Relationship Between Nurses’ Ethical Sensitivity and Work Environment Index

Abstract

Providing nursing care based on ethical values ​​requires nurses to have ethical sensitivity. Determining the factors related to moral sensitivity can help to identify strategies to promote this ability. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nurses' ethical sensitivity and work environment index. This descriptive-correlational study was performed in the presence of 135 nurses of Vali-e-Asr Hospital in Shahr-e-Babak (Kerman province) in 2021. Samples were selected by consensus method. Lutzen Ethical Sensitivity Questionnaire and Work Environment Index Questionnaire were used to data collection. Data analysis was performed by determining the Pearson correlation coefficient and regression test using SPSS26. T-test and ANOVA were also used to examine the difference in mean scores based on demographic and occupational variables. Findings showed that the status of ethical sensitivity and work environment index of nurses participating in this study is at a moderate level and there is a significant correlation between nurses' ethical sensitivity and work environment index (P=0/049 R=0/212). Also, the mean score of work environment index showed a significant difference based on the variables of position (P=0/008) and shift work (P = 0/012). The existence of a significant relationship between nurses' ethical sensitivity and their work environment index confirms the importance of the work environment and its related consequences. According to the results of the present study, by optimizing the working environment of nurses, we can expect their ethical sensitivity to improve.