Professional Values in Nursing
Professional values form the foundation of nursing practice. The NMC Code of Conduct sets out the standards that all nurses and midwives must uphold. Understanding these values is essential for passing the NMC CBT and for safe, effective practice in the UK.
The NMC Code of Conduct
The NMC Code has four main themes that all nurses must follow:
- Prioritise people — Put the needs of patients and service users first. Treat people as individuals and uphold their dignity.
- Practise effectively — Maintain your knowledge and skills. Work within your competence and provide evidence-based care.
- Preserve safety — Act without delay if there is a risk to patient safety. Raise concerns and report unsafe practices.
- Promote professionalism and trust — Maintain professional boundaries. Be honest and trustworthy. Uphold the reputation of the nursing profession.
Informed Consent
Informed consent is a fundamental principle of ethical healthcare. For consent to be valid, the patient must:
- Have the capacity to make the decision
- Receive all relevant information about the treatment
- Give consent voluntarily without pressure
Consent can be written, verbal, or implied. It is an ongoing process, not a one-off event. Patients have the right to withdraw consent at any time.
Confidentiality
Nurses have a legal and professional duty to keep patient information confidential. Information can only be shared:
- With the patient's explicit consent
- When required by law
- In the public interest (e.g. to prevent serious harm)
The NMC Code states that nurses must respect people's right to privacy and confidentiality at all times.
Duty of Candour
The duty of candour requires healthcare professionals to be open and honest with patients when something goes wrong. If a mistake occurs, nurses must:
- Tell the patient what has happened
- Apologise sincerely
- Provide appropriate support
- Complete an incident report
Person-Centred Care
Person-centred care means treating patients as partners in their own care. It involves:
- Respecting the patient's values, preferences, and expressed needs
- Coordinating care around the patient, not the organisation
- Providing information in a way the patient can understand
- Involving family and carers as appropriate
Raising Concerns
Nurses have a professional duty to raise concerns about unsafe practice or wrongdoing. This is sometimes called whistleblowing. Concerns should be reported through the appropriate channels, such as a line manager or safeguarding lead. The NMC protects nurses who raise concerns in good faith.