CNA recognizes the importance of a code for registered nurses that will foster high standards of nursing practice and promote quality patient care. The CNA Code for Registered Nurses reflects the principles inherent in the Florence Nightingale Pledge.

1. The nurse participates in the profession's efforts to implement and further the nurse's role of patient and consumer advocate;

2. The nurse provides services with respect for human dignity and the uniqueness of the patient unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status, nature of health problems, age, color, creed, disability, gender, lifestyle, nationality, race, religion, or sexual orientation;

3. The nurse safeguards the patients right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature;

4. The nurse acts to safeguard the patient and the public when health care and safety are affected by the incompetent, unethical, illegal or inappropriate practice of any person;

5. The nurse assumes responsibility and accountability for individual nursing judgements and actions;

6. The nurse maintains competence in nursing;

7. The nurse exercises informed judgement and uses individual competence and qualifications as criteria in seeking consultation, accepting responsibilities and assigning nursing activities based on the nurse's judgement;

8. The nurse participates in activities that contribute to the ongoing development of the profession's body of knowledge;

9. The nurse participates in the profession's efforts to implement and improve standards of nursing;

10. The nurse participates in the profession's efforts to establish and maintain conditions of employment conducive to high quality nursing care;

11. The nurse participates in the profession's effort to protect the public from misinformation and misrepresentation and to maintain the integrity of nursing;

12. The nurse collaborates with health care professionals, allied health care workers, health advocacy organizations, and health care consumers in protecting and promoting the advancement of human rights related to accessibility and quality of health care.