Effectiveness of active learning methods in nursing ethics education: A quasi-experimental study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Medical Ethics

Background:

• Enhancing ethics education in undergraduate nursing programs is believed to improve students' decision-making skills.
• Active learning methods are increasingly explored to boost the effectiveness of ethics instruction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of active learning methods in nursing ethics education.
• To assess the impact of this education on students' ethical decision-making levels.

Main Methods:

• A pre-test-post-test quasi-experimental design was employed.
• The study involved 100 undergraduate nursing students in Turkey.
• A structured educational program using active learning was implemented.

Main Results:

• Students showed statistically significant increases in Nursing Principled Thinking scores.
• Scores for Practical Consideration and Familiarity decreased significantly.
• Overall scores on the Nursing Effectiveness of Ethics Education Scale were above average.

Conclusions:

• Active learning-based ethics education positively influences students' personal morality and ethical reasoning.
• The education enhanced students' ability to apply moral thinking in ethical dilemmas.
• Students demonstrated increased familiarity and application of ethical decision-making skills.