of conduct.pdf · the international council of nurses and the international confederation of...

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Nursing and Midwifery Code of Conduct

UAE Nursing and Midwifery Council 2

CONTENTS

PREFACE ..................................................................................................................................................3

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..........................................................................................................................4

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................6

CODE OF CONDUCT DOMAINS ..............................................................................................................7

DOMAIN ONE : Nursing and midwifery in relation to people …….……........8

DOMAIN TWO: Nursing and midwifery in relation to practice……….………..9

DOMAIN THREE: Nursing and midwifery in relation to profession…………….11

DOMAIN FOUR: Nursing and midwifery in relation to colleagues………….…12

GLOSSARY………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………...............13

REFERENCES ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….............15



PREFACE

The UAE Nursing and Midwifery Council (UAE NMC) was established in 2009 to regulate the

nursing and midwifery professions, promote and advance nursing and midwifery services and

protect and promote the health and safety of the public based on the highest standards.” (UAE

NMC establishment Cabinet Decree number 10, 2009).

This code of conduct sets the foundation for the practice, education and regulation of nursing

and midwifery in the UAE. It is a concrete example of the UAE NMC commitment to fulfill its

purpose and to systematically advance the nursing and midwifery professions across the UAE.

This document was developed by the Scientific Committee for Nursing and Midwifery Practice.

The members of this committee represent all major healthcare stakeholders in the UAE. These

Include, but are not limited to: UAE NMC, Health Authority of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Health

Services Company, Ministry of Health, Dubai Healthcare City Authority, Dubai Health Authority,

University of Sharjah, Higher Colleges of Technology, Medical Services Corps of the UAE Armed

Forces, Dubai Police, Institutes of Nursing, the private sector and the Emirates Nursing

Association.

This code of conduct document was developed with input from national and international

experts. In developing this document, several resources - from ICN, ICM, MOH, HAAD, DHA and

DHCA were utilized including, but not limited to, professional codes of conduct and codes of

ethics, scopes of practice and practice standards.



ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Council sincerely appreciates the concerted efforts of all involved in making this publication

possible – expressing special gratitude to:

HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, President of the UAE NMC, wife of His Highness

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the

UAE and Ruler of Dubai; for her infinite guidance and support for the nursing and

midwifery professions.

H.E. UAE Minister of Health.

The UAE NMC board members.

All members of the Scientific Committee for Nursing and Midwifery Practice, for their

excellent work in developing this document.

The International Council of Nurses and the International Confederation of Midwives for

the ongoing support throughout the development of this document.

All nursing and midwifery colleagues and the UAE NMC staff who participated in the

development, validation and revision of this document.

All individuals representing different healthcare institutions for the contribution in one

way or another to the development of this document.



LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

DHA Dubai Health Authority

DHCA Dubai Healthcare City Authority

ENA Emirates Nursing Association

HAAD Health Authority of Abu Dhabi

HCT Higher Colleges of Technology

ICM International Confederation of Midwives

ICN International Council of Nurses

ION Institutes of Nursing

MOH Ministry of Health

UAE United Arab Emirates

UOS University of Sharjah

UAE NMC United Arab Emirates Nursing and Midwifery Council



INTRODUCTION

The code of conduct for nurses and midwives serves as the foundation for nurses/midwives

ethical practice. It defines the ethical responsibility inherent in the nurse and midwife’s role and

supports the need to protect and promote the interest of the client, family, community and

society in the UAE. A Code of Conduct outlines standards of professional and personal behavior

as based on ethical principles.

A code of conduct is the nursing and midwifery profession’s non-negotiable ethical standard. It

is a statement of the ethical obligations and duties of every person in the profession in all roles

and settings. It is an expression of the profession’s interpretation of its commitment to society

and thus it informs the public what they can expect from nurses and midwives. It will inform

employers, other health care professionals and the public about the ethical commitments and

responsibilities of nurses and midwives.

The primary goal of this code of conduct is to protect the public. This code intends to:

• Establish the ethical standard of the nursing and midwifery professions.

• Establish a framework for professional behavior and responsibilities.

• Guide and strengthen nurses and midwives’ ethical behavior in practice.

• Provide a benchmark for nurses and midwives to use for self-evaluation.

• Promote high standard of practice.

• Provide a benchmark for the regulator to evaluate if ethical commitments and standards of practice are not being met.

