A

NURSES/MIDWIVES AND THEIR CLIENTS

1.1

assist clients to express their individual needs and values, and take these into consideration when determining the optimal plan of care.

1.2

actively involve their clients in the planning and delivery of care.

1.3

provide care regardless of clients' gender, ethnicity, religion, age, health and socio-economic status.

2.1

inform clients about the nursing care options that are available.

2.2

assist clients in obtaining the necessary information from appropriate sources, when what is required is beyond the nurse/midwife's scope.

2.3

respect the informed decision of competent clients to accept or refuse care.

2.4

obtain consent for nursing interventions where necessary and collaborate with other members of the health care team to obtain consent for medical treatment. When clients are incapable of making informed choices, consent should be sought from family members or significant others.

2.5

provide appropriate care until alternative arrangements are made, if the nurse/midwife is unable to comply with the client's requests because they run contrary to the law or the nurse's moral beliefs.

3.1

safeguard the confidentiality of all client-related information.

3.2

disclose confidential information only as authorized by the client, unless there is risk of harm to the client or other persons, or when there is a legal obligation to disclose the information.

3.3

maintain the anonymity of clients when disclosing confidential information in circumstances other than that stated in 3.2.

4.1

provide nursing care in a manner that preserves the clients' privacy and dignity.

4.2

prevent or resolve any situation in which clients are not accorded privacy or dignity.

4.3

render appropriate care to support a dignified and peaceful death in cases where life can no longer be sustained.

B

NURSES/MIDWIVES AND THEIR PRACTICE

5.1

safeguard the health and safety of their clients against incompetent, unethical or illegal practices.

5.2

ensure that the safety of their clients is not jeopardised by the commission or omission of any nursing care activity.

5.3

alert the appropriate authority of any situations which may endanger the health or safety of clients or colleagues.

5.4

provide accurate and relevant information when speaking on nursing or health-related matters in public.

6.1

ensure that their nursing practice is based on the best available evidence in the current scientific literature.

6.2

keep pace with advances and innovations in medicine by participating in continuing education activities.

6.3

practise critical reflection and self-evaluation to assess their levels of competence and effectiveness of care delivered.

7.1

ensure clients' interests and needs are recognized and considered by the entire healthcare team.

7.2

safeguard clients from undue coercion to accept or change a particular course of action, if they do not choose to do so voluntarily.

7.3

defend those clients who may be vulnerable and incapable of protecting their own interests.

8.1

ensure that research is conducted in a manner that does not cause harm to their clients or compromise the standards of care they receive.

8.2

respect their clients' right to an informed and voluntary consent regarding participation in research, including the right to withdraw.

8.3

ensure that consent is obtained from a family member, guardian or person(s) legally authorised to make a decision, for those clients who are deemed incompetent.

8.4

ensure that their clients' anonymity and confidentiality is maintained.

8.5

comply with the ethical guidelines for research issued by the hospital/institution

C

NURSES/MIDWIVES AND THEIR PROFESSION

9.1

respect the values of healthcare colleagues and collaborate with them to advocate ethical healthcare.

9.2

share knowledge and expertise to resolve ethical issues.

9.3

support the actions of colleagues who have protected their clients from incompetent, unsafe or unethical care.

10.1

present the ethical perspective when serving in committees or participating in civic activities in their professional capacity.

10.2

advocate fairness when participating in the formulation of health policies or when supporting community and national efforts to meet the health needs of the public.

10.3

promote fair allocation and efficient use of resources.

10.4

provide assistance when an emergency situation arises outside of employment.

10.5

avoid letting financial considerations of one's own practice, investments or other commitments influence the provision of care.

10.6

refrain from any form of canvassing or advertising that is incompatible with the ethical standards of the profession.

10.7

refrain from publicly endorsing the products or services of sponsoring companies when organising activities.

a.

falsifying records;

b.

abusing clients verbally, physically or emotionally;

c.

abusing the nurse-client relationship;

d.

signing or issuing a document containing false and misleading information in one's professional capacity;

e.

practising whilst impaired by or suffering from substance abuse;

f.

misappropriating property from clients or workplace;

g.

indulging in inappropriate relationships with clients;

h.

indulging in inappropriate business practices;

i.

committing an act regarded by the profession as dishonourable or unprofessional (e.g. tampering with medical certificates).

a.

practising without any valid nursing registration and/or licences;

b.

false assumption of titles or designations to deceive clients;

c.

using another nurse/midwife's name and/or registration in the course of providing or offering services to clients;

d.

failure to comply with the provisions of the Nurses and Midwives Act or its Regulations, and orders as meted out by the SNB;

e.

being convicted of any offence that may bear upon the nurse's/midwife's suitability to practise;

f.

being found guilty of professional misconduct by other nursing regulatory bodies;

g.

failure to appear before an inquiry convened by the SNB and/or co-operate with investigations carried out by the SNB.

Term

Explanation

Accountability

Being answerable and responsible for the outcome of one's professional actions (includes any judgement, decision or action taken or omitted in nursing practice). Nurses/midwives are accountable to the client, the employer and the Singapore Nursing Board.

Advocacy

Speaking up in favour or support of the client's interests and wishes.

Autonomy

The right of individuals to determine their own actions and destinies.

Client (s)

An individual or group who seeks or receives professional care or advice from a nurse/midwife.

Competence

Adequately qualified and skilled in performing nursing duties to at least the minimum standard required.

Confidentiality

Ethical obligation to protect the privacy of clients' personal information.

Consent

Permission given by clients for a procedure or action to be carried out upon them by their attending nurse/midwife.

Dignity

Treating the client with respect and consideration for his rights as an individual.

Evidence-based nursing

Refers to the process of

• reviewing current research findings (evidence). published in scientific journals or other data sources
• evaluating the relevance of this evidence to current. nursing practice.
• modifying existing practice where indicated.
• evaluating the impact of the modified practice.

Midwife

A person who has completed a course in midwifery and is licensed by the Singapore Nursing Board to practise as a Registered Midwife.

Nurse

A person who has completed a pre-registration or pre-enrolment nursing course and is licensed by the Singapore Nursing Board to practise as a Registered Nurse or Enrolled Nurse.

Responsibility

Obligation to properly carry out duties which are expected of a nurse/midwife and for which they can be held accountable.

Significant others

Persons who play an influential role in the client's life and well-being (e.g. guardian, caregiver, partner).