The Patterns of Change in Ethical Value of Nursing Students

간호학생의 윤리적 가치관과 변화양상

This descriptive longitudinal study was done to identify the ethical value of nursing students and to compare the differences of results with one year interval. The data were collected twice in 1999 and in 2000, from the 82 first year and 64 second year nursing students who have been attending at C college in Chonnam province. The analysis of data was done by frequency, mean, paired t-test, t-test, and ANOVA. The results of data were summarized as follows: 1. The total ethical value score of the first year students was 3.48 (maximum : 5) and, one year later, the score was lowered to 3.26. Especially, the degree of their ethical value was significantly decreased in the sub-areas of human-life and nurse-nursing task. 2. The total ethical value score of the second year students was 3.24 and, one year later, the score was increased to 3.39. The degree of their ethical value was significantly increased in the subarea of nurse- client relationship. 3. In the subarea of human-life, the mean score of ethical value was 3.25 and, one year later, the score was 2.95. The degree of ethical value was significantly lowered among the first year students with an utilitarian position. 4. In the subarea of nurse-client relationship, the mean score of ethical value was 3.39 and, one year later, the score was 3.67. The degree of ethical value was significantly increased among the second year students with a deontological position. 5. In the subarea of nurse-nursing task relationship, the mean score of ethical value was 3.38 and, one year later, the mean score was 3.08. The degree of ethical value was significantly decreased among the first year students. 6. In the subarea of nurse-collaboration relationship, the mean score of ethical value was 3.96 and, one year later, the mean score was 4.08 in second year students. There was no statistically significant difference. 7. The ethical values of nursing students were significantly different depending on their religion, length of study, attitude toward nursing and the experience of dying during their clinical practice.