BB FANS

The nurses’ code of conduct is to be updated soon, making it easier to understand, it was reported today.

All nurses must follow the Nursing and Midwifery Council guidelines, which as of April will cover the accountability of off-duty nurses, awareness of gay and lesbian patients’ needs, and whether nurses can accept gifts or cash from patients.

A new version of the Code of Professional Conduct: Standards for Conduct, Performance and Ethics will be published by the NMC following consultation with nurses, unions and other groups.

This week’s Nursing Standard suggests the new code will help in cases such as Channel 4’s Big Brother contestant, the Zimbabwean nurse Makosi Musambasi who was accused of bringing nursing into disrepute. Controversy also surrounded another nurse, Sarah Bell, when she publicly supported fox hunting wearing her uniform.

Joe Nichols of the NMC said the council is often asked for further advice believes the code currently "does not respond clearly to practice dilemmas and public protection concerns".

"Although our existing code normally covers the nurses’ dilemmas there can sometimes be confusion, or the code can be interpreted in different ways."

Senior clinical nurse and ethics expert Jo Birrell is keen for nurses to take note of the updated version of the code. "If it is more relevant and accessible then nurses will be encouraged to refer to it on a regular basis," she said.

Date: January 4th 2006
Staffnurse

Didn't like Makosi - boy did I not like her.

But nursing is a job....and I can't see how Madcowsee's exploits in BB brought nursing into disrepute.

What she does in her free time is her own business (and I wish she'd keep it to herself)

Time was when teachers would have been afraid to be gay, or to live with someone without being married to them. Nowadays, it seems, anything goes.

I think that as long as people aren't breaking the law, or behaving inappropriately with people who are supposed to be in their care, then their private life is their own business. If ONLY Makosi hadn't made us so aware of her private life!!! But it's a bit outdated for nurses to have to worry about bringing their profession into disrepute when they are not actually AT work.

I saw the "what the housemates did next" and the only thing I saw being brought into disrepute by Moloko was Moloko. Shes unflappably self assured / arrogant.

Personally, I dont care what your job, its a job, and when you are off duty then what you do should be your own business.

*nodding*

I agree too what you do in your off duty should not be anyone's business.

It's like being back at school and being told to wear your hat or you would bring the school into disrepute!!

People get told that nowadays for wearing hats in school Mind you, they aren't like school hats.