Responsibilities to the Patient
1.
The primary responsibility of the nurse to the patient is to give
him/her the kind of care his/her condition needs regardless of his/her race,
creed, color, nationality or status. In doing so, the patient’s care shall be
based on needs, the physician’s orders, and the ailment; and shall involve the
patient and/or his/her family so that he/she or any of the family can
participate in his/her care.
2.
The nurse can plan with the patient and family a specific nursing
care of the patient according to his or family’s needs and requirements.
3.
The nurse should promote learning for the patient.
4.
When giving care she should not forget that patients and human
beings not just bodies afflicted with illness (treatment of person not
symptom).
5.
A nurse is expected to show more commission to the patient than the
physician.
6.
Her primary consideration in assuming care is a concern for the
patient’s welfare and safety.
7.
A nurse is responsible to give facts or information to the patient
and his family which they entitled to know.
8.
A nurse guard as a sacred trust any confidential or private
information from the patient even after death of the patient except when it is
required to show the interest of justice, public health or public safety.
9.
Nurses are advised to become familiar with the patient’s bill of
rights and observe its provisions.
10.
Nurses should commit themselves to the welfare of those entrusted
to their care. They should be loyal to their sworn duty.
Responsibilities to
the Physician
1.
It is expected that nurses will not only carry out doctor’s orders
accurately and conscientiously but help plan and implement patient care as
well.
2.
He/she should call the physician’s attention when he makes mistakes
before carrying out his prescriptions otherwise he/she may be liable for the
consequences.
3.
Nurses must report patient’s condition including results of
therapies so that management of care can be properly monitored and modified as
necessary.
4.
Nurses should familiarize themselves with the various routines,
methods or idiosyncrasies of physicians, so that smooth relationships can be
maintained. In case the patient has a complaint against the physician, this
shall be tactfully brought to the latter’s attention.
5.
Any case of illegal, incompetent or unethical practice by any
member of the health team shall be brought to the attention of the appropriate
authority through channels within the institutional or agency setting.
6.
Nurses should remember that any medical act relegated to them is
illegal because it is specified in the Medical Law that any licensed nurse who
does this, even if supervised, can be held for illegal practice of medicine.
Responsibilities to the Public
1.
A nurse should cooperate with the proper authorities in the
enforcement of sanitary laws and regulations and in the education of the masses
on the p[promotion of individual and community health.
2.
takes part in enlightening the public regarding communicable disease
(prevention and cure)
3.
Must be active in the performance of her duties as a citizen.
Responsibilities to
Colleagues
1.
Nurses are expected to be able to get along smoothly with their
colleagues.
2.
Nurses shall adjust themselves to the organization and know its
policies and procedures. They shall establish good working relationships with
co-workers.
3.
It is important that nurses know their place in the total
organization so that they may cooperate, coordinate and maximize their work.
4.
Situations such as when nurses see their colleagues neglect their
duties or are incompetent shall be brought to the attention of the immediate
supervisor or appropriate authority within the agency setting before any life
could be endangered.
5.
Nurses should observe utmost caution, tact and prudence with
respect to the official conduct of his/her superiors or another nurse.
6.
Should refrain from making unfair and unwarranted criticisms
against another nurse or doing anything that would discredit her colleagues.
7.
Should not interfere with or take over the nursing care of a
patient already under the care of another nurse unless in case of emergency.
Responsibilities to
the Profession
1.
A nurse should be zealous in her professional growth by keeping
abreast with the least trends in nursing science, act and practice (join a bona
fide professional organization)
2.
Should be upright, diligent, sober, modest and well versed in both
science and the act of her profession.
3.
Should not solicit patient by any means such as through
advertisements, solicitors or agents.
4.
Must refrain from performing any act or any transaction that may be
a discredit to herself or to the profession and to bring to the attention of
proper authorities any unethical conduct of any registered nurse.
Responsibility to Other profession
1.
She ought to cooperate in safeguarding the reputation and dignity
of the members of other professions.
