Ethics Education: Using Storytelling to Teach Ethics to Novice Oncology Nurses

Oncology nurses face unique challenges in the care of patients from culturally diverse backgrounds. Culture, values, and preferences play important roles in patient decision-making regarding goals of care and treatment.

This article describes the content and outcome of an educational seminar for nurse residents, which uses storytelling to highlight the relationship between dynamic cultural influences and ethical decision-making.

A 75-minute didactic seminar using storytelling, role-playing, and simulation was incorporated into a nurse residency program. Stories illustrate the role of oncology nurses in protecting and advocating for vulnerable patients, respecting and accommodating cultural differences, and increasing self-awareness of personal values that may influence decisions. Tests were administered to participants before, immediately after, and three months after the seminar to measure changes in knowledge.

Over one year, 107 novice oncology nurses, in five cohorts, attended the seminar. Results demonstrated an overall increase and sustainment of knowledge regarding ethical decision-making in nurse residents and illustrated the effectiveness of storytelling as a method to promote ethical decision-making among staff.