International Council of Nurses [Code of Ethics]

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The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses, most recently revised in 2006, is a guide for action based on social values and needs. The Code has served as the standard for nurses worldwide since it was first adopted in 1953. The Code is regularly reviewed and revised in response to the realities of nursing and health care in a changing society.

The Code makes it clear that inherent in nursing is respect for human rights, including the right to life, to dignity and to be treated with respect. The ICN Code of Ethics guides nurses in everyday choices and it supports their refusal to participate in activities that conflict with caring and healing.

ICN Code of Ethics [pdf file, 65 KB] English

Code déontologique du CII [pdf file, 56 KB] French

Código deontológico del CIE [pdf file, 52 KB] Spanish

ICN's Etiske Kodexs for Sigeplejersker [pdf file, 785 KB] Danish

ICN Ethik Kodex für Pflegende [pdf file, 123 KB] German

CII Codice Deontologico per la Professione Infermieristica [pdf file, 57 KB] Italian

ICN etický kódex [pdf file, 26 KB] Slovakian

ICNS etiske regler for sykepleiere [pdf file, 31 KB] Norwegian

ICN Code of Ethics [Download and save as Power Point Show, 130 KB] Russian

ICN Code of Ethics [pdf file, 190 KB] Japanese

ICN Code of Ethics [pdf file, 529 KB] Swedish

ICN Code of Ethics [pdf file, 340 KB] Polish

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