Identify potential ethical issues in patient care scenarios and articulate the principles of professional nursing ethics and human rights.

Acknowledge diverse patient values, cultural backgrounds, and preferences when discussing care options, demonstrating respect for human dignity.

Seek guidance from instructors or mentors when faced with ethical dilemmas, demonstrating an awareness of limitations in knowledge or experience.

Make ethical decisions while advocating for and delivering non-discriminatory, respectful care that upholds patient autonomy, confidentiality, and informed decision-making.

Resolve ethical dilemmas in collaboration with healthcare team members, using evidence-based frameworks and professional guidelines to guide decision-making.

Model professional comportment by consistently integrating ethical principles into interactions with patients, families, and colleagues, promoting a culture of respect and accountability.

9.1b Reflect on one’s actions and their consequences.

Describe specific actions and identify how individual actions impact patient outcomes or team dynamics.

Seek constructive feedback from instructors or peers to gain insight into areas for improvement in professional practice.

Acknowledge mistakes or missed opportunities during care delivery and explore strategies for improvement.

Analyze decisions, linking them to evidence-based practices and ethical considerations to identify strengths and areas for growth.

Adapt future actions by incorporating critical feedback and lessons from previous experiences, demonstrating accountability and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Engage in reflective discussions with peers and mentors, articulating how personal and professional growth supports effective patient care and teamwork.

9.1c Demonstrate ethical behaviors in practice.

Identify situations requiring ethical decision-making and describe appropriate actions to uphold ethical principles.

Follow established protocols and guidelines to ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards in patient care.

Acknowledge ethical dilemmas and seek guidance from instructors or mentors to understand appropriate courses of action.

Apply ethical principles consistently in clinical decision-making, ensuring patient care aligns with professional nursing standards and values.

Advocate for patients’ rights and well-being when ethical concerns arise.

Demonstrate integrity and accountability by addressing unethical practices or behaviors observed in clinical settings, utilizing appropriate channels for reporting and resolution.

9.1d Change behavior based on self and situational awareness.

Recognize personal emotions, biases, or stress levels during clinical experiences and describe their potential impact on interactions with patients or team members.

Adjust communication style or approach when responding to feedback or observing changes in patient needs or care priorities.

Seek input from peers or instructors to identify specific actions or behaviors that could improve performance in different situations.

Adapt real-time clinical practices and communication strategies to align with dynamic patient care needs, team dynamics, and environmental factors.

Demonstrate proactive problem-solving and flexibility by modifying approaches to address challenges or unexpected changes in clinical settings.

Incorporate self-reflection and situational analysis into decision-making, consistently improving the quality of care and fostering positive professional relationships.

9.1e Report unethical behaviors when observed.

Recognize situations where behaviors or practices deviate from ethical standards, identifying potential risks to patients, colleagues, or the profession.

Seek guidance from an instructor, mentor, or supervisor to confirm the unethical nature of observed behaviors and determine appropriate reporting channels.

Document observations of unethical behaviors clearly and objectively, ensuring accuracy and professionalism in preparing to report the issue.

Report unethical behaviors promptly and appropriately through established organizational or institutional channels, ensuring patient safety and professional integrity.

Advocate for transparency and accountability by addressing the ethical implications of the reported behavior in collaboration with healthcare team members or supervisors.

Support a culture of ethical practice by demonstrating professionalism and discretion.

9.1f Safeguard privacy, confidentiality, and autonomy in all interactions.

Describe the importance of maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality.

Obtain patient consent before sharing information with family or non-healthcare team members, demonstrating respect for autonomy.

Adhere to institutional policies and protocols regarding the secure handling of patient records, both digital and physical.

Implement strategies to safeguard patient information.

Advocate for patient autonomy by actively involving patients in care decisions and ensuring they fully understand and consent to interventions.

Model professional behavior by upholding the highest confidentiality and privacy standards.

9.1g Advocate for the individual’s right to self-determination.

Explain the concept of self-determination to patients, ensuring they understand their rights to make informed decisions about their care.

Respect patients’ preferences and values, even when they differ from the student’s beliefs or opinions.

Seek guidance from instructors or mentors when navigating situations where a patient’s right to self-determination may conflict with clinical recommendations.

Facilitate open and empathetic communication to support patients in expressing their values, goals, and preferences for care.