The code of conduct standards can be used by nurses and midwives, employers, regulators,

educators and researchers. Regulatory bodies shall use the code to align licensing and re-

licensing requirements accordingly; educational institutions shall include the ethical content in

curricula to guide students in their practice and character formation; and, nurses and midwives

shall use it as a guide for carrying out nursing and midwifery responsibilities in a manner

consistent with quality nursing and midwifery care and the ethical obligations of the

professions.



CODE OF CONDUCT DOMAINS

The code of conduct for nurses and midwives is written as a framework consisting of four major

domains (see Figure 1):

Domain one: Relation to People

Domain two: Relation to Practice

Domain three: Relation to Profession

Domain four: Relation to Colleagues



A breach of the code of conduct may constitute either professional misconduct or

unprofessional conduct that may result in disciplinary consequences. The exact process by

which reports of nurses and midwives’ unethical, illegal or deficient practices are dealt with is

beyond the scope of this document. Failure to comply with this code may jeopardize the

eligibility to practice into question and endanger the nurse and midwife’s registration.

This document should be read in conjunction with:

The professional code of conduct for nurses and midwives (in own institution)

The client's bill of rights (or equivalent document in own institution)

The UAE NMC Scope of Practice

Laws and regulations that guide practice

DOMAIN ONE: NURSING AND MIDWIFERY IN RELATION

TO PEOPLE

The nurses and midwives’ primary responsibility is to demonstrate professional values

and conduct themselves ethically in how they interact with individuals/groups receiving

care. This domain addresses the nurses and midwives’ role with regards to respect,

integrity and partnership.

1.1 Respect

The nurse and midwife shall:

Promote an environment where the human rights, values, culture, customs and

spiritual beliefs of the individuals/groups are respected.

Respect and maintain the individual rights for dignity and privacy.

Intervene and if needed, report when others do not respect the dignity and privacy

of those receiving care.

Not discriminate individuals/groups on the basis of race, nationality, religion,

gender, socio-economic level, health status or any other attribute.

Respect the individual rights for self-determination and decision making including

the right to seek a second opinion.

Prohibit disclosure of information gained without the consent of the original source

of information.



1.2 Integrity


Provide impartial, honest, timely and accurate information in a culturally

appropriate manner on which to base consent for care and related treatment.

Refrain from taking advantage of a privileged position for personal gain.

Maintain professional boundaries and not enter into inappropriate relationships

with clients.

Act as an advocate for individuals/groups particularly when the health and well-

being of those in their care is being compromised by the decision making or actions

of others.

Respect the client’s right for self-determination and informed consent to nursing

and/or medical care.

1.3 Partnership

The nurse and midwife shall, in partnership with other healthcare professionals:

Support the rights of client/family/community/society to accurate, current and

meaningful information about healthcare.

Encourage the contributions of client/family/community/society in decision making

concerning healthcare and wellbeing.

Share with client/family/community/society pertinent knowledge, skills and

resources to self-care.

DOMAIN TWO: NURSING AND MIDWIFERY IN RELATION

TO PRACTICE

The nurse and midwife carry personal responsibility and accountability for professional

practice and for maintaining competence thereby using rational judgment in delivering

evidence-based care.

2.1 Responsibility and Accountability


Assume responsibility for identifying own developmental needs and engage in

continuing education through lifelong learning to ensure continued competence in

professional practice.



Be accountable for the provision of evidence-based care.

Be responsible for ensuring own practice conforms to the standards developed and

agreed by the profession.

Demonstrate accountability, responsibility for own professional judgment, actions,

outcomes of care and continued competence in accordance with the UAE NMC

Scope of Practice and the UAE laws and regulations.

Use judgment regarding individual competence when accepting and delegating

responsibility.

Maintain own fitness to practice (e.g. valid license) and withdraw from practice,

after consulting with employer, if not fit to provide safe competent care.

Maintain a standard of personal health such that the ability to provide care is not

compromised.

Identify and disclose situations where there may be conflict of interest in

professional role and resolve them in the best interest of the client.

2.2 Competence


Be responsible to maintain competence required for current practice.

Seek appropriate guidance when encountering situations beyond the Scope of

Practice and the limits of one’s own competence.

2.3 Safety and Quality


Ensure a safe environment by identifying actual and potential risks and take timely

action to meet national legislation and workplace health and safety principles.

Practice in accordance with standards that promote a culture of safety and quality

services.

Report unethical, illegal or impaired practices.

Acknowledge and protect the health of the community against threats to health and

safety.



2.4 Confidentiality


Refrain from accessing information that is not necessary for the provision of health

care or that is not directly related to their role.

Hold in confidence client information, and disclose only pertinent information to

healthcare professionals involved in providing care.

