Integrating a Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics in Practice: An Action Research Approach

Research Study Background: The recently revised Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives was enacted in December 2014. Fitness to Practice, and the associated patient experience,... [ view full abstract ]

Research Study

Background:
The recently revised Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives was enacted in December 2014. Fitness to Practice, and the associated patient experience, will be determined by the extent to which the Nurse or Midwife accords with their duties outlined in the Code.

Aims and Objectives:
To explore the impact the new Code has on nursing practice while identifying associated facilitating and inhibiting factors. Nursing participation, through action research, will inform the development of relevant strategies/tools to augment its integration in the care setting. It also aims to add to the existing knowledge base and collaborate with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland on optimum approaches to integrating the code in practice.

Method:
Collaborative Action Research is employed, as it requires participants’ engagement to produce rich data towards identifying current impact and future integration strategies. Voluntary participants are currently engaged in Action Learning Sets (ALSs), at two practice-based sites. Six registered nurses are partaking in each ALS. The research has gained gate-keeper approval, and ethical approval from both the associated clinical committee and third level institution.

Findings:
Preliminary findings show a lack of awareness and knowledge about the new Code. The Code is deemed too aspirational, ‘duty’ based and not flexible. External barriers also inhibit the integration of the Code in practice. The Code is regarded as a good guideline, but current feedback reveals that most nurses use their own personal moral code. The values and principles within the Code can be interpreted differently by each person. Participants expressed that there should be better awareness of the Code within the hospitals, through novel advertisement strategies, such as; posters, screen savers and wallet cards.

Conclusions:
Greater integration of the Code in practice could positively influence professional practice and the quality of patient experience. When nurses and midwives are cognizant of their Code in all interactions with their patients, patient safety is then optimized at a clinical level. The findings from this study will aid in the development of strategies/tools, in order to better integrate the Code in practice.