J Korean Acad Soc Nurs Educ.  2015 Aug;21(3):382-392. 10.5977/jkasne.2015.21.3.382.

Influence of Moral Sensitivity and Ethical Values on Biomedical Ethics Awareness of Nursing Students

• Kim MS

• KMID: 2178987
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5977/jkasne.2015.21.3.382

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was performed to investigate the effects of moral sensitivity and ethical values on biomedical ethics awareness of nursing students.
METHODS
A descriptive survey design was used for this study. The participants were 324 nursing students from S University located in J city. The data were collected through a questionnaire survey done from September 30 to October 18, 2014. Data were analyzed using a t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression.
RESULTS
The factors influencing nursing students' biomedical ethics awareness were identified as moral sensitivity(beta=.34), ethical values(beta=.11), awareness of Korean nurses' declaration of ethics(beta=.15), religion(beta=.14), and religious activity(beta=.12). Five factors explained 10.8% of nursing students' biomedical ethics awareness.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study can be used to develop further educational programs on the moral sensitivity and ethical values for enhancement of nursing students' biomedical ethics awareness.

Keyword

Morality; Sensitivity; Ethical values; Biomedical ethics

MeSH Terms

Bioethics*
Humans
Morals
Nursing*
Students, Nursing*