The Influence of Educational Support in Nursing Ethics on the Ethical Competence of Nursing Students’ Care

Abstract

Aim: To clarify the influence of educational support in nursing ethics on the ethical competence of nursing students’ care and obtain suggestions for scientific and effective nursing ethics education.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was administered to 4,930 final-year nursing students in Japan. First, factor analysis of educational support for ethical competence of care was conducted to confirm validity and reliability. Next, a multiple regression analysis was performed using educational support as an independent variable and factors related to ethical competence of care as dependent variables.

Results: Four factors were identified as educational support for ethical competence of care. The factors of the educational support for which a common influence on the five factors of “ethical competence of care scale for nursing students” was apparent were F1 “sharing of successful experiences in dealing with ethical issues among students in lectures,” F3 “advice in the process of analyzing ethical issues by instructors in the practical training,” and F4 “charter of patient rights.”

Conclusion: In providing effective nursing ethics education, teachers need to use the items of educational support that have been found to be influential in designing classes.