Showing 76 results for Nursing
Talieh Khalifi, Naimeh Seyedfatemi, Marjan Mardani - Hamooleh, Hamid Haghani,
Volume 11, Issue 0 (3-2018)
Abstract
Spiritual health (SH) is a supernatural force and endeavor to achieve perfection and peace of mind in life.When it is endangered, a person experiences loss of meaning in life. In nursing, caring services and SH are related to each other. It is necessary to promote the SH of nurses so that patients will receive better care. The study aim was the effect of spiritual education on SH of nursing students. In this quasi-experimental study, 76 of undergraduate nursing students were selected using random simple sampling method and divided into experimental group (EG) and control group (CG) (n= 38) with random allocation method. Educational intervention was done for the EG for a period of 4 weeks, a 60-minute session per week, but no intervention was performed for the CG. Four weeks after the intervention, the post-test was taken in 2 groups. Data were collected using the SH scale by Paloutzian and Ellison. Independent t-test didn’t indicate any difference before the intervention in the mean score of SH in 2 groups (t=-0.49, p=0.62), while in the post-test, the independent t-test indicated the mean score of SH was higher in the EG than in the CG (t=-2.14, p<0.03). After the intervention, there was a significant increase in the SH (t=-4.39, p<0.001) in the EG. The paired t-test indicated no difference in the SH in the CG compared to the pre and post-test (t=-0.25, p<0.79). Spritual education influenced SH of nursing students. It is recommended that spiritual education be considered as one of the strategies for promoting SH in students.
Marjan Mardani - Hamooleh, Masoomeh Ahmadi, Naimeh Seyedfatemi, Hamid Haghani,
Volume 11, Issue 0 (3-2018)
Abstract
Empathy is considered an essential prerequisite for a nurse to effectively care for a patient. Also, spirituality is an important component in nurse-patient relationships. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between empathy and spiritual attitude among nursing students. In this descriptive and correlation study, the samples consisted of 272 nursing students that were studying in 3 Medical Sciences Universities in Tehran, 2017. Samples were selected through convenience sampling method. Data were collected by demographics’ data form, validated and reliable scales of empathy and spiritual attitude. Data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical (Pearson Coefficient, Independent T test, and ANOVA) statistics. The students had a mean empathy score of 106.982 ± 14.65 that this was more than median scores of scale (60). Furthermore, they had a spiritual attitude score of 115.79 ± 15.8 that this was more than median scores of scale (86). Findings indicated that a significant relationship between empathy and spiritual attitude among nursing students (r=.265, p=.0001). Gender, educational level, interest in nursing, work status, and the average score of the previous term had significant relationships with empathy (P < 0.05). Interest in nursing and work status had significant relationships with spiritual attitude (P < 0.05).Research findings support the hypothesis of association between empathy and spiritual attitude. Since empathy has a significant relationship with spiritual attitude, it seems that nursing students’ empathy will increase by promoting their spiritual attitude.
Zohre Kohansal, Nosrat Avaznejad, Behnaz Bagherian, Faezeh Jahanpour,
Volume 11, Issue 0 (3-2018)
Abstract
Nurses need to be familiar with the ethical issues of nursing and its sensitivity to all communications and interventions with patients. This sensitivity as a basis for nursing ethics should be considered from the beginning of nursing education. This study aimed to investigate the moral sensitivity of nursing students of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the ethical sensitivity of 73 nursing students using standard questionnaire of ethical sensitivity of nurses in decision-making. Its validity and reliability were confirmed in previous studies (α=0.8). Dimensions of the questionnaire were: amount of respect for patient independence, level of knowledge about the relationship with the patient, level of professional knowledge, experience of difficulties and ethical conflicts, and the use of ethical concepts in ethical decision-making, honesty and benevolence. 0-50 were considered as low moral sensitivity, 50-75 as moderate, and 75-100 as high. All nursing students of the third and eighth semester were enrolled in the census in 2016. The average students' moral sensitivity was moderate (68.15±13.99). The highest average was for "honesty and benevolence", and the least for "professional knowledge" and "the use of ethical concepts in moral decision-making". The average moral sensitivity of the eighth semester students was higher than the third semester. There was a significantly relationship between students' moral sensitivity and academic term (p=0.000). Low ethical sensitivity in nurses leads to inappropriate decision-making; therefore, appropriate educational programs should be considered to increase the moral sensitivity of nurses and nursing students from the beginning of education.
