The Analysis of Factors Influencing on Moral Judgement

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine moral judgements by clinical nurses, school nurses, and community nurses and to analyze the factors which influenced their moral judgements. Study data were collected from Aug 13, 1999 to Oct 23， 1999. Study subjects were 150 clinical nurses working in general hospitals, 150 school nurses, and 160 community nurses. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Moral judgement can be classified as ideal or real. This study founds that woiicing area, working field, and autonomy were significantly related to nurses moral judgement. The working area was related to both ideal and real moral judgement. The working period was significantly related to ideal moral judgement. The moral judgement scores of nurses who have worked more than 10 years were higher than for nurses who had worked for less than 10 years. For autonomy variables, real moral judgement score were higher when autonomy was higher. Among demographic variables, age, education level, and locus of health control were related to moral judgement. From this study the followings are suggested : First, in-service education for nurses who have more than 10 years of work experience needs to be done. Second, after the in-service education for these nurses, the nurses moral judgement needs to be evaluated to ensure effectiveness. Third, environments which increase nurses autonomy needs to be established in nursing practice to lessen ethical dilemmas. Also strategies to increase nurses' autonomy need to be developed.