Nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes to advance medical directives and ethics values

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships among nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes to advance medical directives and ethics values. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional and descriptive survey, carried out with 232 students from two schools of nursing, one located in B and C city. Student nurses’ knowledge, attitudes for advance medical directives and ethics values were measured using structured self-report questionnaires. Data were analyzed using t-test or one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: The scores for knowledge, attitudes for medical advance directives were 7.18 and 3.07, and for ethics values, 3.47. Nursing students’ knowledge and attitude showed a significant difference depending on grade. Nursing students’ ethics values showed significant differences depending on whether a study on ethics had been completed. A positive correlation was observed between nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes for advance medical directives and ethics values. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that basic data for the development of an effective education program on ethics is important in establishing a positive attitude toward advance medical directives and the appropriate ethical values in student nurses.