| Learning Objective #1: Discuss factors currently affecting moral reasoning in staff nurses | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Formulate strategies for improving personal, moral-reasoning behaviors |
Objective- This study compared ethical reasoning abilities in senior baccalaureate nursing students and experienced registered nurses. The effects of environmental factors and previous experience with ethical dilemmas on nursing principled thinking were also examined. Design- A descriptive research design was used for this study. Population, Sample, Setting- Two groups of subjects were recruited for the study by randomized convenience sampling- 112 senior baccalaureate nursing students and 120 registered nurses. Subjects were obtained from nursing schools and registered nurse mailing lists in four mid-western states. Variables- Three variables were examined in this study- nursing principled thinking, environmental influences on nursing principled thinking, and previous experience with ethical dilemmas. Methods- A questionnaire, letter of consent, and demographic sheet were mailed to selected nurses and assisting nursing faculty. 232 completed tools were returned, and were analyzed using Pearson's product-moment correlation, analysis of variance, and descriptive statistics. Findings- Nursing students reported a significantly higher level of nursing principled thinking than experienced nurses. There was a significant negative correlation between years of experience and level of nursing principled thinking in nurses. The level and type of nursing education did not have an effect on nursing principled thinking. Subjects who were most affected by environmental influences demonstrated less use of nursing principled thinking. The effect of previous experience with ethical dilemmas on nursing principled thinking was non-significant. Conclusions- In study subjects: (a) moral reasoning declined after graduation and worsened with years of experience, (b) type of nursing education had no significant effect on moral reasoning, (c) environmental influences had a negative effect on moral reasoning, and (d) experience with moral dilemmas did not significantly affect moral reasoning. Implications- Nurses, administrators, and educators must identify factors contributing to declines in nursing principled thinking and take steps to assist nurses to maintain a high level of moral reasoning.
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