Your Code Of Conduct Applies To Your Personal Life, UK

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 21 Nov 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The NMC would like to remind nurses and midwives that they are personally accountable for their actions at all times, including how they behave in their personal life.

In 2007-2008, nearly 15 percent of Fitness to Practise hearings related to allegations of misconduct that occurred outside the workplace. These included motoring offences, drug and alcohol related offences, manslaughter, bullying and breaching confidentiality.

It's important to remember that you are equally responsible for upholding your Code of Conduct in your personal and professional life.

Social networking sites

Used properly, social networking sites such as Facebook are a great way to find old friends, join interest groups and share information. However, nurses and midwives should remember that anything posted on a social networking site is in the public domain.

What may be considered to be letting off steam about a situation at work can potentially be read by someone who may take offence at the content of a posting.

Nurses and midwives could be putting their registration at risk if posting inappropriate comments about colleagues or patients or posting any material that could be considered explicit.

Nursing & Midwifery Council