Collaborate with healthcare team members to ensure that care plans align with the patient’s informed choices, addressing any barriers to self-determination.

Identify ethical principles relevant to healthcare policies or practices.

Evaluate specific policies or practices to determine whether they align with professional nursing values and ethical guidelines.

Appraise institutional or healthcare policies by applying ethical frameworks to identify gaps or inconsistencies in addressing patient rights or equity.

Propose evidence-based recommendations to improve policies or practices, ensuring alignment with ethical standards and nursing values.

Demonstrate integrity and accountability by adhering to ethical guidelines in decision-making and patient care within clinical or leadership contexts.

Engage in reflective and collaborative problem-solving, exploring ethical dilemmas.

Foster a culture of trust and professionalism by consistently integrating ethical principles into clinical practice and team management.

Apply ethical frameworks to real-world scenarios, demonstrating advanced understanding and commitment to professional values.

Identify the ethical principles violated when unethical behaviors are observed and describe their potential impact on patient care and professional integrity.

Collaborate with instructors or mentors to develop appropriate strategies for addressing unethical behaviors constructively.

Develop actionable, evidence-based solutions to address unethical behaviors, ensuring alignment with professional guidelines and organizational policies.

Facilitate open discussions among team members to explore ethical concerns and collaboratively identify strategies to resolve issues and prevent recurrence.

Recognize the ethical dilemma and seek guidance from faculty, mentors, or institutional ethics committees to understand possible solutions and responsibilities.

Reflect on personal values and biases when faced with ethical dilemmas, identifying how they may influence decision-making and patient care.

Acknowledge the need for collaboration and seek input from interdisciplinary team members to help resolve ethical issues in patient care.

Take initiative to identify and address ethical dilemmas in practice, assuming responsibility for navigating the issue and working toward a resolution in collaboration with others.

Advocate for patient-centered care by considering all ethical perspectives and making decisions that align with professional values, patient autonomy, and best practices.

Lead discussions on ethical dilemmas in team settings, facilitating critical thinking and providing evidence-based recommendations for resolution while assuming responsibility for the outcomes of decisions.

Observe patients’ verbal and non-verbal cues and respond empathetically to foster a deeper understanding of their needs and concerns.

Engage in active listening during patient interactions.

Seek opportunities to refine communication skills to enhance patient-centered interactions. 

Demonstrate active, empathetic listening and mindfulness in patient interactions, ensuring patients feel heard and understood.

Use verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to promote mutual understanding and clarify patient concerns.

Foster trust and therapeutic relationships by being fully present, addressing both emotional and physical aspects of care in a manner that respects patient dignity and perspectives.

Exhibit empathy by acknowledging patients’ emotions and offering comfort through kind words and actions during care.

Demonstrate attentiveness to patient needs by proactively offering assistance and reassurance throughout the care process.

Provide holistic care by addressing the physical and emotional aspects of patient well-being, ensuring a therapeutic and compassionate presence.

Advocate for patient comfort and well-being by anticipating needs, providing emotional support, and encouraging active participation in care decisions to promote empowerment and healing.

Seek to understand each patient’s unique perspectives and the potential impact of their experiences on care.

Use empathetic statements to build rapport while maintaining professional boundaries.  

Align communication approaches with the patient’s emotional state and background, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and respect.

Collaborate with patients to develop individualized care plans that reflect their values, experiences, and preferences.

Recognize and respond to emotional or psychological distress by offering appropriate support and resources.

Acknowledge and respect patient differences, demonstrating awareness of diverse clinical needs.

Ensure inclusive care practices by accommodating patients’ cultural, religious, and personal values.

Promote equitable access to care by advocating for policies and practices that address social determinants of health.

Foster an inclusive healthcare environment by championing diverse perspectives within healthcare teams and decision-making processes.

Engage in respectful conversations with patients to understand their cultural perspectives, values, and beliefs.

Reflect on personal biases and recognize their impact on patient interactions.

Adapt communication and care approaches to respect cultural norms and individual preferences.

Integrate patients’ cultural practices into care plans while balancing clinical needs and evidence-based practice.

Identify and address systemic barriers to culturally appropriate care, advocating for policy improvements where needed.

Seek input from patients and families to ensure care aligns with their cultural values, demonstrating respect and humility throughout the process.

Establish rapport with patients by demonstrating approachability and respect.