Reza Bayattork, Alma Alikhah, Fatemeh Alitaneh, Zahra Mostafavian, Arezou Farajpour,
Volume 11, Issue 0 (3-2018)
Abstract
Today, health care providers are moving toward becoming professionals, so only academic knowledge and skills are not enough in complex medical environments, morality is an integral part of medical decision making and paying no attention to it may have adverse effects on quality of care. This Research investigated the moral intelligence and its relative demographic factors between medical and nursing students. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 214 students were selected by census sampling. Data were collected by using Kiel & lennik questionnaire which its reliability is reported as r=0.94 and has been validated in previous studies. The mean age of students was 21.79±2.82 years. The moral intelligence mean scores in medical and nurse students were 76.44±7.10 and 74.07±8.26, respectively. There was no significant relation between demographic factors and moral intelligence scores but there was significant difference among nursing and medical (p=0.025) and the first and last year students (p=0.002). Trustworthy domain was significantly higher in medical students (p=0.003). Although the results indicate that the students' moral intelligence score is in good condition, this situation can be upgraded to be very good and excellent. The significant difference in the score of moral intelligence in first and last year students shows the effect of educational curriculum. There was significant difference in the scores of medical and nursing groups. So, the educational climate and curriculums can effect on moral intelligence development. Therefore, considering the proven effect of moral intelligence on the quality of professional performance, ethical dimensions, and professionalism in clinical education should be emphasized, evaluated, and monitored more than ever.
Afrooz Korzebor, Kobra Rashidi, Rezvan Moradi, Shirin Pirzad, Mahdi Birjandi,
Volume 12, Issue 0 (3-2019)
Abstract
Capacity, positive attitude, and proper nurses' function in dealing with death are greatly influenced by their religious beliefs. An important religious variable, the type of internal religious orientation (Implementing religious beliefs in all behaviors and practices) and the external (Using Religious Beliefs to Achieve Material Objectives). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between religious orientation and nursing students' attitude towards death. The study had a cross-sectional correlational design, where 202 students from all nursing students were selected by random sampling in the academic year of 2017-2018. Data were collected via Allport Religious Orientation Questionnaire and the Standard Scale of Attitude toward Death (DAP-R) which were completed by participants after confirmation of validity and reliability and obtaining written consent from participants. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 18 software and independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient. Participants included 51.5% females, the average age was 21.7 years, 89.6% single, 95.5% undergraduates, 53% resident of the dormitory, 94.6% Shiite, and 50.5% had experience of seeing death. The average score of internal religious orientation was higher than that of the outside; and it was the same in both sexes. The difference between the mean score of internal orientation and the active acceptance of death was a positive correlation (P <0.001) and with avoidance of death, it had a significant negative inverse correlation (p= 0.01/0.17); Exterior orientation with fear of death and acceptance by escape had a significant positive correlation (P <0.001); the difference in mean score of both religious orientations was not significant in terms of gender, marital status, and religion (P>0.001). The difference between fear of death and avoidance of death and acceptance by escape based on gender, and in terms of admission or escape, having experience of seeing death, had a meaningful relationship (p=0.01). While there was no significant relationship between attitude toward death and family death experience (P>0.001). Findings show the type of religious orientation of nursing students and its relationship with people’s attitudes toward admission or escape from death; as the effective factor affecting the health of individuals and the quality of providing care for dying patients.