Inform the client that medical information might, under certain circumstances, be

shared with other members of the healthcare team.

Not abuse access to information for purposes inconsistent to their professional

obligations.

DOMAIN THREE: NURSING AND MIDWIFERY IN RELATION

TO THE PROFESSION

The nurse and midwife assume the major role in determining and applying acceptable

standards of clinical practice, management, research and education thereby upholding the

image of nursing and midwifery professions.

3.1 Continuous Professional Development


Be responsible for upholding own professional knowledge and skills to ensure

licensure to practice.

Engage in life-long learning to maintain and improve professional knowledge, skills

and attitudes.

3.2 Image of Nursing and Midwifery


Uphold and promote the positive image of the nursing and midwifery professions to

maintain and enhance public confidence. This applies to conduct in the real world

and online social networking.

Identify and report situations that harm the image of nursing and midwifery

professions.

Participate in creating a positive practice environment.



DOMAIN FOUR: NURSING AND MIDWIFERY IN RELATION

TO COLLEAGUES

The nurse and midwife sustain a collaborative and respectful relationship with colleagues

and other healthcare professionals.

4.1 Teamwork/Collaboration


Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

Respect the skills, expertise and contribution of nursing and midwifery colleagues

and other health care providers to maximize benefits to those receiving care.

Take appropriate action to support and guide colleagues to advance ethical conduct.



GLOSSARY

Client

A person or persons who engage(s) or is/are served by the nurse or midwife with advice and/or

care; client may refer to an individual, family, community or society; its use acknowledges that

a significant part of nursing and midwifery services are delivered to people who are well or ill

and proactively engaging in healthcare. In this document, the terms client and patient are used

interchangeably.

Conduct

The way a person acts, especially from the standpoint of morality and ethics.

Confidentiality

According to The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary (2002), confidentiality is

defined as the ethical principle or legal right that a physician or other health professional

will hold secret all information relating to a patient, unless the patient gives consent permitting

disclosure.

Ethics

A set of principles that people use to decide what is right and what is wrong (Macmillan

Dictionary, 2012).

Fitness to practice

All the qualities and capabilities of an individual relevant to his or her capacity to practice as a

nurse or midwife, including but not limited to, freedom from any cognitive, physical,

psychological or emotional condition and dependence on alcohol or drugs that impairs his or

her ability to practice nursing or midwifery (CNA, 2008, p. 25).

Image

An opinion that people have about someone or something which may not be true one

(Macmillan Dictionary, 2012).

People

Refers in this document to the patients/clients, their families and the community

https://mail.moh.gov.ae/owa/redir.aspx?C=8a628862143e49c1a466a5af3455a966&URL=http%3a%2f%2fdictionary.reference.com%2fbrowse%2fwill



Positive practice environment

It is a work environment that supports performance excellence and optimal social and

psychological well-being of staff through: sustaining absence of work pressure, job security and

workplace safety; encouraging team work, leadership and autonomy; supporting a motivated,

empowered and autonomous staff while recognizing and rewarding their achievements.

Healthy work environment has an evident positive impact on nurse satisfaction and retention;

in addition to the strong influence it has on patient safety, patient satisfaction and quality care.

Privacy

According to Mosby's Medical Dictionary (2009), privacy is defined as a culturally specific

concept defining the degree of one's personal responsibility to others in regulating behavior

that is regarded as intrusive. Some privacy-regulating mechanisms are physical barriers (closed

doors or drawn curtains, such as around a hospital bed) and interpersonal types (lowered

voices or cessation of smoking).

Professional boundaries

Professional boundaries are the borders that mark the edges between a professional,

therapeutic relationship and a non-professional or personal relationship between a nurse or

midwife and a person in their care. When nurses or midwives cross a boundary, they are

generally behaving in an unprofessional manner and misusing the power in the relationship.

Professional misconduct

Refers to the wrong, bad or erroneous conduct of a nurse and midwife outside of the

framework of practice (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2008).

Regulatory bodies

Regulatory bodies at the time of printing this document include MOH, HAAD, DHA and DHCA.

Unprofessional conduct

Refers to ‘conduct that is contrary to the accepted standards of the profession’ (e.g. breaching

the principles of asepsis, violating confidentiality) (Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council,

2008, p.2).



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Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council. (2005). Code of professional conduct for nurses in Australia. Retrieved from http://www.shiregps.org.au/documents/Nurse%20professional%20code%20of%20conduct.pdf

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Confidentiality. (2007). In The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary. Retrieved

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