Ensure that all interactions remain patient-centered, limit self-disclosure, and maintain professional focus. Identify and address potential boundary violations.

Communicate the nurse’s role to patients and families, reinforcing professional expectations. 

Maintain trust by consistently exhibiting reliability, empathy, and professionalism.

Identify and address potential boundary violations.

Uphold and reinforce professional boundaries when collaborating with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams.

Use clear, concise, and respectful language in all communications with patients, families, and healthcare team members.

Demonstrate active listening skills and ensure understanding in patient interactions.

Document patient care and interactions using appropriate medical terminology and formats. 

Modify communication strategies to engage diverse audiences effectively.

Address misunderstandings or conflicts with a respectful and solutions-focused approach.

Provide constructive and actionable feedback to peers while fostering a supportive team environment.

Allocate dedicated time for focused, uninterrupted patient interactions to foster trust and enhance well-being.

Use open body language and maintain eye contact to demonstrate engagement and attentiveness.

Incorporate mindful presence into daily nursing practice, minimizing distractions during patient care.

Model and share techniques for enhancing patient-centered interactions with colleagues and students.

Organize workflows that support the integration of intentional presence in nursing practice.

Seek and appraise scholarly literature on evidence-based practices that enhance person-centered care.

Participate in interdisciplinary projects to align care delivery with patients’ preferences and values.

Explore emerging healthcare technologies that have the potential to enhance patient-centered care.

Design and propose innovative care models or interventions tailored to patient needs and clinical contexts.

Facilitate interdisciplinary team discussions to assess the effectiveness of implemented practices and refine them based on patient outcomes and feedback.

Identify and address disparities in healthcare access, outcomes, or treatment through team discussions and advocacy.

Encourage the inclusion of diverse voices in care planning and policy development.

Participate in ongoing education to enhance understanding of cultural humility and equity in healthcare.

Model equitable health promotion practices in both clinical and educational settings.

Implement strategies to mitigate bias and promote equitable patient care and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Propose educational programs to support cultural humility and equity in healthcare.

Maintain clear professional boundaries by focusing interactions on patient-centered care.

Take accountability for maintaining professional integrity in all patient interactions.

Create a supportive and respectful care environment that prioritizes patient autonomy and collaboration.

Reinforce professional behavior and expectations in therapeutic relationships and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Address and resolve concerns that may compromise the therapeutic alliance.

Advocate for institutional policies and educational initiatives that uphold professional standards in therapeutic relationships.

Encourage individuals to share their goals, preferences, and concerns during care planning.

Adjust communication techniques to meet the diverse needs of patients with varying health literacy or cultural backgrounds.

Engage patients, families, and care teams in collaborative decision-making processes.

Ensure that all stakeholders in the care process are effectively engaged and understand their roles.

Advocate for healthcare systems and workflows that support participatory communication as a standard practice.

Recognize situations where an individual’s or community’s needs are unmet and bring these to the attention of faculty or team members.

Contribute to care planning conversations, prioritizing the best interests of patients or communities.

Encourage patients to voice their needs and preferences during care planning while providing information to support informed decision-making.

Advocate when care plans do not align with individual needs, using evidence-based reasoning to support recommendations.

Facilitate connections between patients and appropriate community services or support networks to address broader determinants of health.

Collaborate on initiatives or campaigns highlighting nursing’s role in advancing patient outcomes and public health.

Identify potential hazards or errors in clinical settings and communicate these observations to a supervisor or faculty member.

Seek advice from experienced professionals when unsure about the best course of action regarding a safety concern.

Report actual or potential hazards, unsafe practices, or errors through appropriate channels without hesitation.

Collaborate on initiatives to improve safety and minimize risk.

Support a culture of openness by modeling and promoting the importance of speaking up about safety concerns.

Follow institutional and professional codes of conduct in all academic and clinical activities.

Acknowledge errors promptly and honestly, seeking opportunities to learn from them.

Identify components of ethical communication. 

Model ethical principles in personal and professional endeavors.

Promote a culture of accountability by encouraging self and peers to take responsibility for their actions.

Model consistent, transparent, and ethical communication.

Identify one’s role and responsibilities in the practice setting.

Complete assigned duties efficiently and report to supervisors or team members as needed.

Seek feedback to improve practice.

