Certified Nursing Assistant Code of Ethics

Author: Thomas C. Weiss
Published: 21 Jul 2009 - Updated: 16 Dec 2019

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Overview - Related Content

Synopsis

An article presenting an outline of the Certified Nursing Assistant Code of Ethics.

Overview

A certified nursing assistant, or CNA, helps patients or clients with healthcare needs under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). A CNA helps preserve life, ease patient's suffering and works toward restoring health to all.

Also known as a Nursing Assistant (NA) a Patient Care Assistant (PCA) or a State Tested Nurse Aid (STNA), the individual who carries this title needs strong work ethic and ability, but issues of liability and legality prevent CNAs from performing certain procedures.

A CNA Should at All Times:

• Help preserve life, ease patient's suffering and work toward restoring health to all.
• Consider all needs including social, physical, emotional and spiritual.
• Be loyal to your employer, patients co-workers, and the facility in which you work.
• Practice good health habits in order to keep your own good health. Sound health habits include nutritious meals, sufficient rest and sleep , time for relaxation and recreation when off duty, and prompt reporting of any sign of illness. Periodic health check-ups are needed to prevent illness.
• Be neat and well-groomed at all times while on duty and pay attention to your own hygiene and cleanliness.
• Give nursing care on the same level to all patients regardless of their racial or religious beliefs. Show equal courtesy and respect to all patients.
• Keep all information about patients and families confidential when outside the facility.
• Carry out your duties responsibly and to the best of your ability. Be cooperative and communicative when working with others and show respect for the work done by others.
• Never perform a procedure or give a treatment you are not qualified to perform. Do not carry out a patient's request unless positive it is appropriate to do so. Always check first with nurse in charge.
• Never discuss your own personal problems and affairs with patients.
• Make the patient's welfare and safety the first concern.
• Care for your patients as taught to do so, be willing to learn new skills and update old ones.
• Be flexible and willing to accept changes in tasks and assignments which will improve the quality of patient care.
• If the patient's welfare and safety are in jeopardy by actions of other personnel, you are obligated to make this known. The complaint should be made first to your charge nurse. After one week, if you do not see a resolution to the situation, write your complaint and submit it to the Director of Nurses. You should be informed of steps taken to resolve the situation.

Responsibility in Resident Care

• Assist resident's to meet psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural needs

Resident Rights

• Treated with dignity and respect
• Feel secure and recognized as individual
• Love and be loved
• Feel sense of accomplishment and good about themselves
• Follow personal beliefs

Fulfill Responsibility to Employer

• Reporting to work on time
• Reliably fulfilling assignments
• Notifying supervisor when ill
• Working as a team member
• Doing one's job to the best of his/her ability according to JOB DESCRIPTION
• Conserving supplies/equipment

Professionalism for CNA

Carrying out resident care in a manner that:

• Ethical and Competent
• Knowledgeable and Caring
• Committed and Giving of dignity
• Representative of high standards
• Professional behaviors or attitudes
• Skilled and caring when giving care
• Responsible, trustworthy, truthful
• Attending in-services, maintaining state certification
• Following chain of command and scope of practice
• Being a team player
• Asking for assistance if needed
• Being a mandated reporter

Ethical Behavior for CNA

Ethical Behavior for Resident Care

• Protect life and promote health
• Keep personal info confidential
• Respect each person as an individual
• Give care based on need, not gratuities

Ethical behavior for Work

• Working assigned shift
• Arriving on time
• Being absent only when necessary
• Notifying employer prior to necessary absences
• Following instructions within scope of practice
• Being loyal, flexible, and cooperative - a team member

Unacceptable behavior which may result in dismissal:

• Abuse
• Stealing or willfully damaging property
• Insubordination and neglecting duties
• Altering or falsifying records
• Working under influence of drugs/alcohol
• Dishonesty and breech of confidentiality

Confidentiality

• Maintained by discussing personal info only with appropriate health team members at appropriate times and places

Examples:

• Adhering to HIPAA guidelines (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) which limits sharing of information without patient consent
• Discussing observations with nurse or physician
• Discussing resident's care while participating in team conferences or planning

Examples of Breeching Confidentiality

Discussing personal information with:

• Another resident
• Concerned friends or visitors
• Members of the news media
• Members of the CNA's family
• Persons in the community
• Health team members not directly involved with resident care

Author Credentials: Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses earning a Masters, Bachelors and two Associate degrees, as well as pursuing Disability Studies. As a CNA Thomas has provided care for people with all forms of disabilities. Explore Thomas' complete biography for comprehensive insights into his background, expertise, and accomplishments.