Development of Ethical Nursing Competence Self-rating Scale for Clinical Nurses

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop an Ethical Nursing Competence Self-rating Scale for Clinical Nurses. Methods: A scale-development study was applied that comprised eight stages of DeVellis. The scale verification involved a convenience sample of 423 nurses from September to October 2019 at three general hospitals located in Korea. The content validity, factorial structure validity, item-convergent/discriminant validity, known-group validity, convergent validity, internal consistency reliability, and test-retest reliability of the Ethical Nursing Competence Self-rating Scale for Clinical Nurses were evaluated. Data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, Pearson's correlation coefficient, Heterotrait-monotrait (HTMT), Cronbach's ⍺, and intraclass correlation coefficient. Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses yielded five-factors. Known-group validity was demonstrated by clinical experience and nursing ethics education experience. Convergent validity was demonstrated using measures of defining issue. Internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability were found to be acceptable, as indicated by a Cronbach's ⍺ of .70~.85 and an intraclass correlation coefficient of .72~.89. Conclusion: The Ethical Nursing Competence Self-rating Scale for Clinical Nurses is a new instrument that comprehensively measures the aspects of ethical behavior, ethical decision-making and action, ethical sensitivity, ethical reflection, and ethical knowledge. It consists of 20 items scored on a 4-point Likert scale. The validity and reliability of the scale were verified. These findings indicate that the instrument can be applied in clinical practice, nursing education, and research.

Nurses’ intention to care of COVID-19 patients in hospitals dedicated to infectious disease in South Korea: application of the theory of planned behavior and verification of the moderating effect of ethical nursing competence

“…Ethical nursing competency is a concept that interdependently integrates not only ethical decision-making, but also ethical sensitivity, knowledge, reflection, behavior, and attitude based on ethical knowledge and sensitivity in ethical conflict situations that occur during nursing work [ 14 ]. We used the ethical nursing competency measurement tool developed by Kang and Oh [ 16 ]. It consisted of a total of 20 items in five factors, including four items of ethical sensitivity, two items of ethical knowledge, two items of ethical reflection, six items of ethical decision-making and action, and six items of ethical behavior.…”