Abstract:

Objective: This descriptive study was carried out to determine the effects of taking an ethics course on the ethical decision-making levels of nursing students. Methods: The descriptive study was conducted with 146 students who were studying at Gazi University School of Health Sciences Department of Nursing in Ankara between 2011-2012 and who accepted to participate in the study. The data were collected using a personal information form including demographic characteristics of the students, and the Nursing Ethical Dilemma Test. Descriptive statistical methods count, percentile, mean, standard deviation, median were utilized to evaluate the data. Result: Of the students who participated in the study, 54.1% stated that they were taking the ethics course, 45.9% mentioned that they had not taken the course, yet, and 16.4% indicated that they were taking extra courses alongside the undergraduate course. Mean score for principal thinking and practical consideration was 17.07±4.51 in the students who were taking the ethics course, and it was determined that they were familiar with situations similar to dilemmas 17.67±2.17 . It was also determined that nursing students who did not take ethics course had a mean score of 13.92±6.04 for principal thinking and practical consideration, and they were unfamiliar with situations similar to dilemmas 22.23±5.64 . Conclusion: It is considered that providing ethics courses in nursing schools improves ethical decision-making abilities of students.

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