New Zealand nursing students’ experiences of ethical issues in clinical practice: A descriptive study
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Other Title
Authors
Sinclair, Jill
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Master of Nursing
Grantor
Eastern Institute of Technology
Date
2013
Supervisors
Marshall, Bob
Papps
Ball, Elaine
Papps
Ball, Elaine
Type
Masters Thesis
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
New Zealand
nursing students
Māori nursing students
clinical practice
ethics
experience
moral distress
ethics education
surveys
nursing students
Māori nursing students
clinical practice
ethics
experience
moral distress
ethics education
surveys
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Sinclair, J. M. (2013). New Zealand nursing students’ experiences of ethical issues in clinical practice: A descriptive study. (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Nursing). Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), New Zealand.
Abstract
BACKGROUND
It has been recognised that nursing students do not experience ethical problems in clinical practice in the same way as graduate or experienced nurses (Cameron, Schaffer & Park, 2001). In order to develop ethical reasoning and competence in nursing students, nurse educators must recognise the unique problems students face (Solum, Maluwa & Severinsson, 2012). There has been no documented research to date that explores New Zealand undergraduate nursing students’ experiences of ethical issues in clinical practice.
AIM OF THE RESEARCH
The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify (a) the most frequently occurring ethical issues experienced by Bachelor of Nursing students in New Zealand and (b) the level of distress that the students feel when faced with these issues.
RESEARCH DESIGN
A web-based questionnaire was developed, incorporating the ethical issues related to patient rights and patient care identified within a literature review along with a qualitative open ended question. The survey was distributed via email to members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) National Student Unit (NSU). Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted to ascertain the most frequent and distressing ethical issues evaluated and to determine if any differences existed between certain groups.
FINDINGS
Unsafe working conditions have proven to be the most commonly occurring and one of the most distressing ethical issues facing New Zealand Bachelor of Nursing students. Other issues that occur frequently in clinical practice are breaches of ethical principles relating to patient rights such as confidentiality, privacy, dignity and respect. The most distressing issues were found to be those that involve patient care and the compromising of the safety of patients, including unsafe working environments, unsafe health care practices and suspected abuse or neglect. Themes that emerged from the responses to the qualitative question included lack of support and supervision, bullying, end of life care issues and breaches of the ethical principle of veracity.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Research on this issue may be beneficial in assisting with the organisation and preparation of ethics education and the facilitating of students’ clinical experiences. It is hoped that by developing ethics education around the main concerns that students have in clinical practice, this will enhance students understanding of the issues herein and their ability to respond appropriately.
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