Korean J Adult Nurs.  2020 Oct;32(5):482-493. 10.7475/kjan.2020.32.5.482.

Development of Ethical Nursing Competence Self-rating Scale for Clinical Nurses

• Kang B
• Oh Hy

• KMID: 2508300
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2020.32.5.482

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of this study was to develop an Ethical Nursing Competence Self-rating Scale for Clinical Nurses.
Methods
A scale-development study was applied that comprised eight stages of DeVellis. The scale verification involved a convenience sample of 423 nurses from September to October 2019 at three general hospitals located in Korea. The content validity, factorial structure validity, item-convergent/discriminant validity, known-group validity, convergent validity, internal consistency reliability, and test-retest reliability of the Ethical Nursing Competence Self-rating Scale for Clinical Nurses were evaluated. Data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Heterotrait-monotrait (HTMT), Cronbach’s ⍺, and intraclass correlation coefficient.
Results
Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses yielded five-factors. Known-group validity was demonstrated by clinical experience and nursing ethics education experience. Convergent validity was demonstrated using measures of defining issue. Internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability were found to be acceptable, as indicated by a Cronbach’s ⍺ of .70~.85 and an intraclass correlation coefficient of .72~.89.
Conclusion
The Ethical Nursing Competence Self-rating Scale for Clinical Nurses is a new instrument that comprehensively measures the aspects of ethical behavior, ethical decision-making and action, ethical sensitivity, ethical reflection, and ethical knowledge. It consists of 20 items scored on a 4-point Likert scale. The validity and reliability of the scale were verified. These findings indicate that the instrument can be applied in clinical practice, nursing education, and research.

Keyword

Ethics; Nursing; Psychometrics; Validation study