies and procedures and establish good working relationships with co-
workers
• 3. know their placement in the total organization so that they may
cooperate, coordinate and maximize their work
• 4. report to the supervisor any grievance, negligence and incompetence of
colleagues
• 5. welcome constructive criticism but never fault-finding.

• Responsibility of the nurses toward themselves

• Personal Grooming like wear slight make up , have a neat hair style, wear
proper uniform has a clean shoes, wear cap, not to wear jewelry and avoid
wearing uniforms in public, shopping or going to market.
• Sanction- penalty or reprimand, suspension or revocation of license.
• New Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses
• Articles
• 1. Registered Nurses and People
• 2. Registered Nurses and Pratice
• 3. Registered Nurses and Co-Workers
• 4.Registered Nurses , Society and Environment
• 5. Registered Nurses and the Profession

• ANSAP Code of Ethics- Association of Nursing Service Administrators of the

Philippines
• -has also its own Code of Ethics for all its members and was promulgated in
1993.
• Guiding Principles:
• 1. nursing profession is a commitment to God and people
• 2. nursing service is responsible and accountable for quality nursing care
• 3. nursing service is a major function in any health care delivery system and
deserves a corresponding importance in the organizational structure.
• 4. the client is the reason for the existence of the nursing profession
• 5. the nursing service is integral in the quality of education of students
• 6.in the nursing service ,its most important asset , aside from its client, is it
caring, competent and productive personnel

• Sections of the ANSAP code of Ethics

• 1. Dedication to God and People
• 2. Responsibility and Accountability for Quality nursing service
• 3. leadership and technical competence
• 4. Responsibility and accountability for nursing practice
• 5. Commitment to the nursing Profession
• 6. Sanction
 HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE NURSING LAW

• Act number 2493 – First law affecting the practice of nursing .

• - approved on February 5, 1915, provide for the
examination and registration of nurses in the Phils

• Act. Number 2808 – an act Regulating the practice of the nursing profession
in the Phils.
• - otherwise known as the “Nurses Law”
• -First True Nursing Law, under this law Board of Examiners for Nurses was
created and composed of 3 members.
• - Powers and Function of Board
• 1. issue and revoke certificates of registration for practitioner of the nursing
profession.
• 2. study the conditions affecting the practice of nursing profession in all
parts of the PHILIPPINES.
• 3. Exercise the power conferred upon it by the law.
• 4. promulgate with the approval of the secretary of the Interior regulations
governing the nurse examination.
• - it was approved March 1, 1919.

• Act number 4007 – Reorganization Law – took effect January 1, 1933

• - Board of examiners, the conduct of board examination was placed under
the direct supervision of the Bureau of Civil Service.

• R.A. 465- June 1950- Standardized the fees charged by the examining boards
for examination and registration.

• R.A. 546-reorganized and placed all the board of examinees under the
direct supervision of the President of the Philippines.

• R.A. 877- took effect June 19,1953

• - Philippine Nursing Law
• - created Filipino Nurses Association- now PNA
• R.A. 1080 – June 15, 1954 – act declaring the Bar and Board examination as
“Civil Service Examination”
• - once four years degree holders or law graduate pass the board and bar
exam- automatically first grade civil service eligible.

• R.A. 4704- enacted June 18, 1966- membership of the board to 5 members.

• R.A. 6136 – August 31, 1970- authorizing registered nurses to administer IV

and other injections as long as the administration is under direction of or in
the presence of physician.

• 1975- the revision of Nursing Law – to enable nurse to practice more

effectively and with legal protection within the framework of an expanding
health care delivery system.

• July 1977- PNA committee on by laws, ethics and legislation under the
chairman of Dr. Rosario S. Diamante.
• August 11, 1977 – public hearing on the proposal attended by nursing
educators, practitioners and administrators with Mr. Petronilo Gaitos.

• 1979 – Amending proposal to R.A. 877 were substitute.

• February 18, 1982- Mrs. Anesia Dionisio of PNA secured copies of Omnibus
code.

• May 13, 1982- copies of the proposal amendment of the Philippine Nursing
Act of 1982.

• R.A. 7164- approved November 21, 1991

• - The Philippine Nursing Law of 1991 under President Corazon
Aquino.
• - the board is composed of chairman and six members.
• -with three areas namely: Nursing Education, Nursing Service and
Community Health Nursing.
• R.A. 8981- PRC modernization Act of 2000.

• R.A. 9173 – Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 and approved on October 21,
2002.

