Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses and Midwives

The code is designed to ensure that nurses and midwives provide the best possible standard of care in a competent, safe, ethical, and accountable manner. The code comprises four main areas: Safe, Competent, Respectful, and Ethical Practice; Accountability; Responsibility to the Profession; and Working with Others. Each area contains statements that provide guidance for action. Safe, Competent, Respectful, and Ethical Practice emphasizes the importance of treating individuals with dignity and respect, respecting human rights and values, and providing care based on the best available evidence or best practice. Nurses and midwives are expected to maintain clear professional boundaries, establish and maintain clear sexual boundaries, and refuse any gifts, loans, favors, or hospitality that might be interpreted as an attempt to gain preferential treatment. Accountability requires nurses and midwives to take personal responsibility and be accountable for their practice, acknowledge limitations of their professional competence, and maintain the competence necessary for current practice through ongoing professional education. They must also use judgment when delegating responsibility and confirm that the outcome of any delegated task meets required standards. Responsibility to the Profession emphasizes the importance of maintaining standards of personal conduct that reflect well on the profession and enhance its image and public confidence. Nurses and midwives must not use their professional status to promote causes or products that are not related to health and refrain from engaging in exploitation, misinformation, or misrepresentation in regard to their professional qualifications, healthcare products, and nursing or midwifery services. Working with Others requires nurses and midwives to work cooperatively within teams, respect the skills, expertise, and contributions of their colleagues, and treat their colleagues fairly and without discrimination. They must also be willing to share their skills and experience for the benefit of their colleagues. The code is complementary to the Code of Ethics of the Lesotho Nurses Association, the Confederation of Midwives International Code of Ethics for Midwives, and the International Council of Nurses' Code of Ethics for Nurses. It is designed to promote safe, competent, respectful, and ethical practice, accountability, responsibility to the profession, and effective working relationships with others.