Integrating Bioethics Into Nursing Practice: Enhancing Student Nurses Competence In Handling Clinical Dilemmas

Abstract

This study explored the level of knowledge of student nurses’ to enhance their competence in the integration of bioethics principles in the clinical setting. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge and the level of integration of student nurses on the bioethical principles. The study focused on seven ethical principles: autonomy, benefi cence, nonmalefi cence, justice, fi delity, veracity, and confi dentiality. Using a quantitative descriptive-correlational design, data were collected from 313 Level II, III, and IV student nurses at Lorma Colleges who had prior exposure to ethics education and clinical rotations. A researcher-developed and validated questionnaire assessed students' knowledge and the extent of integrated ethical principles into practice. Statistical tools, including weighted mean and Pearson’s correlation coeffi cient, were employed to analyze the data. Results indicated that student nurses demonstrated a very high level of knowledge and integration of bioethical principles across all domains. Student nurses showed strong competence in respecting patient autonomy, prioritizing nonmalefi cence, and maintaining confi dentiality. A signifi cant positive correlation was found between students’ knowledge of bioethics and the integration of bioethical principles, validating the impact of structured ethics education on ethical decision-making skills. The study concludes that knowledge and integration of bioethics in nursing curricula signifi cantly improve student nurses’ bioethical reasoning and clinical competence. It recommends incorporating digital tools such as digital fl ipbooks to maintain ethical competence. Future research should explore qualitative perspectives to capture the lived experiences of student nurses facing ethical challenges, thereby contributing to curriculum refi nement and improved patient care outcomes.