The Effects of an Action Learning-based Nursing Ethics Education on Self-assertiveness and Ethical Values

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of an action learning-based nursing ethics education on the self-assertiveness and ethical values in nursing students. Methods: The study was a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. This study was carried out from October 19 to December 11, 2015. Participants were fifty-six undergraduate nursing students who assigned to either an action learning-based nursing ethics education or traditional lecture. Outcomes were measured assessed self-assertiveness and ethical values using questionnaires. Results: There was a significant improvement in the self-assertiveness in the experimental group who received an action learning-based nursing ethics education than the control group who undertook the traditional lecture (p=.017). However, ethical values were not statistically signigicant between two groups (p=.347). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that an action learning-based nursing ethics education for undergraduate students is very effective in promoting self-assertiveness compared to the traditional lecture.