Mehri Seyedjavadi, Raheleh Mohammadi, Arezo Mirzayee, Maryam Mirzayee,
Volume 12, Issue 0 (3-2019)
Abstract
Nursing ethics is one of the most basic aspects of nursing profession, which nurses are required to follow the principles receiving nursing care with confidence by patients. This study was conducted to determine the level of moral development of nurses and its contributing factors. This descriptive, analytic study was performed in 2017, study samples were 310 nurses working in educational hospitals of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences. Samples were selected by convenience method. The data was collected using a Kohlberg’s nursing dilemma test. The questionnaire included six scenarios: newborn with anomalies, forcing medication, adult's request to die, new nurse's orientation, medication error, and uninformed terminally ill adult. The data was analyzed by IBM SPSS 18 using descriptive and analytic tests. In this study, 51 nurses (16.45%) were in the pre-conventional level, 101 nurses (32.58%) in the conventional level, 132 nurses (42.58%) at the post-normal level and 26 nurses (8.38%) at the level of clinical considerations. Moral thinking mean score was 42.58 ± 5.6 and the mean score of the clinical considerations was 21.53 ± 4.3. The present study showed that the majority of nurses are in the post conventional and conventional level; but this is less than 50% of all nurses, which shows that the level of moral development of nurses is in the moderate level. It requires further investigation of the causes and related factors and more efforts for improving it.
Shilan Ghaderi, Mehran Sadeghi, Fayegh Yousefi, Mohammad Saleh Vahedi, Nader Karami, Aram Karimian,
Volume 12, Issue 0 (3-2019)
Abstract
One of the main methods of improving patient safety is use of reporting systems and providing facilities for analyzing and preventing mistakes. The aim of this study was to determine the attitude of nursing managers of hospitals affiliated to Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences towards the voluntary reporting system of medical errors in 2015. In this descriptive-analytic study, all managers of selected hospitals in Kurdistan province were enrolled in this study. The data was collected through a valid questionnaire for attitude towards the voluntary reporting system of medical errors. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 20, independent t-test, chi - square and ANOVA. According to the results of the study, 87.9% (80 participants) of the managers encountered reporting of errors in their workplace. 68.1% (62 participants) of the managers had a positive attitude toward the voluntary system of medical errors and 16.15 % (15 participants) had a negative attitude and 15.38% (14 participants) were indifferent. According to the results of the research, more than 68.1 % of managers have a positive attitude towards the voluntary reporting of medical errors and with the necessary measures a suitable platform for launching the voluntary reporting system of medical errors in the treatment centers can be provided.
Fatemeh Jafarinahlashkanani, Zainab Eydivandi, Marzieh Shafiei, Elham Maraghi, Mehrnaz Moradi Kalboland,
Volume 13, Issue 0 (3-2020)
Abstract
The observance of professional ethics standards’ is inherent nature of nursing profession. Observance of ethical standards by them will be an effective factor in improving performance of patient care and affecting the quality of health care. This study was conducted to determine the facilitating and Inhibitory factors of professional ethics from the perspective of nurses. This cross-sectional descriptive study with the participation of 367 nurses in Masjed-e-Soliman hospitals was performed in 2019. The data collection tool was a questionnaire of facilitating factors in the three dimensions of management, individual, and patients and inhibitory factors in three dimensions of management, environmental, and individual care; design, validity, and reliability of the questionnaire was reported by Dehghani. Data analysis was analyzed using SPSS version 22 and statistical tests. From the nurses' point of view, facilitating factors to follow ethics were: sufficient personnel in proportion to the number of patients (64.6%) in the managerial dimension, proper interpersonal relationship between colleagues and other treatment teams (60.3%) in the individual dimension;. appropriate treatment of patients with nursing staff (59.1%) in the patient dimension. The most important inhibitory factors were: lack of attention to the ability and skills of personnel during the division of labor (71.2%) in the managerial dimension; crowded and busy wards in environmental dimension (69.6%); shortage of time in the individual and care dimension (66.4%). In this research, most important facilitating and inhibitory factors for following professional ethics standards in nurses was evaluated. Due to the necessity of observing the standards of professional ethics in nursing performance, the managers of health care organizations can observe the current situation by conducting periodic studies in the field of professional ethics from the perspective of nurses and patients.
