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A conflict of interest occurs when a nurse’s personal, business, commercial, political, academic or financial interests, or the interests of the nurse’s family or friends, interfere with the nurse’s professional responsibilities or a client’s best interests.

Practice Standard  

Case studies

Relevant discipline decisions

Resources

Use careful judgment when determining whether to accept a gift of this sort. Consider:

  • the motives of the giver
  • any constraints, conditions, or obligations attached to the gift
  • the potential for a conflict of interest
  • organizational policy

Gifts from commercial sources have the potential to create an obligation and a loss of objectivity.

For example, could this funding influence the content or activities of the nursing education? Or could the funding influence the products you choose to use or recommend? Identifying and discussing the issues will help raise awareness of possible conflicts and assist in your decision-making.

The Conflict of Interest practice standard provides more information and direction.​

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