Health Regulations and Ethics for CNAs

Ethics is a compulsory subject of study in almost all the programs related to nursing field. Whether you enroll in an online or campus based CNA training program or not, you will be taught ethics. You are expected to provide high quality care to the patients in critical conditions. So, understanding the ethics of the situation is very necessary for those, who are planning to get into this career.

CNA code of ethics

Certified nursing assistant’s job demands a caring nature, patience, passion to serve sick people and firm, coherence with the CNA code of conduct and ethics. Most of the patients look for those professionals, who can better understand the ethics of the situation, as they are in a job where they find it difficult to take care of their self. To lessen the issues of abuse, government has designed a code to enrich the treatment and life of patients. Health regulations can vary by state. Each state has the authority to set up their own set of parameters for their health care facilities, whether it is a nursing home or a hospital. But they should fall within the federal regulations.

CNAs and Ethics

A CAN should follow the below mention ethics in their jobs:

• Preserve life

Being a professional of health care; you must consider emotional, physical, spiritual and social needs of your patient without prejudice. Certified nursing assistants work towards restoring health in the community. The duties, they perform in the patient care area, are sufficient to clarify that they work to preserve lives.

• Model good health habits

Certified nursing assistants must practice good health habits, according to the code of conduct. By doing so, you can set an example for patients. You must take good care of yourself, in order to take care of others. You should keep your own appearance clean, take a proper sleep as well as nutritious meals and exercise regularly. To ensure that the professionals are retaining a healthy lifestyle, periodic health checkups and spot drug inspections have to be done.

• HIPPA act

According to HIPPA act included in the health regulations, a CNA should protect patients’ privacy. They should maintain the confidentiality of both the patients and their families. This is also included in the federal rules. Besides this, discussing your personal business with patients is also not allowed according to the code of conduct and ethics. In only one case you can share the confidential information, i.e. when you feel that there is a situation of an abuse against your patient.

• No discrimination

Treating patients equally is the core ethical responsibility of a certified nursing assistant. No discrimination should be done on the basis of racial or sexual orientation, religious preference and age or gender. Nursing care must be on the same level with all the patients. Doing such a discrimination is unethical as well as unlawful.

• Commitment to continuing education

Certified nursing assistants must be always updated with the recent information and technologies of medical science. To do so, you must continue your education in this field and you should be loyal to your employer and patient. You can serve your patients better, by learning advanced medical treatments and procedures.

Benefit of codes of ethics

Being certified is not an easy task for a nursing assistant, due to these codes of ethics. For example: the individuals, who have any criminal background or any history of drug/alcohol abuse, are not licensed to start their professional career as a CNA. As a result of this, public is reassured that they are getting a safe and ethical care from competent CNA professionals.