Becoming a nurse: the ethical perspective

This paper examines selected features of neophyte nursing students' approach to the moral dimension of their future practice. It argues that rapid changes in medical technology and in social perceptions of morality necessitate a critical examination of the content, sequence and methods of introductory ethics education in nursing. It suggests that greater emphasis should be placed upon individual moral development; and that Codes of Ethics and Bills of Rights should be presented as ideal statements, to serve as guides in assessing the ethical situation of the client. Some reactions of students are reported.