title: [Conscientious objection: reflections for nursing in Portugal].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss conscientious objection in nursing, identifying the ethic and legal basis for this decision-making.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative study in which the methodology used was ethical reflection based on a legal analysis of the laws in question, proceeding to a bibliographical and documentary research
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Portuguese law and ethical pillars that form the basis of the Code of Ethics of nurses in Portugal defend the freedom of conscience as a professional practice. However, the obligation to protect human life, which imposes the need for coordination between this protection and the exercise of the right to conscientious objection on the part of the nurse, is also clear.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paço
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sérgio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deodato
mesh_terms: D003242:Conscience; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D007884:Legislation, Nursing; D011174:Portugal