Relationship Between Ethical Reasoning and Professional Values among Nursing Students

In nursing, an appropriate level of ethical reasoning leads to the provision of better quality care to patients and an increase in job satisfaction among nurses. Professional values are important parts of this profession, and nurses are obliged to adjust their activities in accordance with these values. This study aimed to investigate the level of ethical reasoning and attitude of professional values in final year nursing students of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran, in 2020.

The present descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 125 senior undergraduate nursing students by census method. The data collection tool was a three-part questionnaire consisting of a demographic information form, Nursing Dilemma Test, and Nurses Professional Values Scale-Revised
Questionnaire. Questionnaires were distributed in person and electronically. Data analysis was performed in SPSS 26 software.

Data analysis showed that there was no significant relationship between ethical reasoning and professional values (r=0.023, P=0.79). The mean score of students' moral reasoning was reported to be above average (46.4±6.84). Moreover, the mean score of students' professional values was obtained at a desirable level (96.84±9.28).

Although there was no significant relationship between students' moral reasoning and professional values, to raise the level of moral reasoning and institutionalize professional values in students, it is essential to have an educational plan in college.