Correlation between the Attitude and Performance of Nurses Concerning the Observance of Codes of Ethics for Nurses in the NICU Wards and Pediatric Wards of the Hospitals in Tabriz

Abstract

Abstract: Background and purpose: Nursing ethics represents respecting professional ethics in providing nursing care, and its fundamental concerns attention to human and ethical issues in establishing communication between nurses and patients regarding caretaking. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between nurses’ attitude and performance about nursing ethic codes in the NICU as well as pediatric ward. Materials and methods: This is a correlational-descriptive study conducted on all nurses working in the pediatricand NICU wards inthe hospitals of Tabriz in 2015. The relationship between nurses’ attitudes and performances about the observance of codes of ethics for nurses was accessed using structured questionnaires designed in accordance with codes of ethics for nurses in Iran. Face and content validity of the questionnaires was verified by 12 faculty members of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, its reliability was measured using test-retest method, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calculated 87%. This questionnaire consisted of two parts: demographic characteristics, and investigating attitude and performance of nurses. Data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS/23. To analyze the data collected, the chi-square and ANOVA tests were used. The p-value is less than 0.05, which was considered statistically significant. Findings:The results of the study showed thatthere is a significant relationship between nurses' attitude and performancein terms ofobserving codes of ethics (p<0.05). Also, with regard to observing ethical codes, there is a significant relationship betweena number of personal and social characteristics of nurses (p<0.05). Conclusion:Considering the relationship between attitude and performance of nurses in observing codes of ethics for nurses, strengthening ethical attitude and performance can be effective in qualified nursing care as well as observing codes of ethics for nurses. Since nurses are encountered with seriousconditions in patient care, whichrequires ethical abilities in decision-making and proper performance, it is essential that they be sensitive and familiar with the ethical issues relevant to their profession.