Ethics and Ethical Standards for Nurses & Midwives

Ethics and Ethical Standards for Nurses & Midwives is a CPD-accredited online course designed specifically for nurses and midwives working in the United Kingdom. The course supports registered nurses, midwives, and nursing associates in understanding and applying ethical principles in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements.

It is particularly relevant for professionals facing complaints, investigations, or fitness-to-practise processes, as well as those seeking to strengthen ethical judgement, professionalism, and patient trust in everyday nursing and midwifery practice.

Ethical concerns such as consent, confidentiality, honesty, professional boundaries, and the duty of candour are common causes of complaints and regulatory action within nursing and midwifery. The NMC expects registrants to practise with integrity, put people at the centre of care, and maintain public confidence in the profession.

This course provides clear, practical guidance on navigating ethical dilemmas, meeting NMC expectations, and responding appropriately when things go wrong — helping nurses and midwives reduce risk and demonstrate insight, accountability, and professionalism.

This course is suitable for UK-based nurses and midwives, including:

• Registered nurses across all fields of practice
• Midwives working in hospital, community, and independent settings
• Nursing associates (England)
• Nurses and midwives working in the National Health Service and the independent sector
• Professionals regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
• Practitioners facing complaints, investigations, fitness-to-practise proceedings, or remediation
• Nurses and midwives seeking CPD evidence for appraisal, revalidation, or employer or regulatory review

The course explores:

• The foundations of healthcare ethics and their relevance to nursing and midwifery
• Core ethical principles: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and confidentiality
• The role of the Nursing and Midwifery Council in setting and enforcing ethical standards
• The NMC Code and its application in everyday practice
• Informed consent and patient-centred decision-making
• Honesty, integrity, and the duty of candour
• Accurate documentation and ethical record-keeping
• Professional boundaries, including digital professionalism
• Common ethical breaches and their consequences
• NMC fitness-to-practise processes and regulatory outcomes
• Reflection, remediation, and continuous professional development

On successful completion of this course, participants will receive:

• CPD UK certified accreditation
• An accredited CPD certificate
• CPD evidence suitable for appraisal, revalidation, remediation, and professional portfolios

This course is aligned with the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s The Code and related ethical guidance.

It supports nurses and midwives in demonstrating ethical judgement, honesty, accountability, and fitness to practise — particularly where concerns have been raised about conduct, consent, confidentiality, or professional boundaries.

This online course is relevant to nurses and midwives working across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, in both National Health Service and independent healthcare settings.