Compliance with the ethical competence framework by head nurses
Issued Date
2022-08-01
Resource Type
ISSN
09697330
eISSN
14770989
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85132365272
Pubmed ID
35724976
Journal Title
Nursing Ethics
Volume
29
Issue
5
Start Page
1304
End Page
1317
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Nursing Ethics Vol.29 No.5 (2022) , 1304-1317
Suggested Citation
Suvarnakich P., Montrikul Na Ayudhaya B. Compliance with the ethical competence framework by head nurses. Nursing Ethics Vol.29 No.5 (2022) , 1304-1317. 1317. doi:10.1177/09697330221105634 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/86794
Title
Compliance with the ethical competence framework by head nurses
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Head nurses have duties in providing nursing care and ethical supervision to the nurses in the unit. Compliance with the ethical competence framework for head nurses is essential in fostering an ethical climate in the organization. Objective: The objective of this research is to study the head nurses’ compliance with the ethical competence framework by the Thailand Nursing and Midwifery Council (TNMC). Methods: The study is a qualitative research, using in-depth interviews conducted among 20 head nurses practicing in a super tertiary hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. The sample was selected using a criterion sampling method. The head nurses’ ethical experience relating to work practice was analyzed by thematic analysis. Ethical considerations: The ethical approval of this study was obtained from the Committee for Research Ethics (Social Sciences), Mahidol University, and from the Institutional Review Board of the hospital in which the study was conducted. Results: From the thematic analysis of the ethical experience practiced by the head nurses, 8 themes and 16 sub-themes were categorized across 5 ethical competencies based on the ethical competence framework by the TNMC. It was found that all the identified themes and sub-themes conformed to the ethical competence framework, and demonstrated the head nurses’ compliance with the framework. Discussion: Head nurses’ ethical experience in practice conforms to the ethical competence framework by the TNMC. The framework that is based on the Code of conduct and the nursing culture that places the importance of the seniority system may facilitate the compliance with the ethical competence framework. Conclusion: Head nurses demonstrated compliance with the ethical competence framework by the TNMC. Nevertheless, improvements could be done to the framework by adding details such as more examples of ethical decision-making scenarios, personnel’s rights, and social media usage guidelines.