Table 3.
The average scores for adherence to ethical codes in nursing students and nurses
| Items | Nursing students | Nurses |
|---|---|---|
| Mean ± SD | Mean ± SD | |
| Introducing themselves and stating their title and professional role |
3.15 ± 1.16 | 3.45 ± 0.85 |
| Providing all nursing interventions while respecting the clients/patients and preserving their dignity |
3.98 ± 0.82 | 3.85 ± 0.94 |
| Considering the clients/patients’ demands regardless of their age, sex, race, economic status, lifestyle, culture, religion, political beliefs and physical abilities |
3.93 ± 0.88 | 3.91 ± 0.92 |
| Performing nursing care based on current knowledge and common sense |
3.85 ± 0.81 | 3.84 ± 0.93 |
| Establishing gentle behavioral and verbal communication with the clients/patients in a way that wins their trust, and attempting to understand their needs and concerns |
4.06 ± 0.80 | 3.82 ± 0.97 |
| Obtaining the patients’ or their legal guardians’ consent before performing any nursing interventions, and providing sufficient information in the process |
3.42 ± 0.96 | 3.56 ± 0.93 |
| Having a complete knowledge of the risks when presenting or applying a new product in clinical practice, and providing the client/patient with the necessary information about the benefits and disadvantages of the product to promote informed decision-making |
3.29 ± 0.89 | 3.59 ± 0.95 |
| Being aware that no one has the right to consent in place of a competent adult. In case of children, giving the consent is one of the legal guardian’s responsibilities. |
3.85 ± 0.71 | 3.73 ± 0.98 |
| Educating the clients/patients and their families in order to empower them within the framework of their specific care plan and discharge program |
3.26 ± 1.06 | 3.47 ± 0.95 |
| Starting the necessary intervention without the client/patient’s consent only as an exception and in case of an emergency, when immediate therapeutic action is required to save the client/patient’s life |
3.77 ± 0.79 | 3.67 ± 0.99 |
| Performing the appropriate intervention based on existing standards and client/patient’s higher interests when obtaining the informed consent or realizing the client/patient’s consent or wishes is not possible |
3.69 ± 0.75 | 3.51 ± 1.01 |
| Applying safety measures to ensure that nursing interventions are harmless, and when necessary, consulting other health team members |
3.86 ± 0.82 | 3.58 ± 1.08 |
| Considering all the information given or obtained during the care process as professional secrets, and not revealing them without the client/patient’s approval except in legally permissible cases |
3.89 ± 0.83 | 3.56 ± 1.15 |
| Employing the medical information of clients/patients only for health-related purposes (such as treatment or research) and in the patients’ interest, and informing the clients/patients that part of their medical record might be disclosed to other team members for medical consultation |
3.88 ± 0.88 | 3.49 ± 1.09 |
| Using the client/patient’s medical information in research or education only with their permission, and presenting the results without mentioning the name, address or any other information that could lead to identification of the patient |
3.65 ± 0.95 | 3.31 ± 1.20 |
| Respecting the client/patient’s privacy when performing nursing interventions |
4.20 ± 0.88 | 3.96 ± 1.01 |
| Respecting the patient’s bill of rights | 3.94 ± 0.80 | 3.80 ± 0.96 |
| Providing care for injured individuals or clients/patients in emergency situations, even outside the workplace |
3.52 ± 0.98 | 3.66 ± 0.84 |
| Respecting clients/patients’ right to change the charged nurse or other healthcare providers in case of dissatisfaction or any other problem, and trying to satisfy the clients/ patients in this matter as much as possible |
3.80 ± 0.92 | 3.73 ± 0.90 |
| Informing the authorities who have sufficient power to improve the conditions in case of noticing a violation of standards of care |
3.73 ± 0.89 | 3.82 ± 0.88 |
| Reporting any complaints or problems of the clients/patients to the ward supervisor |
3.71 ± 0.98 | 3.68 ± 0.86 |
| Avoiding any action, even by the client/patient’s request, that requires ethical, legal or religious violation |
3.96 ± 0.86 | 3.89 ± 0.96 |
| Assisting the clients/patients who spend the last days of their lives to accept the reality and to appropriately plan their demands, including performing religious practices or recording their wills |
3.31 ± 1.17 | 3.63 ± 0.82 |
| Cooperating with medical team members, the clients/patients and their families to offer nursing interventions more efficiently |
3.75 ± 0.88 | 3.82 ± 0.88 |
| Helping the clients/patients or their legal guardians make decisions about nursing interventions |
3.56 ± 0.87 | 3.69 ± 0.87 |
| Sharing one’s professional knowledge and experience with other colleagues |
3.74 ± 0.94 | 3.73 ± 0.89 |
| Establishing a good relationship based on mutual trust with the medical team |
3.89 ± 0.82 | 3.75 ± 0.93 |
| Having a respectful conduct toward other nurses, professors and students |
0.86 | 3.76 ± 1.01 |
| Discussing any conflicts of interest in the care of clients/patients with senior colleagues and principals, and giving priority to preserving the clients/patients’ rights |
3.93 ± 0.76 | 3.58 ± 1.00 |
| Establishing a respectful professional relationship with co- workers in various levels, including head nurses, supervisors, nursing directors and department heads |
3.95 ± 0.81 | 3.60 ± 1.01 |
| Consulting the hospital ethics committee about decision- making when confronting ethical challenges |
3.27 ± 1.16 | 3.09 ± 1.03 |
SD: Standard Deviation