Code of Ethics for Nurses

About the American Nurses Association

The American Nurses Association is the only full-service professional organization representing the interests of the nation’s 5 million registered nurses through its constituent/state nurses associations and its organizational affiliates. ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on healthcare issues affecting nurses and the public.

American Nurses Association

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2024952150

Copyright ©2025 American Nurses Association. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form or any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN-13

Print 978-1-963052-23-7

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SAN: 851-3481

Notice

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CONTRIBUTORS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

In preparation for the 2025 revision of the Code of Ethics for Nurses (Code), the American Nurses Association Center for Ethics and Human Rights initiated a comprehensive approach to gather feedback from various interested partners, including nurses from around the world and an examination of the use and impact of the Code by performing a scoping literature review. These initiatives aimed to evaluate the utilization and effectiveness of the existing Code through diverse engagement strategies.

The revision of the Code was informed by a panel of nurses selected from various practice settings, geographic locations, and differing levels of expertise. After a revised code was drafted, it was posted for public comment and over 6,300 responses were received from 3,000 individuals. The contributions of these individuals are gratefully acknowledged.

The following persons were members of the 2025 Code of Ethics for Nurses Revision Panel:

CO-CHAIRS

Jennifer L. Bartlett, PhD, MEDSURG-BC, CNE, CHSE (Lead)

Kara Curry, MA, RN, HEC-C

Marsha D. Fowler, PhD, MDiv, MS, RN, FAAN, FRSA (Code Scholar)

Liz Stokes, PhD, JD, RN

Martha Turner, PhD, RN, FAAN, Colonel (Ret.), USAF

Daniela Vargas, MSN, MPH, MA-Bioethics, RN, PHN

EXPERT PANEL

Carol Bickford, PhD, RN, NI-BC, CPHIMS, FAMIA, FHIMSS, FAAN

Dewi Brown-DeVeaux, DNP, RN, ONC, FADLN, FAAN

Cynthia C. Coleman, DBe, RN, HEC-C

Dallas Ducar, MSN, RN, NP, CNL, FAAN

Beth Epstein, PhD, RN, HEC-C, FAAN

Heather Fitzgerald, DBe, MS, RN

Nelda Godfrey, PhD, ACNS-BC, RN, FAAN, ANEF

Pamela J. Grace, RN, MSN, PhD, FAAN, HEC-C

Danisha Jenkins, PhD, RN, CCRN, NEA-BC, NHDP-BC, SANE-A

Shika Kalevor, MBE, BSN, RN, HEC-C

Daisy Lara, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

Olivia Lemberger, PhD, RN, NPD-BC

Fidelindo Lim, DNP, CCRN, FAAN

Georgina Morley, PhD, MSc, RN, HEC-C

Annmarie Muñana, DNP, MSN, MJ, RN, CNE

Mona Pearl Treyball, PhD, RN, CNS, CCRN-K, FAAN, Colonel (Ret.), USAF

Catherine Robichaux, RN, PhD

Kathryn Schroeter, PhD, MA-Bioethics, RN, CNOR, FAORN

Jennifer Shepherd, DNP, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CHPN

Connie M. Ulrich, PhD, MSN, RN, FAAN

Laura B. Webster, RN, DBe, HEC-C

Ian D. Wolfe, PhD, MA, RN, HEC-C

Lucia D. Wocial, PhD, RN, HEC-C, FAAN

WRITING PANEL

Evelyn Addo-Wallace, DNP, MPH, WHNP-BC

Nikki E. Akparewa, RN, MSN, MPH

Teri Chenot, EdD, MS, MEd, MSN, RN, FNAP, FAAN

Anna Dermenchyan, PhD, RN, CCRN, CPHQ

Jess Dillard-Wright, PhD, MA, RN, CNM, FAAN

Kathy Forte, DBE, CPNP

Margaret J. Hegge, EdD, MS, MEd, BA, FAAN

Liam C. Hein, PhD, RN, FAAN

Michael Jordan, MSN, MBA, HEC-C

Aimee Milliken, PhD, RN, HEC-C

Aliza Narva, MSN, RN, JD, HEC-C

Elizabeth O’Connor Swanson, DNP, RN, MPH, CNS-BC, FNP-BC

Christen Paradissis, PhD

Sophia Robinson Harris, DNP, RN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC

Jeanie Sauerland, MA, RN, HEC-C

Kayla Tabari, RN, MBE, HEC-C

Carol Taylor, PhD, MSN, RN, FAAN

Chris Wilson, RN, JD, MS, HEC-C

Tracy R. Wilson, DNP, MBe, MSN Ed, RN, FNP-C

The Revision Panel was staffed by Liz Stokes, PhD, JD, RN, Director of ANA’s Center for Ethics and Human Rights (Co-Chair), Kara Curry, MA, RN, HEC-C, ANA Senior Policy and Ethics Advisor (Co-Chair), and Sarah Simons, MSW, ANA Special Initiatives Program Manager.

CONTENTS

Contributors and Acknowledgements

Preface

Introduction

PROVISION 1

The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person.

1.1 Respect for Human Dignity

1.2 Relationships with Patients and Recipients of Nursing Care

1.3 The Nature of Health

1.4 The Right to Self-Determination

PROVISION 2

A nurse’s primary commitment is to the recipient(s) of nursing care, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population.

2.1 Primary Commitment to Recipients of Nursing Care

2.2 Conflicts of Interest and Conflicts of Commitment in Nursing

2.3 Professional Boundaries

2.4 Issues of Safety in the Nurse-Patient Relationship

PROVISION 3

The nurse establishes a trusting relationship and advocates for the rights, health, and safety of recipient(s) of nursing care.

3.1 Privacy and Confidentiality

3.2 Advocating for Persons Who Receive Nursing Care

3.3 Responsibility in Promoting a Culture of Safety

3.4 Protection of Patient Health and Safety by Acting on Practice Issues

3.5 Protection of Patient Health and Safety by Acting on Impaired Practice

PROVISION 4

Nurses have authority over nursing practice and are responsible and accountable for their practice consistent with their obligations to promote health, prevent illness, and provide optimal care.

4.1 Responsibility and Accountability for Nursing Practice

4.2 Addressing Barriers to Exercising Nursing Practice Authority

4.3 Ethical Awareness, Discernment, and Judgment

4.4 Assignment and Delegation

PROVISION 5

The nurse has moral duties to self as a person of inherent dignity and worth including an expectation of a safe place to work that fosters flourishing, authenticity of self at work, and self-respect through integrity and professional competence.

5.1 Personal Health and Safety

5.2 Wholeness of Character

5.3 Integrity

5.4 Professional Competence

5.5 Human Flourishing

PROVISION 6

Nurses, through individual and collective