Ethical Principles and Guidelines of Global Health Nursing Practice.

BACKGROUND: Nurses are among the many U.S. health professionals engaged in international learning or service experiences and often travel to low-resource countries lacking guidance for ethical practice, respect for host partners, or collaborative work in different health systems.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to develop evidence-based principles or guidelines for ethical global health nursing practice.

METHODS: A three-round Delphi study was conducted. Global health nurse experts participated in Round 1 focus group, followed by nurses with global health expertise ranking global health nursing statements in Rounds 2 and 3.

DISCUSSION: Findings led to 10 Ethical Principles for Global Health Nursing Practice and 30 statements for Ethical Guidelines in Global Health Nursing. These Ten principles address beneficence, nonmaleficence, dignity, respect, autonomy, social justice, and professional practice. The 30 guidelines offer more specific actions nurses must consider when working in global settings.