Sustainability in Nursing - Scope and Standards of Practice/Code of Ethics

ANA Scope and Standards of Practice

Standard 17: Environmental Health

Nursing competencies include promoting a safe/healthy workplace using concepts of environmental health while assessing and identifying risk factors so those risks can be reduced (ANA, 2015). Communicating about risk information and exposure reduction and advocating about safe use and disposal of health care products (ANA, 2015). Using technology for promoting safe practice, evidence base practice, and participation in the development of healthy strategies each help to improve environmental health (ANA, 2015). Graduate level nursing competencies include analyzing the social, political, and economic impact on the environment worldwide while collaborating and building partnerships working towards sustainability and global health policies focusing on prevention and eliminating hazards to people and the environment (ANA, 2015).

ANA Code of Ethics

Provision 6: Ethical Environment

Provision 6 focuses on the individual and collective effort that nurses have while improving the employment and work setting ethical environment, maintaining safe and quality health care (ANA, 2017). Virtues guide individuals toward moral obligations and they are supported by a flourishing moral environment known as the milieu (ANA, 2017). Ethical obligations and principles can be fulfilled when nurses maintain their environments by creating a culture of excellence (ANA, 2017). By practicing mutual support, respectful interactions, and openly identifying difficult issues, nurses can contribute to improving their moral environment (ANA, 2017). It is a nurse's duty to address concerns within their health care environment and to work with professional organizations that advocate for standards of practice (ANA, 2017).

ANA. (2017). Code of ethics for Nurses. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/ethics/code-of-ethics-for-nurses/

ANA. (2015). Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 3^rdEdition. https://nursingworld.org

Memorial Hermann Health System. (n.d.). Careers at Memorial Hermann Health System: Memorial Hermann Health System jobs. [Photograph nurse]. https://jobs.memorialhermann.org/us/en

Prudential. (2020). Prudential celebrates year of the nurse with ana partnership. [Photograph ANA]. https://news.prudential.com/prudential-celebrates-year-nurse-with-american-nurses-association-partnership.htm