1.1 Introduction
Nursing ethics is defined as a set of moral principles and professional standards that guide the behavior and decision-making processes of nurses in all aspects of patient care (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019). Student nurses, as emerging professionals in the healthcare system, are expected to acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical competence in nursing ethics. Ethical knowledge provides the foundation for understanding what constitutes right and wrong in patient care, while ethical practice ensures that this knowledge is effectively applied in real-life clinical situations (Adebayo & Alade, 2019).
The importance of integrating ethics into nursing education has been widely recognized, as it equips student nurses with the skills necessary to navigate ethical dilemmas and make informed decisions in complex healthcare environments (Okeke & Umeh, 2020). As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Nursing ethics is deeply rooted in the evolution of the nursing profession and its commitment to patient care. According to Grace (2020), ethical practice in nursing emerged as an essential component of professional responsibility as nurses began to assume formalized roles in healthcare institutions. The principles of nursing ethics, including beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice, were gradually codified to provide a moral framework guiding patient care.
Historically, the professionalization of nursing in the 19th and 20th centuries highlighted the importance of ethics in nursing education and practice. Florence Nightingale, widely recognized as the founder of modern nursing, asserted that moral integrity and ethical conduct were fundamental to effective nursing care. She emphasized that nurses must uphold honesty, compassion, and respect for patients' dignity, laying the groundwork for contemporary ethical standards in nursing practice.
Nursing ethics forms the cornerstone of professional nursing practice, guiding nurses in delivering care that respects patient rights, ensures safety, and promotes well-being. According to Beauchamp and Childress (2019), nursing ethics provides a structured framework for ethical decision-making, emphasizing principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. These principles are essential in shaping the professional behavior of nurses and ensuring moral responsibility in clinical practice.
Student nurses are expected to develop a strong foundation in nursing ethics through both theoretical instruction and practical clinical experience. However, it is reported that many student nurses encounter difficulties in consistently applying ethical principles during patient care (Adebayo & Alade, 2019). This discrepancy between knowledge and practice raises concerns about the preparedness of student nurses to handle ethical dilemmas independently. Chukwuemeka (2021) asserted that factors such as high patient-to-nurse ratios, insufficient clinical supervision, and varying hospital protocols often challenge the ethical decision-making abilities of student nurses. Furthermore, it is stated that while formal ethics education is included in nursing curricula, it may not always translate into practical competence due to limited hands-on experience and inadequate mentoring during clinical rotations (Eze & Nwankwo, 2018). The ability to recognize ethical dilemmas, make informed decisions, and act responsibly is often influenced by both personal and institutional factors, including cultural norms, professional role models, and organizational support.
Okeke and Umeh (2020) affirmed that continuous ethical training, mentorship programs, and reinforcement of ethical standards during clinical practice significantly enhance the ethical behavior of student nurses. On the other hand, some studies contend that the ethical competence of student nurses is also shaped by individual motivation, self-reflection, and personal values (Grace, 2020). The variability in knowledge and application of ethical principles suggests a need for ongoing assessment and improvement of nursing ethics education, particularly in hospital settings where real-life ethical dilemmas frequently arise. This study is set against the backdrop of the need to explore the current level of knowledge and practice of nursing ethics among student nurses in hospitals.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that Nursing ethics guides the professional conduct of nurses, promoting accountability, compassion, and respect for patients. However, it is observed that despite the inclusion of ethical training in nursing curricula, there is inconsistency in how student nurses demonstrate knowledge and adherence to these ethical principles in clinical settings (Okafor, 2020). On the other hand, some student nurses exhibit challenges in translating theoretical knowledge of ethics into practical applications during patient care. Factors such as workload pressure, inadequate supervision, and limited exposure to complex clinical scenarios contribute to gaps in ethical practice (Adebayo & Alade, 2019).
