How do ethically competent nurses behave in clinical nursing practice? A qualitative study

Decent work and ethical ideologies of nurses-A multicenter cross-sectional study

Background: Although research has established that the work environment significantly shapes nurses' ethical behavior, it's less clear whether decent work could influence ethical ideologies of nurses. Aim: To investigate the decent work conditions and ethical ideologies of nurses, and to analyze whether decent work influences their ethical ideologies. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted among 203 nurses working in three tertiary governmental hospitals across two cities in Egypt. We utilized the Scale of Decent Work, which consists of 15 items distributed across five dimensions, to assess the level of decent work conditions. Additionally, the Ethics Position Questionnaire, containing 20 items divided into two categories-idealism and relativism-was used to evaluate the ethical ideologies of nurses. Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses were applied to analyze the data. Ethical considerations: Ethical approval from the ethics committee, institutional permission, and informed consent from the participants were obtained for data collection. Results: The findings indicated that the levels of decent work conditions were moderate, while the ethical ideologies of nurses were relatively high. Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses revealed that the idealism of nurses was significantly predicted by two dimensions of decent work-organizational values, and hours allowing for free time and rest-along with the overall decent work score. Meanwhile, the relativism of nurses was significantly predicted by the presence of physically and interpersonally safe working conditions. Conclusions: Nurses experiencing decent work conditions characterized by high organizational values and adequate hours for free time and rest are more inclined to adopt idealistic ethical ideology. Meanwhile, those experiencing physically and interpersonally safe working conditions tend to embrace relativistic ethical ideology. Implications for clinical practice: Identifying the relationship between decent work conditions and the ethical ideologies of nurses can assist hospital administrators in fostering work conditions that promote appropriate ethical ideologies among nurses.

Ethical climate, moral resilience, and ethical competence of head nurses

BACKGROUND

The ethical competence of head nurses plays a pivotal role in nursing ethics. Ethical climate is a prerequisite for ethical competence, and moral resilience can positively influence an individual's ethical competence. However, few studies have focused on the relationship between ethical climate, moral resilience, and ethical competence among them.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationship between ethical climate, moral resilience, and ethical competence, and examine the mediating role of moral resilience between ethical climate and ethical competence among head nurses.

DESIGN

A quantitative, cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A total of 309 Chinese head nurses completed an online survey, including ethical climate questionnaire, Rushton moral resilience scale, and ethical competence questionnaire. Inferential statistical analysis includes Pearson's correlation and a structural equation model.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

This study received ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board of Xiangya Nursing School of Central South University (No. E2023146).

RESULTS

Head nurses' ethical climate score positively impacted ethical competence (r = 0.208, p < .001), and ethical climate could affect ethical competence through the mediating role of moral resilience.

CONCLUSION

This study emphasized the value of ethical climate in moral resilience of head nurses, ultimately leading to an enhancement in their ethical competence.

The relationship between professional values, ethical sensitivities and caring behaviors among nursing students: A structural equation modeling approach

AIM

To examine the relationship between professional values, ethical sensitivity and caring behaviors among nursing students and determine whether professional values play a moderator role in the relationship between ethical sensitivity and caring behaviors among nursing students.

BACKGROUND

Developing professional nursing values, ethical sensitivity and caring behaviors is critical in nursing programs from the first year to graduation to prepare students for increasingly complex and diverse work environments.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study using structural equation modeling. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist was used.

METHODS

This study was conducted with 189 undergraduate nursing students. The study was conducted in a four-year nursing faculty in the Mediterranean region of Turkey from February to June 2022. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Nurses' Professional Values Scale, the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire and the Caring Behaviors Assessment Tool Nursing Version-Short Form.

RESULTS

We found that nursing students' perceptions of professional values and caring behaviors were high and their ethical sensitivity was moderate. Nursing students who are successful in high school have higher professional values. In addition, it was determined that nursing students who chose the nursing profession because of altruism had higher perceptions of caring behaviors. A positive relationship exists between professional values, ethical sensitivity (r = -0.258, p < 0.001) and caring behaviors (r = 0.431, p < 0.001) (p < 0.05). Professional values have a positive effect on ethical sensitivity and caring behaviors.

CONCLUSION

Professional values, ethical sensitivity and caring behaviors are relationships and professional values positively predict nursing students' ethical sensitivities and caring behaviors. As the professional value perceptions of nursing students increase, their ethical sensitivity and caring behaviors increase. Improving the curricula in a way that will improve professional values may enable nursing students to increase their ethical sensitivity and caring behaviors. The research contributes to a broader understanding of nursing education curriculum content.