Professional autonomy and ethical decision making among graduate and undergraduate nursing majors

The purpose of this study was to determine differences in perceptions of ethical dilemmas and attitudes toward autonomy among four groups of nursing students. A randomly selected sample (n = 130) of students enrolled in associate degree, generic baccalaureate, degree completion, and master's study completed the Judgments About Nursing Decisions (JAND), the Nursing Autonomy and Patient's Rights Scale (NAPRS), and a demographic data sheet. Using one-way analysis of variance procedures, significant differences were found among groups on autonomy, patients' rights, and rejection of traditional role limitations. No significant differences were found on perceptions of idealistic and realistic moral behavior. Additional analysis produced significant findings when student groups were compared by age, RN status, and participation in ethics courses and seminars. Lack of significant differences on perceptions of ethical dilemmas may have resulted from the relatively low level of reliability of the JAND with the groups studied. Differences in attitudes are attributed to experience as a registered nurse, participation in an educational offering, and exposure to the bureaucratic environment of the health-care system.