Introduction:
Adherence to professional codes of ethics is essential to all nursing practices which are usually neglected in clinical settings due to a number of reasons. The present study aims to study barriers to the practices of professional ethics and present practical strategies for its improvement.
Methods and methods:
This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted by random sampling method on 138 nursing staff in selected hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences during 2012. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The best practical strategies were presented according to the results yielded by the first part of questionnaire and also nurses’ prioritization of barriers in the second part.
Results:
In nurses’ view, the most important barriers to professional ethics adherence were respectively human resource shortage, failure to fulfill nurses’ basic needs, and biological and physical changes during night shifts. Development of nursing ethics committees in Iranian Nursing Organization and country’s hospitals was proposed as the best practical strategy to improve professional ethics adherence. Professional ethics regulations were explained as well.
Conclusion:
According to the present findings, limitations and possibilities, developing nursing ethics committees is the best strategy for improving professional ethics adherence. Development of such committees will hopefully contribute to higher adherence to ethical codes, enhance nursing profession and the quality of care, and also elevate patients’ satisfaction.