J Korean Acad Nurs Adm.  2019 Sep;25(4):282-291. 10.11111/jkana.2019.25.4.282.

Nursing Students' Knowledge, Attitudes to Advance Medical Directives and Ethics Values

• Lee HJ
• Ha JH
• Yun J

• KMID: 2459615
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11111/jkana.2019.25.4.282

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships among nursing students' knowledge, attitudes to advance medical directives and ethics values.
METHODS
The study was a cross-sectional and descriptive survey, carried out with 232 students from two schools of nursing, one located in B and C city. Student nurses' knowledge, attitudes for advance medical directives and ethics values were measured using structured self-report questionnaires. Data were analyzed using t-test or one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficients.
RESULTS
The scores for knowledge, attitudes for medical advance directives were 7.18 and 3.07, and for ethics values, 3.47. Nursing students' knowledge and attitude showed a significant difference depending on grade. Nursing students' ethics values showed significant differences depending on whether a study on ethics had been completed. A positive correlation was observed between nursing students' knowledge, attitudes for advance medical directives and ethics values.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study indicate that basic data for the development of an effective education program on ethics is important in establishing a positive attitude toward advance medical directives and the appropriate ethical values in student nurses.

Keyword

Advance directives; Attitudes; Ethics; Knowledge; Nursing students

MeSH Terms

Advance Directives
Education
Ethics*
Humans
Nursing*
Students, Nursing