[Post-registration nursing students' perceptions on the subject of nursing ethics]

The registered nurse's pursuit of professionalism is of prime importance in the execution of her task. This research attempts to assess the perceptions concerning the subject Ethos of Nursing held by post-registration nursing students--after they had written the examination on the subject. The purpose was to determine the extent of the student's pursuit of professionalism, as her perception of Ethos is synonymous with her attitude towards professionalism. During the student's basic education in Nursing Science she was taught the fundamental principles of Ethos. This research revealed that this basic teaching failed to meet the requirements of the nurse subsequent to registration. It appeared that the students' perceptions changed from negative to positive during their studies at Unisa. This finding supported the assumption that the subject Ethos, and its impact on the nurse practitioner's pursuit of professionalism, might only reach its full potential at the post-basic level.