NMBI has published the second edition of the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (the Code) to embrace recent legislative changes.

The purpose of the Code is to guide nurses and midwives in their day-to-day practice and help them understand their professional responsibilities in caring for patients in a safe, ethical and effective way. The new updates provide for the inclusion of several legislative changes that have occurred since its publication in 2014. The format of the Code continues to reflect principles and is values-based, with the supporting Standards of Conduct.

Updates for the second edition (2021) include:

• Considerations of relevant Irish legislation enacted since 2015:

• Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015
• Civil Liability (Amendment) Act 2017
• Data Protection Acts 1988-2018
• Freedom of Information Act 2014
• Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018
• United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2007 (ratified by the Irish Government in 2018)

• Principle 1 – respect for the dignity of the person:

• Revision and additions to the standards of conduct related to termination of pregnancy and conscientious objection; and capacity
• Additional supporting guidance for capacity

• Principle 2 – Professional responsibility and accountability:

• Revision to the standard of conduct relating to health and safety of patients and personal safety
• Update to the standards of conduct relating to conscientious objection.

• Updated references and resources.

The updated Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives is available here.