The American Nurses Association (ANA) Center for Ethics & Human Rights released the highly anticipated 2025 revision of the Code of Ethics for Nurses (Code). The Code is the foundational ethical framework for nurses at all levels, providing guidance and instruction to effectively and honorably carry out the ethical responsibilities required of the nursing profession.
The 2025 revision addresses current and emerging changes in caring science, health science, nursing humanities, and technology. In the past 10 years, rapid developments in healthcare have brought a new and diverse array of ethical and professional questions for nurses to navigate. Some of the key updates introduced include:
“A new 10th provision, focused on global health: “Nursing, through organizations and associations, participates in the global nursing and health community to promote human and environmental health, well-being, and flourishing.”
“Navigation of structural oppressions such as racism and intersectionality among patients, peers and healthcare systems. For the first time, the Code identifies racism as a public health crisis.
“Removal of the false parallel of duty-to-self and duty-to-others, making it clear that this divide is a strain on nurses and is rectified to make clear that a nurse’s duty to oneself is a benefit to their patient.
“It is the tremendous responsibility and honor held by the American Nurses Association to maintain the Code of Ethics for Nurses. The Code is the social commitment from nurses to the public that we will uphold the ethical responsibility of our profession in pursuit of the health of our patients,” said Liz Stokes, PhD, JD, RN, director of the ANA Center for Ethics & Human Rights. “The Code was revised to guide the nurses of today and tomorrow who exemplify our profession’s moral duty to provide and advocate for safe, quality, and compassionate care for all patients and communities.”
For 23 years, the American public has ranked nursing the “Most Honest and Ethical Profession” among other notable professions such as medical doctors, engineers, and veterinarians.
“The Code of Ethics for Nurses is a living, breathing body of work that is exercised and interpreted by nurses every day in all they do. Whether in the boardroom or at the bedside, the Code is a necessary instrument for practice, policy, and standards in all facets of nursing,” said American Nurses Association’s President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. “The phrase ‘nursing is a calling,’ is true. The identity of being a nurse permeates our very being and all that we do-be it as caretakers, advocates, or educators-we are dedicated to delivering healthcare for all.”
To provide better understanding of the Code’s foundational values and relational structure, ANA has released peer-reviewed, continuing nursing education (CNE) accredited courses for the first three provisions, with the remaining modules to be released throughout 2025.
For more information about or to join ANA visit
https://www.nursingworld.org/ana
