Which frameworks guide the Nurse Coach in ethics?

• A. The Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (ANA, 2008) and the Position Statement on Holistic Nursing Ethics (AHNA, 2007).
• B. Only the organization's internal policies.
• C. No ethical framework is used.
• D. The standard medical ethics guidelines only.

Answer: (A)

Ethical guidance for Nurse Coaches comes from professional standards that shape nursing practice across settings. The Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements from the American Nurses Association provides the core commitments—respect for patient dignity, confidentiality, informed consent, advocacy, and integrity—building a foundation for ethical decisions in every encounter. The Position Statement on Holistic Nursing Ethics from the American Holistic Nurses Association adds a crucial dimension by explicitly guiding care that attends to physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and cultural aspects of the person, recognizing how these interconnected elements influence healing and well-being.

Using both frameworks together gives a comprehensive ethical map: the ANA code anchors duties and rights within nursing, while the holistic ethics statement ensures that care is person-centered and contextually attentive to the whole being. Relying solely on internal policies may align with organizational rules but can miss broader professional obligations and holistic considerations. Relying only on standard medical ethics guidelines can overlook nursing-specific roles, scope of practice, and the holistic approach nurses bring to care.