Hamid Khajevandi, Abbas Ebadi, Akbar Aghaiani Chavoshi, Morteza Khaghanizade,
Volume 13, Issue 0 (3-2020)
Abstract
Moral courage is the ability to overcome fear and performing the right action based on moral beliefs despite the potential danger. Nurses, as moral agents, need moral courage to properly manage moral problems and make a professional commitment to patients. Therefore, the above study was conducted to investigate the moral courage of nurses and related factors. In this descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in 2019, the research population was all nurses working in Baqiyatallah Hospital. After explaining the objectives of the study and obtaining the consent of the research, 220 nurses were selected as available samples. The data collection tool was Sadooghiasl questionnaire. After completing the questionnaire, they completed 187 sample questionnaires. SPSS software was used to analyze the data. The results of the study showed that the mean score of nurses' moral courage was 413.37 with a standard deviation of 46.70. Thirty percent had moderate moral courage and 69.5% had high moral courage. The results of the independent T-test and ANOVA showed that there is a statistically significant relationship between the variable employment status and the moral courage of nurses. Considering the results of this study and the many ethical challenges that exist in the nursing profession, the issue of moral courage and related factors and providing solutions to improve it, should be at the forefront of the health organization and nursing managers.
Samira Rezaei, Mehrnoosh Pazargadi, Mohammad Mehdi Salaree,
Volume 13, Issue 0 (3-2020)
Abstract
The health system needs nursing managers with moral reasoning ability to increase the quality of care in the system by adopting an effective leadership style. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between moral reasoning ability and leadership style of nursing managers of medical centers affiliated to Jiroft University of Medical Sciences. The present study was a descriptive- correlation cross-sectional study that was conducted in 2020. The population of study was all employed nursing managers, among whom 124 participants with a bachelor's degree in nursing and higher were included in the study by census sampling method. Data collection tools were demographic questionnaires, “Cherisham moral reasoning” and “Hershey and Blanchard leadership style”. Descriptive and inferential statistics and SPSS software version 19 were used to analyze the data. The results of the study showed that the mean score of moral reasoning of nursing managers is (48.10 ±7.04) which is higher than the mean score of the test. Also, the dominant leadership style of managers was selling leadership style 59.68%. The highest average of ethical reasoning of nursing managers was related to participating leadership style (48.44±7.35). There was no significant relationship between moral reasoning ability and leadership style of nursing managers (P >0.05). According to the results of the study, it is recommended to strengthen nursing managers 'efforts to strengthen transformational leadership styles in their managerial behaviors in order to improve leadership effectiveness and increase nurses' job satisfaction and observe ethical decision making.
Sajjad Nemati, Dariush Rokh Afrooz, Nasrin Elahi, Mohammad Hossein Haghighizadeh,
Volume 13, Issue 0 (3-2020)
Abstract
Evaluating clinical performance of nursing students as a resource to determine educational needs and decision-making is essential to change the educational environment and improve the quality of education. The aim of this study was to evaluate the professional behavior of nursing students in the clinical environment with the Small Scale Professional Assessment Tool (P-MEX). This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 86 nursing interns of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences in 2019. Data collection tools were demographic information questionnaire and P-MEX Cruess evaluation form. The validity and reliability of this instrument was evaluated by observers and was determined with Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 76%. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20 and descriptive statistics, independent t-test, analysis of variance, and post hoc test. In professional skills, most participants in the first stage were 51.2% at the average and expected level and 48.8% above the expected level, and in the second stage, most were 84.9% at the average and expected level and 15.1% higher than they were as expected. In this study, based on the evaluation scores in two stages, although the average total clinical skills scores of most students were within the expected range of the 4-point Likert scale, the skill scores were lower in the special wards. Therefore, for the full development of professional skills, it is necessary to develop appropriate methods of planning and training in the field of professional behaviors.