Demonstrate accountability for all aspects of care delivery and patient outcomes.

Evaluate the results of nursing actions, aiming to improve care delivery and outcomes.

Incorporate constructive input to enhance performance.

Attend professional activities or organizational meetings aligned with professional development goals and areas of interest.

Participate in public or community events related to the nursing profession.

Use courteous and professional language when interacting with patients, peers, and team members.

Engage in active listening to support understanding of others’ preferences and beliefs.

Recognize incivility and discuss concerns with the team.

Demonstrate respect and professionalism in all interactions.

Advocate for the resolution of incivility to foster mutual respect.

Propose strategies to promote civility.

Observe and report disparities in care delivery or outcomes among diverse patient populations.

Participate in care practices that account for cultural, social, and economic differences.

Propose policy or practice changes that address health inequities and promote access to care.

Assess peer performance and share observations in a supportive, non-judgmental manner.

Accept feedback to inform professional development and skill enhancement.

Integrate feedback to improve personal performance and understanding.

Provide actionable feedback to peers, focusing on their professional growth.

Discuss the role of evidence-based nursing standards in achieving optimal care outcomes during team meetings or case studies.

Promote adherence to professional responsibilities that directly impact patient safety and care quality.

Participate in professional activities and organizations to gain insight into leadership opportunities and decision-making processes.

Share ideas and perspectives during discussions to ensure nursing’s voice is represented in professional forums.

Communicate observed safety risks or errors to appropriate team members to support timely resolution.

Analyze adverse events to identify contributing factors and propose preventive strategies. 

Develop and integrate strategies into practice to mitigate identified hazards or errors.

Advocate for evidence-based organizational changes to enhance patient safety and reduce errors.

Articulate one’s role in contributing to patient outcomes.

Monitor care outcomes and communicate areas for improvement to the team.

Evaluate care outcomes and create improvement plans, emphasizing team accountability.

Demonstrate consistency in personal and team accountability.

Recognize health inequities within patient populations.

Evaluate organizational policies that address social determinants of health and reduce barriers to care.

Integrate an understanding of systemic inequities in healthcare delivery and access into practice.

Promote social justice with policymakers, organizations, and community leaders.

Recognize behaviors that undermine a respectful environment.

Promote active listening and thoughtful communication during team discussions.

Model mutual respect and understanding when confronted with conflict.

Advocate for civility and proactively address incivility.

Participate in joint projects or committees that unite nursing with other healthcare disciplines.

Suggest new ideas for collaborative activities that enhance professional growth across disciplines.

Evaluate healthcare policies and their impact on patient health.

Contribute to efforts to influence healthcare policies to improve health.

Discuss the registered nurse (RN) scope and standards of practice.

Identify potential risks of violating the RN’s scope and standards of practice.

Provide care that aligns with the RN's scope and standards of practice.

Propose solutions to address risks of violating the RN’s scope and standards of practice.

Identify policies and regulatory requirements that guide nursing practice.

Adhere to institutional, legal, and regulatory requirements.

Articulate barriers that limit nurses from practicing to the full scope of their education and training.

Engage in academic or organizational dialogues about policy gaps that hinder advanced nursing practice.

Investigate current policies affecting the nursing scope of practice and evaluate their alignment with professional competencies.

Communicate with healthcare stakeholders on the importance of policy changes that allow nurses to utilize their full expertise.

Advocate for adherence to scope-of-practice standards.

Identify key regulatory requirements and their influence on quality metrics and healthcare costs.

Review healthcare performance data to identify trends and correlations with regulatory compliance.

Evaluate the impact of regulatory standards on financial outcomes.

Assess how regulatory requirements impact an organization’s quality and value-based indicators.

Propose evidence-based solutions to align regulatory compliance with enhanced patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

Integrate regulatory standards with quality improvement initiatives to improve healthcare quality, fiscal responsibility, and value-based indicators.

Identify how specific legal and regulatory policies influence nursing workflows and patient care delivery.

Evaluate the implications of existing policies on healthcare outcomes.

Analyze patient data to assess regulatory compliance’s direct and indirect effects on outcomes.

Lead evaluations of legal and regulatory policies, providing actionable insights into their effects on nursing and patient care outcomes.

Propose refinements to policies based on evidence of their impact on nursing practice and health outcomes.

Use outcome data to advocate for policy changes that enhance nursing practice and patient care quality.

