Abstract:

Aim: This research aims to determine the relationship between nurses’ care behaviors and moral sensitivity levels. Methods: The sample of the study consists of nurses (N=445) who are working in the university and public hospital in Sivas and who agreed to participate in the study between June 1 and September 30, 2018. Personal Information Form, Caring Behaviors Inventory-24 (CBI-24) and Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire (MSQ) were used to collect research data. Data were evaluated by using frequency, mean, minimum and maximum values, standard deviation, Mann Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis. Results: The mean total score of CBI-24 has been found to be 5.12±0.63. The overall total score of MSQ is 93.14±21.79. It has been found out that there is a reverse and weak level (r=-259; p=0.001) relationship between the total score averages of MSQ and CBI scale, and this relationship is statistically significant. As the MSQ score average decreases, the CBI score average increases. Accordingly, as moral sensitivity increases, care behaviors also increase. Conclusion: While the results of the research show that the nurses’ moral sensitivity is at moderate level and their care behaviors are at good level, the care behaviors of nurses with high moral sensitivity are also higher.

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