Final answer:
The Code of Ethics of the American Nurses Association is a moral statement of accountability for practicing and student nurses, serving as a guide for ethical conduct in the nursing profession.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Code of Ethics of the American Nurses Association is best described by option 1: A moral statement of accountability for practicing nurses and for student nurses. This code serves as a foundational document that guides nurses in their professional conduct, outlining the ethical principles and values essential to the nursing profession. Nurses are expected to integrate these ethical standards into their practice to ensure responsible and morally sound patient care and professional behavior.
Professional organizations, including those in healthcare and nursing, provide codes of ethics to guide the conduct of their members. These codes articulate the profession's commitment to uphold ethical standards and offer a framework within which nurses are expected to operate, thereby promoting integrity and ethical decision-making in all aspects of their work. Unlike legal documents, codes of ethics are not legally binding but serve as a basis for professional self-regulation and accountability.