Research ongoing efforts to modify legal or regulatory policies related to nursing and healthcare.

Review proposed policy changes, providing feedback on their potential to enhance nursing practice and health outcomes.

Organize and lead initiatives to support changes in legal or regulatory policies that benefit nursing and healthcare.

Evaluate implications of policy changes for nursing practice and health outcomes.

Participate in policy implementation within organizational settings.

Recognize potential challenges in applying new policies or regulations in practice environments.

Evaluate the implementation of new policies or regulations in organizational settings.

Track adherence to newly implemented policies and evaluate their impact on practice environments and patient outcomes.

Articulate how nursing contributes to patient outcomes and team efficiency.

9.5b Demonstrate the core values of professional nursing identity.

Describe the core values of professional nursing.

Model core values of professional nursing in practice.

9.5c Demonstrate sensitivity to the values of others.

Ask thoughtful, open-ended questions about the values and beliefs of others.

Describe differences in cultural, social, and personal values.

Integrate cultural awareness into communication and respect the preferences and values of others.

9.5d Demonstrate ethical comportment and moral courage in decision making and actions.

Describe ethical comportment in nursing.

Describe moral courage in nursing.

Explain how ethical comportment and moral courage influence decision-making.

Adhere to the ANA Code of Ethics and institutional clinical policies.

Use moral courage to address unethical practices or situations.

9.5e Demonstrate emotional intelligence.

Define emotional intelligence and its relevance to nursing practice.

Describe the impact of emotional intelligence on nursing practice.

Practice self-awareness and self-regulation in professional situations.

Use emotional intelligence to mediate conflicts effectively.

Describe the professional identity of nursing.

Communicate the nursing profession's unique identity in policy discussions, public forums, or interdisciplinary collaborations.

Assess the presence of core values in practice environments.

Propose initiatives or interventions that enhance integrating nursing values within practice settings.

Identify ethical challenges in nursing practice.

Initiate conversations to address ethical challenges in nursing practice.

Provide guidance and resources to team members to address ethical challenges.

Identify professional organizations that align with individual nursing practice interests.

Sustain active student membership in a local, state, or national nursing professional organization.

Engage in professional nursing organizations to support ongoing professional development and advocacy efforts.

Recognize cultural differences, values, beliefs, and preferences when interacting with patients and their families.

Use language and tone that are inclusive and considerate of patients’ cultural or linguistic needs.

Identify patients' unique backgrounds and experiences to provide individualized care.

Integrate patients’ cultural, spiritual, and personal preferences into plans of care to meet their needs holistically.

Advocate for patients and communities by leading initiatives that address health disparities.

Articulate how personal values or biases affect professional practice.

Seek guidance to support equitable care and reduce bias in practice.

Compare how personal values align with or differ from professional expectations.

Identify social and structural factors that contribute to health disparities within patient populations.

Treat all people with dignity and respect.

Advocate for patient autonomy and informed decision-making.

Mitigate social and structural factors that influence health disparities through informed care strategies.

Integrate social justice principles into clinical decisions.

9.6d Model respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion for all team members.

Use respectful and culturally appropriate language in all interactions.

Seek input from all team members to foster an inclusive decision-making process.

Address biased comments or actions within the team through education and constructive dialogue.

Develop and facilitate discussions to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare.

Collaborate to implement policies or practices that address inequities within healthcare systems.

Describe how nursing values are upheld in clinical practice.

Set development goals to strengthen adherence to nursing values.

Evaluate how personal and professional actions reflect nursing’s core values.

Address gaps in adherence to nursing’s values.

Implement strategies to align personal practice with professional values.

Identify how workplace policies and practices shape perceptions of nursing’s professional identity.

Develop strategies to address structural or cultural barriers affecting professional identity.

Compare and contrast care delivery with nursing’s core values.

Model nursing’s core values in care delivery, ensuring alignment with ethical and professional standards.

Recognize the need for culturally and linguistically appropriate care practices.

Design and implement workflows or policies that ensure culturally and linguistically responsive care.

Identify moral, legal, and ethical guidelines relevant to nursing practice.

Recognize and address moral, legal, or ethical infractions in healthcare settings.

Implement moral, legal, and ethical guidelines in professional practice.

Seek guidance for addressing practice infractions to uphold ethical standards.