Code of Conduct for Any

¶ … code of conduct for any particular institution is important only as long as it is adhered to. If the code of conduct is ignored by the majority of the individuals that it pertains to, then it could be even worse than not having a code of conduct in the first place. The America Nurses Association has a code of conduct that is explicitly stated and the association's website displays vivid examples of what is acceptable and what is not. This careful reiteration of the acceptable standards are due primarily to the fact that so many people could be affected by any individuals covered by the code who do not live up to its standards.

The health care administrator has responsibilities to self, to the organization, to the clientele served by the organization, and to the employees who provide services at the organization" (Badzek, Mitchell, Marra, Bower, 1998).

Since a code of conduct is created primarily concerning the individual's conduct within a specific instance as guided by a particular entity, it is most likely to be observed and adhered to by the individual. In my specific situation, not only is the code of conduct as set by the American Nurses Association applicable to my circumstances, but my own personal code of ethics comes in to play as well. My personal code is applicable not only in the workplace environment but in every aspect of my life as well. That code encompasses a black and white scenario of what is correct behavior and what is not correct. My code has also been a standard set as I was a young child, and even before then, by my parents who instilled that sense of what is right and what is wrong in my way of thinking from the time I was a child.

What could be most to me is the disturbing level of acceptance currently in evidence concerning illegal and unethical actions taken by individuals who should not be doing so.

According to a study by Badaracco and Webb (1995), many young managers reported being asked implicitly to do things they personally believed were unethical, and sometimes illegal" (Badzek, 1998). The question that comes to mind is, 'are we as a society really at a point where we accept unethical actions as commonplace, even illegal events with a blase attitude?' It is hoped that such attitudes of acceptance are not the norm, and will never come to such. If society is headed down that particular path, it is one that I would rather not trod, especially in regards to the nursing field where a number of situations present themselves that require consideration and reflective action based on both sets of standards to which I adhere.

One particularly sticky area in which ethics could come into play is in the confidentiality that must be maintained when dealing with patients and their relatives or guardians. In a recent case study highlighted on the American Nurses Assocation website a situation concerning confidentiality is displayed. In that case a nurse who had diverted meds for personal use, at the expense of patient's comfort was discovered at a hospital. When confronted with the discovery, the nurse admitted to the diversions and requested help through rehabilitation. One administrator believed that was enough punishment for the nurse and wanted to deal with the matter entirely in-house.

Another administrator was very concerned over the matter and wished to conduct a meeting to discuss the matter in detail. She was worried that patients were affected by this nurse's diversions, that the nurse's "actions had compromised her professional status, and because patients had been affected, and other nurses' actions had been impacted by Jackie's performance, a full discussion need to take place with the nurse. (and she) wanted to determine what people knew or suspected, and if so, why they didn't act" (Badzak, 1998).

The first administrator, who also happened to be the nurse's immediate supervisor, remained adamantly opposed to such a discussion, fearing that the nurse's confidentiality would be compromised.

The solution to this particular dilemma would mostly likely entail initially gathering as much information as possible about the situation. The next step would be in analyzing the data to discern how such events could have taken place, and how best to roadblock such circumstances in the future. In this case because of the substance abuse acknowledged by the nurse, special considerations would apply. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, "Substance abuse is a recognized universal health problem affecting the nursing community that requires appropriate management" (American, 1996, p. 253). The question then becomes was the first administrator correct in her view, or was a full-blown discussion necessary in order to address the second administrator's concerns?

Accordingly the website espoused the fact that special care was to be implemented in this case.

The key, according to the website, was not what should or should not be the end result, but the steps taken in order to culminate in a fair and just decision for all involved. Justice, in this particular case would have to pertain to more than just what actions should be taken to punish the nurse for her choices. Other items to consider would be how other employees would feel and act if the nurse were to be hired back after her rehabilitation, as well as the fact that patients were affected, and a primary concern of how such an individual can affect those with who she works and interacts within the health care facility.

The website linked any actions taken in regards to ethical questions to the value system being adhered to by the institution. After the values have been defined then it becomes necessary to apply the data collected to those specific values in order to render a determination on what course of action would best be fit for the individuals involved.

Only after the facts, the values, and the conflicts have been sorted can creative solutions be determined. The best solutions are those that least infringe on the rights of all of the parties interested in the outcome to the dilemma" (Badzak, 1998). The key then is to gather the information, then apply that information in a fair and just manner to the values previously established by the institution. The end result should be a compromise that is beneficial to all parties.