Khadijeh Nasiriani, Mojghan Barati Kahrizsangi, Seyede Elham Fazljoo,
Volume 14, Issue 0 (3-2021)
Abstract
The ethical climate in hospitals can influence nurses' ethical decisions. In other words, in the hospital where the nurse cannot use his moral courage, the patient's rights and interests are gradually ignored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between perception of ethical climate and moral courage of nurses working in hospitals affiliated to Shahid Sadoughi University of Yazd in 2019. This was a descriptive-analytical study. A total of 204 nurses working in hospitals affiliated to Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd were included in the study by census sampling. Data were collected using demographic questionnaire, Professional Moral Courage (PMC), and Hospital Ethical Climate Survey (HECS) and analyzed by SPSS 18 software. The results showed that the mean score of ethical climate (3.35 ± 0.62) of 5 and the mean score of moral courage was 56.37 ± 5.46 out of 75. There was no significant relationship between ethical climate and moral courage (P≥0.05). Of demographic characteristics, gender had a significant relationship with the mean score of ethical climate (<0.05), but other demographic characteristics did not have a significant relationship with ethical climate and moral courage (>0.05). Considering influence of environments supporting nurses’ moral courage on optimal care to patients, development of plans by managers to promote nurses’ moral courage can lead to beneficial effects.
Maasoumeh Barkhordari-Sharifabad, Seyedeh-Zahra Kaka-Tafti, Parnia Bastani, Farideh Mahmoudi-Hashemi,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (3-2022)
Abstract
Health care providers need moral sensitivity to provide effective ethical care Since spirituality is an integral part of morality, and spiritual intelligence is the basis of an individual's beliefs that affect his performance, this study was conducted to determine the role of spiritual intelligence in moral sensitivity of nursing students. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study that was conducted in 2021. The target population was nursing students studying in the first semester of 2021-2022 in Yazd, of which 153 people were selected by simple random sampling. In order to data gathering, questionnaire of King's spiritual intelligence and Lutzen's moral sensitivity was used. The validity and reliability of the instruments have been determined in previous research. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation, frequency distribution) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation test and T test) by SPSS software version 16. Results indicated the mean of moral sensitivity (64.24 ±10.46) and the mean of spiritual intelligence of nursing students (53.90 ±34.13) were moderate. There was no statistically significant relationship between spiritual intelligence and moral sensitivity (P=0.245). Therefore, it is necessary to conduct studies to investigate the mediating factors that may affect these variables for a better and deeper understanding.
Khadije Nasiryani, Najme Zamani, Ahdiye Bahri, Seyedeh Elham Fazljoo,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract
Considering the importance of learning ethical intelligence in nursing students as the future builders of this field and the valuable role that teaching ethical principles in the narrative way, as well as considering the practicality of virtual education in all disciplines, especially medical sciences, the study aimed at determining the effectiveness of virtual teaching of ethical principles in the narrative way on the moral intelligence of nursing students. the present study was of a semi-experimental type, with 40 nursing students entering the study in the available method. Before the intervention, immediately, after and two months after the intervention, participants completed the Lennick and Kiel's moral intelligence scale. Virtual training was held in 16 training sessions. The data was analyzed with the SPSS version 18 software. The Findings showed the present study involved 40 nursing students with an age range of 18-23 years. Comparison of the average overall score of moral intelligence before intervention (155/45±17/81) immediately after intervention (161/50±17/89) and two months after intervention (162/97±15/41) indicates an increase in this score during the study, which was statistically significant(P=0/02).the present study showed that the average overall score of moral intelligence in students increased immediately after and two months after the intervention, and differed from before the intervention, which is statistically significant. Studies show that optimal moral intelligence can portray a good perspective on people's success and progress. Therefore, it is necessary for university administrators to pay special attention to ethical education with new methods, along with clinical education.
Ebrahim Falahati, Mousa Alavi, Mohsen Shahriari,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (12-2024)
Abstract
While ethical conflict is an internal and individual experience, it is significantly influenced by environmental factors and variables. It describes a situation characterized by a discrepancy or conflict between the ethical values of caregivers, between caregivers and patients, or within the individual caregiver regarding the morally right course of action, often leading to ambiguity regarding duties and obligations. This research aimed to elucidate the factors associated with ethical conflict within the nursing context. This qualitative study employed conventional content analysis. Participants included 27 nurses working in various clinical departments, including emergency, intensive care, internal medicine, and surgery. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured individual interviews conducted after obtaining written informed consent. Data analysis was performed using MAXQDA version 20 software, adhering to Granheim and Lundman's approach. To enhance the rigor of the study, the criteria of credibility, confirmability, dependability, and transferability proposed by Lincoln and Guba were applied. Decision-making challenges within the context of care emerged as a central theme. Several factors were identified as contributing to ethical conflict in nursing care, including disrupted relationships, inefficient management systems, physician prioritization, conflicts of interest, legal constraints, a negative ethical climate, and insufficient resources. Nurses, as primary patient advocates, are consistently exposed to various ethical conflicts within their practice. This study highlights the critical importance of addressing decision-making challenges within the context of care for policymakers within the healthcare system. Reducing these conflicts is crucial for improving the quality of nursing care.
