Human rights guidelines for nurses in clinical and other research. No. D-46.

The American Nurses' Association in establishing a Commission on Nursing Research publicly reaffirmed the nursing profession's obligation to support the advancement of scientific knowledge toward the achievement of imporved nursing practice and better patient care. In taking this step the organization accepted a commitment to support two sets of human rights. One set is concerned with the rights of qualified nurses (those with research preparation to engage in research and to have access to resources necessary for implementing scientific investigations. The other deals with the human rights of all persons who are recipients of health care services or are participants in research performed by investigators whose studies impinge on the patient care provided by nurses. The need for the establishment of human rights guidelines for nurses came as a result of social and technical changes that altered nursing and nursing practice.