It is also reported that the level of awareness and understanding of ethical codes among student nurses varies significantly. While some students demonstrate a high level of ethical competence, others struggle with recognizing situations that demand ethical decision-making or fail to apply ethical reasoning effectively in real-life scenarios (Eze & Nwankwo, 2018). The disparity between knowledge and practice of nursing ethics raises concerns about the readiness of student nurses to provide morally responsible care once they transition into professional practice.
Furthermore, studies suggest that continuous mentorship, ethical training workshops, and reinforcement of ethical standards during clinical rotations positively influence the ethical practice of student nurses, highlighting the importance of practical exposure alongside theoretical instruction (Okeke & Umeh, 2020). It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to investigate the knowledge and practice of nursing ethics among student nurses in hospitals.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of this study is to examine the knowledge and practice of nursing ethics among student nurses in hospitals. The specific objectives of this study are to:
- Assess the level of knowledge of nursing ethics among student nurses.
- Examine how student nurses apply ethical principles in hospital settings.
- Identify the systemic factors that influence the practice of nursing ethics.
- Determine the gaps between ethical knowledge and practical application.
- Recommend strategies to improve the ethical competence of student nurses.
1.5 Research Questions
Based on the stated objectives, the research will address the following questions:
- What is the level of knowledge of nursing ethics among student nurses?
- How do student nurses apply ethical principles in hospital practice?
- What systemic factors influence the practice of nursing ethics among student nurses?
- What gaps exist between the knowledge and practical application of nursing ethics?
- What strategies can improve the ethical competence of student nurses?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant relationship between the knowledge of nursing ethics and the practice of ethical principles among student nurses.
- H1: There is a significant relationship between the knowledge of nursing ethics and the practice of ethical principles among student nurses.
1.7 Significance of Study
It is believed that at the completion of the study, the findings will inform nursing educators, clinical supervisors, policymakers, and professional bodies, providing a foundation for improving training programs and ethical standards.
Furthermore, this study will provide a foundation for future research in nursing ethics, particularly in the context of student training and hospital practices. The results will be useful to policymakers, professional nursing bodies, and researchers who are committed to advancing ethical standards and professionalism in nursing.
Lastly, the study will empower student nurses to recognize, understand, and apply ethical principles consistently, thereby fostering professional integrity and accountability in their future practice.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study is limited to assessing the knowledge and practice of nursing ethics among student nurses in hospitals located in Lagos State, Nigeria. It focuses on the experiences of students in selected teaching hospitals and the influence of institutional systems on ethical practice.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
A study of this nature is bound to experience certain problems as such the constraints imposed on the research include:
- Time Constraints: A study of this nature needs relatively long time during which information for accurate or at least near accurate inference could be drawn. The period of the study was short, time posed as constraints to the research.
- Financial Constraints: The research would have extended the survey to other area at the empirical level, but limitation as included cost of transportation to the source of material and the cost of time setting of the already completed work.
- Lack of Cooperation: Many of the respondents are usually aggressive on issue that border cooperation among the respondents border.
- Response Bias: The study will involve surveys and interviews with cooperative managers and members. Response bias may occur if respondents provide socially desirable answers or if there is reluctance to disclose negative financial information due to privacy concerns or fear of repercussions.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Nursing Ethics:
Nursing ethics is the study and application of moral principles that guide nurses in delivering patient care responsibly and professionally (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019).
Knowledge of Nursing Ethics:
This refers to the understanding of ethical principles, codes, and guidelines that student nurses are expected to follow during clinical practice (Grace, 2020).
Practice of Nursing Ethics:
This refers to the application of ethical knowledge in real-life patient care situations, including decision-making, patient advocacy, and professional conduct (Eze & Nwankwo, 2018).
Student Nurses:
Individuals enrolled in formal nursing education programs who are undergoing training to become registered nurses (Adebayo & Alade, 2019).
Systemic Factors:
These are institutional, organizational, or structural issues within hospitals that affect the ability of student nurses to apply ethical principles effectively (Chukwuemeka, 2021).
Clinical Supervision:
The process of guiding, mentoring, and evaluating student nurses during clinical practice to ensure adherence to professional and ethical standards (Okeke & Umeh, 2020).
…
