The American Nurses Association (ANA) released the "Voluntary Code of Ethical Conduct for the Recruitment of Foreign-Educated Nurses to the United States" on September 8, 2008. This document was developed by the ANA, unions, health care organizations, educational and licensure bodies, and recruiters in an effort to protect the ever-increasing numbers of foreign nurses being recruited to work in the U.S. from abusive employment practices. The code is designed to increase transparency and accountability throughout the recruitment process. Additionally, the code provides health care organizations and recruiters with strategies to ensure recruitment is not harmful to source countries.

The code attempts to balance the individual and collective interests of nurses, source countries, and employers of the destination country in an effort to maximize benefits and reduce harm to all parties involved. The code addresses minimum fair labor standards, civil rights, age discrimination, equal pay, family leave, and medical leave. Emphasis is also placed on guidelines relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the Immigration and Nationality Act. The code defines current labor demands and education requirements. The voluntary code also addresses specific employer, employment location and service duties; contract, immigration and labor practices; professional support; and practical support for daily living. Best practices by recruiters and employers are also presented.

Source: The full text of the ANA Code of Ethical Conduct for the Recruitment of Foreign Educated Nurses can be found at:http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ThePracticeofProfessionalNursing/