Atefe Salimi Akinabadi, Maryam Jahangiri, Mitra Zandi,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (12-2024)
Abstract
The intensive care unit (ICU) is a complex environment where diverse healthcare professionals collaborate to care for critically ill patients. Evidence suggests that ethical issues or conflicts are prevalent and can negatively impact ICU care. This research aimed to investigate the ethical challenges encountered by critical care nurses in clinical practice. Using the PRISMA guideline, relevant studies were identified through searches of the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from 2015-2024 using the following MeSH terms: "ethics," "ethical challenges," "nursing," and "intensive care unit." Only English-language manuscripts were included. Ethical challenges in the ICU were categorized as follows:
1. Internal Constraints: Lack of self-confidence, fear, maladaptive coping mechanisms, religious conflicts, and spiritual conflicts.
2. External Constraints: Lack of collegiality, hierarchical structures, poor communication, inadequate staffing, restrictive policies, shortages of full-time critical care physicians and nurses, and working with incompetent staff.
3. Clinical Situations: Futile treatment, inappropriate care, inadequate pain relief, hastening death, providing false hope, end-of-life care decisions, decisions about life-sustaining treatments, and the use of physical restraints.
Recognizing ethical challenges in the ICU is crucial. It enables the implementation of measures to minimize ethical conflict, design effective strategies for preventing ethical dilemmas, and improve the nursing work environment.
Mahrokh Keshvari, Negar Farajzadeh, Mohsen Shahriari, Mohammad Azadmanesh, Aliasghar Jamalinasab,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (12-2024)
Abstract
Nursing and midwifery professors play a crucial role in transmitting societal norms, providing cultural experiences, shaping students' behavior, beliefs, and attitudes, and cultivating moral virtues. As significant influencers on students' moral development during their academic journey, careful attention to this aspect is essential. This study aimed to elucidate the ethical challenges encountered by faculty members within the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery. This qualitative study employed content analysis. Purposive sampling was utilized to select 23 faculty members from the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, with data collection spanning eight months. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis. Continuous and comparative data analysis revealed three primary categories of ethical challenges perceived by faculty members: discrimination and injustice, low professional commitment, and unprofessional behavior.
· Discrimination and injustice: This category encompassed three subcategories: disparities in rule implementation across faculties and groups, unfair financial compensation, and inequitable distribution of academic units and points.
· Low professional commitment: This category included two subcategories: educational underselling and non-adherence to established rules by faculty members.
· Unprofessional behavior: This category comprised two subcategories: unhealthy competition among faculty members and inappropriate student evaluations.
The experiences of faculty members in this study highlighted the presence of numerous challenges, with ethical issues significantly impacting their performance and motivation. The identified ethical challenges primarily revolved around discrimination and injustice, low professional commitment, and unprofessional behavior. Given the pivotal role of faculty members in teaching ethical principles and actively addressing ethical challenges, it is imperative for administrators and officials to acknowledge these concerns and implement strategies to mitigate these issues.
