[A study of the ethical values of Korean nurses]

The purpose of this study is to identify whether ethical values of Korean nurses are deontological or utilitarian. Nurse's ethical value questionnaire was developed from review of literature and interview of nurses in the clinical settings. Content validity was tested from three nursing faculties and staffs. Ethical problems are categorized into four areas: 1) human life area 2) nurse-patient relationship area 3) nurse-nursing task relationship area 4) nurse-colleague relationship area The data were obtained from the 404 nurses in the clinical settings from Feb. to Mar. in 1990 by ethical value questionnaire. The analysis of data was done by Pearson's correlation coefficient, t-test, anova. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The ethical values of human life slightly took up the position of utilitarian. 2. The ethical values of nurse-patient relationships slightly took up deontological position. 3. The ethical values of nurse-nursing task relationships slightly took up deontological position. 4. The ethical values of nurse-colleague relationships greatly took up deontological position. 5. The ethics of nurses related to demographic characteristics of religion, attitude of nursing, ethical standards, education level and post. Those who have religion took up more deontological position than those who have not. Those who have positive attitude of nursing and firm ethical standards took up more deontological position than those who have not. Those who have higher education level and post took up more deontological position than those who have not.