Influence of Nurses' Ethical Problems on Their Ethical Judgments

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to describe how nurses with excellent ethical judgment skills have acquired ethical judgment and nursing practice skills based on their clinical experience. Methods: Study participants were seven nurses working in clinical settings, with over six years of clinical experience as well as ethical judgment skills, regardless of position. The survey period was between November 2016 and March 2017, and data were collected from semi-structured interviews. The recorded interviews were analyzed through qualitative synthesisd. Results: The analysis showed the following items to be common to the participants: clinical experience in mind; nursing tat their best to support patients by understanding them and respecting their values and will; reflection, encouragement, and recognition from patients and those around the nurses; sharing information with nursing teams for patients and their families; and responsibilities and duties as an administrator. Conclusions: Nurses with excellent ethical judgment skills experienced ethical problems and addressed them. The findings show that nurses became aware of the importance of patient-centered nursing inherent in ethical principles through reflection, and shared awareness among the team as ethical knowledge.