• Laws related to Nurse Professionals

• P.D. 223 – PRC was created June 23, 1953
• R.A. 6511- enacted to amend R.A. 465
• LOI 1000- Compulsary membership to the Philippine Nurses Association
• R.A. 1612- requires all professionals in the Philippines to pay yearly
professional tax.
• Proclamation number 539- Nurses week
• Proclamation number 118- PRC week
• R.A. 7392- ammended R.A. 2644 known as the Philippine midwifery law.
• - no person can practice midwifery unless pass the board exam with 20
actual deliveries.
• R.A. 2382- Philippine Medical Act
• Resolution number 663, series 1984- international Code of Ethics for Nurses
• Resolution number 1955 series 1989- Philippine Code of Nursing Ethics
• Resolution number 187 series 1991- Renewal of Professional license
• R.A. 6713 – Code of Conduct and Ethical standard for public official and
employees.
• R.A. 1080 – Civil service
• P.D. 541- it allows balikbayan to practice their profession in the Philippines.

• Laws related to family life

• E.O. 209 - Family code of the Philippines
• P.D. 603- Child and youth Welfare Code
• P.D. 48 – Limits the maternity leave privileges up to 4th pregnancy.
• P.D. 69- limits the number of children to four, tax exemption purposes.
• P.D. 965 – Family planning and responsible parent hood.
• R.A. 6955- prohibits “Mail order bride” from the Philippines
• R.A. 7610 – anti- child abuse law and exploitation law.
• R.A. 8353- Anti-rape law

• Laws related to work

• P.D. 442 – New Labor Code of the Phils
• R.A. 1636 – Compulsary membership to SSS by employees in private agency
and self employed individual.
• E.O. 857 – Compulsary dollars remittance law
• R.A. 5901 – 40 hours /week law
• P.D. 1519 – gives medicine benefit to all government employee
• R.A. 6758 – it standardized the salaries of government employees include
nursing personnel.
• R.A. 7305 – Magna Carta for public health workers. Approved by Pres.
Corazon Aquino and Sen. Angara.
• R.A. 7877- Sexual harassment law of 1995
• P.D. 807 – Civil service law
• R.A. 8344 – an act penalizing the refusal of hospital and medical clinic to
administer initial treatment
• E.O. 180- uphold the exercise of the right to organize unions and
associations
• R.A. 7277- Disabled person
• R.A. 7719- National blood service act
• R.A. 7875 – National Insurance Act

• Laws related to Health

• R.A 6425 – Dangerous Drug Act of 1972
• R.A. 9165 – Dangerous Drug Act of 2002
• E.O. 51 Milk Code
• P.D. 996 – Compulsary immunization below 8 years old
• P.D. 825 – Improper disposal of garbage
• P.D. 856 – Code of sanitation
• P.D. 651 – birth registration law
• LOI 949 – legal basis of primary health care
• R.A. 6675 – Generic Act of 1988
• R.A. 1082- Creation of RHU all over the Philippines
• R.A. 4073 – liberalized the treatment of leprosy
• Act number 3573 – All CD cases shall be reported to the nearest station or
RHU
• R.A. 7160 – LGU devolved to health services(Local Governmernt Code)
• R.A. 7432 – Senior citizen Act
• R.A. 7600 – Rooming-in breastfeeding
• R.A. 9288 – New born Screening Act of 2004
• R.A. 340 – localize the human organs for successful medical scientific
purposes.
• R.A. 10912 – Continuing Professional
• House Bill No. 7431- an Act providing for a comprehensive Nursing Law
towards a Quality Health Care System, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and
for other purposes. (The Philippine Nursing Practice Act of 2020)
• R.A. 10173 - Data Privacy Law
 R.A. 9173 HB NO. 7431
An act providing for a more responsive An act providing for a comprehensive
Nursing Profession, Repealing for the Nursing Law towards a Quality Health
purpose R.A. no. 7164 Care System, Appropriating Funds
therefor, and for other purposes.

Article I - Title Article I- Title

Sec. 1. This act shall be known as the Sec. 1 Title. This Act shall be known as
“Philippine Nursing Act of 2002.” the “Philippine Nursing Practice Act of
2020.”

Article IV Article III

Examination and Registration Examination and Registration
Section 4. Scope of Examination. The Section 17. Scope of Examination. The
scope of the examination for the Board shall determine the scope of the
practice of nursing in the Phils. Shall be PNLE, taking into consideration the
determined by the Board. The Board nursing core competencies, the
shall take into consideration the nursing curriculum, the scope and
objectives of the nursing curriculum, areas of nursing practice and other
the broad areas of nursing and other related disciplines.
related disciplines and competencies
in determining the subjects of
examination.