A code of professional conduct is a collection of norms appropriate for the nursing profession and should be the point of reference for all decisions made during the care process. Codes of ethics for nurses are formulated by members of national nurses’ organizations. These codes can be considered to specify general norms that function in the relevant society, adjusting them to the character of the profession and enriching them with rules signifying the essence of nursing professionalism. The aim of this (...) article is to present a comparative analysis of codes of ethics for nurses: the ICN’s Code of ethics for nurses, the UK’s Code of professional conduct, the Irish Code of professional conduct for each nurse and midwife, and the Polish Code of professional ethics for nurses and midwives. This analysis allows the identification of common elements in the professional ethics of nurses in these countries. (shrink)

Polish society has found itself at a very important point in its history. The transformation from a traditional to a postmodern pluralistic society involves changes in many spheres of social life. These trends give rise to the question of which way the younger generation of Polish nurses will be going. The main objective of this research was to elucidate the opinions of nurses on life and health as basic values, and on their ethical and religious background regarding their nursing care. (...) The study made use of a questionnaire for collection and interpretation of the data. Although this article shows some lack of consistency, and even contradictions, it is possible to conclude that life and health are cherished with affection by the great majority of nurses as positive factors of human existence. (shrink)

A decline in work and study of nursing students in a school of nursing became increas ingly obvious. A lack of ambition, anxiety and discouragement seemed to be due to prospective unemployment. This led to a research study concerning the problems of moral education in a school of nursing. Findings show that students should be taught a certain sensibility of conscience, the ability to think independently, to choose the right career, and to take responsibility for themselves. Le travail et les (...) études des étudiants infirmiers/ères dans une école d'infirmiers/ères ont perdu l'importance toujours plus visiblement. Un manque d'ambition, peur et découragement semblaient être dus à la possibilité du chômage. Ceci poussait à une étude de recherches concernant les problèmes d'éducation morale dans une école d'infirmiers/ères. Les conclusions montrent que les étudiants devraient être enseignés une certaine sensibilité de conscience, la compétence de penser indépendement, choisir la bonne carrière, et prendre la responsabilité pour eux-mêmes. Ein Rückgang in der Arbeit und der Studien der Schüler/innen einer Kranken pflegeschule wurde mehr und mehr offensichtlich. Ein Mangel an Bestrebung, Furcht und Mutlosigkeit schienen auf eine zukünftige Arbeitslosigkeit zu deuten. Dies führte zu einem Forschungsstudium über die Probleme der Moralbildung einer Krankenpflegeschule. Die Ergebnisse zeigten dass die Schüler/innen eine gewisse Sensibilität des Gewissens, die Möglichkeit, selbstständig zu denken, die gute Karriere zu wählen, und die Eigensverantwortung gelehrt sein sollten. (shrink)