Section 4: Practice of the profession

Nurses apply and respect medical prescriptions which, except in emergencies, are written, quantitative and qualitative, dated and signed. They ask the prescriber for further information whenever they consider it useful, particularly if they feel they have not been adequately informed. If the nurse has any doubts about the prescription, he checks it with the prescriber or, if this is not possible, with another member of the profession concerned. If it…

The nurse applies and complies with the protocols drawn up by the doctor in accordance with the provisions of articles R. 4311-7 and R. 4311-14. Whenever they consider it essential, nurses ask the doctor in charge to draw up a written, dated and signed protocol. In the event of the implementation of a written protocol of emergency care, or of protective acts performed until the intervention of a doctor, the…

When nurses take part in public information activities of an educational, scientific or health nature, whatever the means of dissemination, they only use confirmed data, exercise caution and are concerned about the repercussions of their comments on the public. They do not intend to profit from their contribution in the context of their professional activity, nor to benefit the organisations in which they work or to which they lend their…

In accordance with the law, in secondary schools, nurses may, in application of a national protocol laid down by decree, administer emergency contraception to minors and adults in cases of emergency. They provide psychological support for the pupil and ensure that medical follow-up is provided.

To guarantee the quality of the care they provide and patient safety, nurses have a duty to update and perfect their skills. They must take all necessary steps to meet their obligations in terms of continuing professional development.

Nurses must not disseminate in professional or medical circles a new nursing technique or procedure which has not been sufficiently tested, without accompanying this dissemination with the necessary reservations. Nurses also have a duty not to use new nursing techniques which would put the patient at undue risk.

During students’ clinical placements, the nurse shall ensure that the prior consent of the patient is obtained for the examination or care provided by or in the presence of the student. The student receiving such instruction must be informed beforehand by the nurse of the need to respect the rights of patients and the duties of nurses as set out in this Code of Ethics.

When using their experience or documents for teaching or scientific publication, nurses ensure that it is not possible to identify individuals.

It is forbidden to practise nursing under a pseudonym. A nurse who uses a pseudonym for activities relating to his or her profession must declare this to the Conseil Départemental de l’Ordre. Professionals acting in a private capacity under cover of a pseudonym are prohibited, regardless of the means of communication used, from claiming to be professionals without disclosing their identity.

Nurses who have links with companies and establishments producing or exploiting health products or with advisory bodies working on these products are obliged to make these links known to the public when they speak at a public event, university teaching or continuing education or therapeutic education activity, in the written or audiovisual press or via any written or online publication.