Empowerment and Ethical Sensitivity of Nurse in the Hospital

Abstract

Purpose: This study was to identify the degree of empowerment and ethical sensitivity of staff nurses and to examine the relationship between empowerment and ethical sensitivity. Method: Data were collected from 235 staff nurses in 4 hospitals in Gyeonggi Province using a questionnaire and collected data was analyzed by the SPSS PC program. Results: The degree of empowerment was 2.76( .35) out of a possible score of 4 and that of ethical sensitivity was 0.71( .11) out of a possible score of 1. The relationship of between empowerment and ethical sensitivity showed statistically significant positive correlation(r=.34, p=.00). For general characteristics, there was a significant difference in empowerment according to age(F=13.18, p=.00), educational background(t=-2.09, p=.04) and clinical practice career(F=15.15, p=.00) and in ethical sensitivity according to age(F=4.01, p=.02). In characteristics related to ethics, there was a significant difference in empowerment according to experience of ethics instruction in clinical practice(t=2.25, p=.03), attitude toward the nursing profession(F=7.96, p=.00) and ethical standards(F=9.39, p=.00) and in ethical sensitivity according to attitude toward the nursing profession(F=2.94, p=.03). Conclusion: Findings suggest that a systemic and effective training program reflecting the above general and related ethics characteristics be developed to enhance empowerment and ethical sensitivity.