Maryam Sina, Zahra Keshtkaran, Zinat Mohebbi, Naeimehossadat Asmarian,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (12-2024)
Abstract
Nurses, as the largest healthcare provider group, play a crucial role in patient care and treatment teams. To provide professional and appropriate care, nursing students must possess both clinical and moral competencies. Moral sensitivity, defined as the ability to recognize and understand moral situations, is paramount. It fosters trust and responsiveness to individual patient needs while equipping nurses to navigate ethical challenges within clinical settings. This study aimed to assess the moral sensitivity of nursing students and investigate its relationship with demographic characteristics. This descriptive-cross-sectional study involved 112 third- and fourth-year nursing students. Data were collected using demographic questionnaires and Lutzen's moral sensitivity scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23, employing descriptive and analytical statistical tests. The highest mean score for moral sensitivity was observed in the area of "honesty in decision-making" (14.71 ± 6.25), while the lowest mean was found in the area of "professional knowledge" (3.70 ± 2.12). The overall mean score for moral sensitivity was 15.87 ± 8.54, indicating a moderate level. Analysis of the relationship between demographic variables, including age, GPA, gender, marital status, living situation, current semester, family financial status, and parental education, revealed a significant positive correlation between moral sensitivity and family economic status only in the area of "experience with moral issues" (P=0.046). The findings of this study underscore the critical need for the development and implementation of structured programs designed to enhance the moral sensitivity of nursing students. Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of considering influential social factors, such as economic conditions, in fostering moral experiences and strengthening ethical sensitivity.
Mina Gaeeni, Hamid Asayesh, Ahmad Parizad, Zahra Abedini,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (12-2024)
Abstract
Clinical education constitutes the cornerstone of nursing education. Enhancing students' theoretical and practical knowledge within the psychiatric department is crucial for improving their attitudes, acceptance, and delivery of care. The outcomes of effective clinical learning encompass the development and refinement of professional competencies, including communication and professional ethics, the cultivation of critical thinking for clinical judgment and decision-making, the enhancement of ethical sensitivity, and the fostering of effective team and group performance. Recognizing the significance of these factors, this study aimed to "explain the experiences of nursing students based on narrative writing-reflection during their first encounter with psychiatric clients." This qualitative study was conducted during the psychiatric nursing internship at the Faculty of Nursing, Qom University of Medical Sciences, over two consecutive semesters. Purposive sampling was employed, and data were collected through 10 semi-structured individual interviews and 2 face-to-face and virtual focus groups (n=5 per group). Data collection continued until data saturation was reached. Data analysis was conducted using a qualitative content analysis approach with the assistance of MAXQDA20 software. The clinical experiences of students during their initial psychiatric nursing training course, as reflected in their narrative writing-reflections, revealed a primary theme: "encouraging ethical and spiritual communication in nursing." This overarching theme encompassed four sub-themes: "enhancing empathetic communication," "enhancing ethical sensitivity," "respecting the dignity of clients," and "listening to the voice of clients' feelings." The experiences gained through the reflective method within the clinical education setting, particularly in specialized clinical environments such as psychiatric wards and during initial encounters with clients in these departments, can provide valuable insights into students' attitudes and perspectives towards these clients and their families. These rich experiences can be effectively utilized to cultivate and strengthen communication and professional ethics among medical science students.
Azam Khorshidian,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (12-2024)
Abstract
Nurses are committed to protecting the rights of their patients. However, significant challenges often arise in their communication with physicians and patients. In some situations, nurses feel that patient autonomy is not respected, and sufficient, appropriate information is not provided to patients and their families. These challenges are particularly pronounced in pediatric nursing, as children often cannot fully express their needs. Pediatric nurses must be especially sensitive to the vulnerability of children and their families, actively supporting their welfare and best interests. When a child is suffering from a serious illness or nearing the end of life, the ethical challenges become even more complex. Some of these challenges include:
- How should healthcare decisions be made for these children?
- Who should make these decisions?
- How is the best interest of these children determined?
- Who can best advocate for children's rights?
- When treatment involves life-sustaining therapies (LST), is preserving life more important than ensuring quality of life?
- Who has the authority to transition from therapeutic or life-sustaining interventions to palliative care?
To address these challenges, nursing associations in various countries have developed ethical charters. However, no universal consensus or definitive solutions exist for navigating these complex clinical situations. Consulting experts across different fields and developing comprehensive professional ethics codes can serve as valuable guidance for pediatric nurses making ethical decisions in cases of serious illness.
