Ethical concerns in nurse life care planning practice are often complex and
multidimensional, and may or may not be addressed in laws and professional ethics codes. Codes of ethical practice educate and inform professionals about sound ethical
behavior, while mandating a minimal standard of practice. The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (ANA, 2001) provides the framework for ethical Nurse Life Care Planning practice. The Code includes explanations and specific examples are provided for each of its nine provisions.
Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements affirms that all nurses, including Nurse Life Care Planners, have an ethical obligation to practice with integrity,
competence and accountability. The AANLCP Code of Ethics and Conduct was created by a group of Nurse Life Care Planners as an additional guide to core values and
obligations of Nurse Life Care Planning.
1. The Nurse Life Care Planner does not discriminate against any person based on age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, religious beliefs or practices, social or economic status, lifestyle choices, functional status, health status, or disability.
Nurse Life Care Planning explanation:
• An individual's differences or beliefs are respected. Personal attitudes do not influence or interfere with professional performance.
• Each individual's inherent worth, dignity and human rights are respected by the Nurse Life Care Planner without prejudice, regardless of whether the nurse agrees with or condones certain individual choices.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner performs in a nonjudgmental and nondiscriminatory manner.
Nurse Life Care Planning example:
• A Nurse Life Care Planner whose religious beliefs prohibit her from accepting blood transfusions includes plans for platelet and red blood cells transfusions for an
individual with chronic malignancy.
2. The Nurse Life Care Planner maintains competency in nursing practice and Nurse Life Care Planning practice.
Nurse Life Care Planning explanation:
• The Nurse Life Care Planner pursues professional growth through personal study, attendance at educational programs, national nursing conferences, seminars,
professional meetings, reading the AANLCP Journal and other relevant professional journal articles, and collegial collaboration.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner practices according to the Nurse Practice Act and AANLCP scope of practice.
Nurse Life Care Planning example:
• A CNLCP earned credits towards recertification by attending the AANLCP annual conference and a continuing education seminar on spinal cord injury, and by presenting an offering on Nurse Life Care Planning to other nurses.
3. The Nurse Life Care Planner demonstrates high standards of professional conduct in delivering Nurse Life Care Planning services.
Nurse Life Care Planning explanation:
• The Nurse Life Care Planner demonstrates honesty, integrity, responsibility, accountability, timeliness, and respect for human dignity.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner practices ethically and lawfully.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner accurately represents professional background and credentials.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner does not promote personal interests for personal gain. • The Nurse Life Care Planner remains objective and does not impose individual values
on others.
Nurse Life Care Planning examples:
• The Nurse Life Care Planner positively exemplifies nursing to individuals, community, legal field, and media.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner seeks consultation as necessary.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner remains respectful and open in the exchange of views with all individuals with relevant interests.
4. The Nurse Life Care Planner safeguards privacy rights. Nurse Life Care Planning explanation:
• The Nurse Life Care Planner exercises responsibility, discretion and respect in handling and use of all protected or sensitive information and materials.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner considers that the rights, well-being, and safety of the individual should be the primary factors in arriving at any professional judgment concerning the disposition of confidential information.
Nurse Life Care Planning examples:
• The Nurse Life Care Planner shares relevant data only with those with a need to know.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner is aware of and complies with local, state and federal privacy and security regulations.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner recognizes that in some circumstances private
information must be disclosed in compliance with federal or state law or regulations. • The Nurse Life Care Planner uses appropriate technology to maintain data security
with electronic communication.
5. The Nurse Life Care Planner assumes responsibility and accountability for professional action, opinions, recommendations, and commitments.
Nurse Life Care Planning explanation:
• The Nurse Life Care Planner assumes accountability for Life Care Plan and actions, opinions, and decisions.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner accepts, declines, or refers out cases on good faith based upon personal competence, education, experience, and capabilities. • The Nurse Life Care Planner's professional services are delivered in a competent,
concise, and timely manner. Nurse Life Care Planning examples:
• The Nurse Life Care Planner accepts responsibility for initiating consultation with other health care providers when necessary.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner questions incorrect or inappropriate collaborative suggestions.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner seeks opportunities for improvement based on feedback from clients and colleagues on professional work.
6. The Nurse Life Care Planner provides professional services with objectivity. Nurse Life Care Planning explanation:
• The Nurse Life Care Planner demonstrates critical thinking in decisions, recommendations, and opinions.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner actively seeks to eliminate personal opinion, prejudice, conflict of interest, consideration, or appearance of any of these that could interfere with objectivity, performance, or outcome or tend to create the appearance of bias. Nurse Life Care Planning examples:
• The Nurse Life Care Planner applies standards of nursing practice (the nursing
process) consistently in all Life Care Plans, thereby not confusing bias with advocacy. • The NCLP identifies and resolves any potential conflict of interest as soon as possible.
7. The Nurse Life Care Planner participates in the advancement of the profession through participating in and promoting mentorship, collegiality, education, and ongoing knowledge development.
Nurse Life Care Planning explanation
• The Nurse Life Care Planner maintains active involvement in the professional association's ongoing development and revisions of standards, policies, and guidelines for nursing and Nurse Life Care Planning.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner collaborates with mentors, peers, colleagues, and others. The Nurse Life Care Planner shares materials and information designed to advance the practice of nursing and Nurse Life Care Planning with peers, colleagues, clients, and others.
Nurse Life Care Planning examples:
• The Nurse Life Care Planner stays current on trends and decisions regarding
healthcare delivery dynamics and expanding scopes of practice at the local, state and national levels.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner maintains an active membership in a national nursing organization.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner collaborates with members of other professional organizations at international, national, state and community levels.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner facilitates and participates in critical self-reflection and evaluation in the profession.
• The Nurse Life Care Planner serves as a leader, mentor, or committee member in the professional association.