A history of nursing's code of ethics.

This article has focused on the history of the code of ethics for nurses. The changes in the code intertwine with nursing's journey toward professionalism and reflect changes in nursing, society and health care. Over the years, however, the code has remained relatively stable. Six of the statements can be traced back to the 1926 code and five others to the revision of the code in 1960. The code of ethics has provided guidance for the profession, and has helped determine nursing's position as a profession in society.