Ethical principles, sensitivity, and caring behaviors among nursing students: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

It is extremely important for nursing students to adopt ethical principles during their education, to recognize ethical dilemmas, to develop ethical sensitivity and compassionate care behaviors in order to prepare them for a complex and challenging working environment.

AIM

This research was conducted to examine the relationship between attitudes towards ethical principles, ethical sensitivity and caring behaviors among nursing students.

DESIGN

Quantitative and cross-sectional research.

METHODS

The study was conducted in the nursing program of a state university in Türkiye. Data were gathered utilizing a personal information form, the Ethical Principles Attitude Scale (EPAS), the Ethical Sensitivity Questionnaire for Nursing Students (ESQ-NS), and the Caring Behaviors Assessment Tool Nursing Version-Short Form (CBAN-SF).

RESULTS

This study revealed that the mean EPAS score for nursing students was 143.5 ± 14.3, the mean ESQ-NS score was 39.1 ± 4.6, and the mean CBAN-SF score was 117.6 ± 13.3. A positive, moderate, and substantial connection was identified between EPAS and ESQ-NS (r = 0.443) as well as CBAN-SF (r = 0.533). Moreover, views about ethical principles were identified as predictors of ethical sensitivity and compassionate behaviors in nursing students; a one-unit increase in the EPAS score led to a 19% variation in the ESQ-NS score and a 28% variation in the CBAN-SF score.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed that an enhancement in nursing students' attitudes towards ethical principles correlated with an improvement in their ethical sensitivity and a more positive perception of their own caring activities.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.