Draft Code of Conduct for consultation

The Nursing Council of New Zealand is undertaking a substantial review of the standards it sets and the guidance it gives to the public, nurses, employers and other agencies on appropriate professional conduct.  The Nursing Council is seeking your views on a new draft Code of Conduct for nurses to ensure it is setting appropriate standards of ethical conduct for nurses to protect the health and safety of health consumers.  For a copy of the Draft Code of Conduct for consultation please click here. For a copy of the Consultation document and feedback form please click here.

What is a Code of Conduct?

The Code of Conduct is a set of standards set by the Council that describes the behaviour that nurses are expected to uphold.  The Code of Conduct provides guidance on appropriate behaviour for all nurses and can be used by health consumers, nurses, employers, the Nursing Council and other bodies to evaluate the behaviour of nurses. 

Why has a new Code of Conduct been developed?

The existing Code was developed in 1994.  Since this time there have been significant changes to legislation, society and the practice environment.  The new Code has been written with a greater emphasis on the rights and needs of the health consumer.  For a background document on the development of the draft Code please click here.

How does the Code of Conduct fit with other guidelines developed by the Council?

The new Code will be the overarching document that describes professional conduct.  Other Guidelines are being developed to provide more detailed guidance on professional boundaries and social media.  The Council intends to develop a guideline on conduct for student nurses next year.  To see the draft guideline on professional boundaries please click here.

Please send your response to Alex@nursingcouncil.org.nz by 25 February 2012.

Alternatively you may send your submission to:

Alexander Abernethy

Nursing Council of New Zealand

PO Box 9644

Wellington 6141

New Zealand