[Ethics, applied ethics, professional ethics]

Area of Science:

• Nursing Ethics
• Applied Ethics
• Professional Norms

Context:

• The study addresses the "Familiarity of Basic Rules in Professional Ethics Amongst Nursing Staff Members" in Germany.
• Codification of professional ethics norms is considered a prerequisite for developing individual nursing ethics.
• A survey revealed a significant gap in the understanding of these ethical principles among German nursing staff.

Purpose:

• To assess the level of familiarity with basic professional ethics rules among nursing staff in Germany.
• To identify the need for improved education and training in nursing ethics.
• To define and discuss the concepts of ethics, applied ethics, and professional norms within the nursing context.

Summary:

• Survey results indicate a low level of awareness regarding professional ethics among German nurses.
• This lack of familiarity suggests that German nursing has not yet achieved a high level of individual ethical practice.
• There is a clear demand from nursing staff for more comprehensive information and education on ethics.

Impact:

• Highlights a critical need for enhanced coverage of professional ethics in both foundational and continuing nursing education programs.
• Emphasizes the importance of applied ethics in nursing practice and the development of professional norms.
• Provides a foundation for further discourse on the definition, development, and relevance of ethical norms in professional nursing.