Moral dilemma in clinical practice of nursing students

Abstract

Moral responsibility is an inseparable part of the professional competence of a nurse. In clinical practice nursing students often find themselves in situations dealing with "moral dilemma". Are they able and willing to respond appropriately to such situations? Our Research Questions were What are the most frequent professional dilemmas that students encounter during their clinical practice in the hospital? How do they react in such a situation and are they willing to show moral courage? The aim of the survey was to find out the most frequent professional dilemmas encountered by students during their clinical practice in hospitals and whether they are willing and able to respond adequately to such situations. It can be stated that during their clinical practice at the hospital each of the surveyed students witnessed or participated directly in a situation of unprofessional behavior of health care professionals, however, did not want to or could not respond to such unprofessional behavior. These situations had mostly a negative impact on the students. Although nursing students feel moral obligation to act in "critical" situations, they do not have the courage. It is therefore important to identify and work with moral dilemmas in students 'clinical practice, and by doing so reduce stress in students stemming from such situations while raising moral competence of students and other health professionals to take a stand and thus reduce professional blindness. (C) 2016 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy.org.uk