Impact of interactive ethics education program on nurses’ moral sensitivity

Abstract

Background: Nurses working in a clinic must be morally sensitive to identify unethical circumstances and act morally. Educational strategies that can effectively gain this sensitivity are a matter of curiosity. Objective: This study aimed to examine if an interactive ethics training program would benefit (a) moral sensitivity and (b) knowledge. Research Design: The present study was quasi-experimental based on a control group pretest/posttest. Participants and Research Context: The study involved 53 nurses from 10 hospitals in Istanbul, Türkiye. The intervention group received the 5-week Interactive Ethics Training Program. Data were collected through the Personal Characteristics Form, Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire, and Nursing Ethics Knowledge Test. Ethical Considerations: The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Non-Invasive Research Ethics Committee (No. 78/2022) from Istanbul Medipol University. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the posttest for moral sensitivity (MD: −10.247, p =.010) and knowledge level (MD: 4178, p =.009). Conclusion: An interactive ethics training program in nursing ethics education positively impacts nurses’ moral sense and knowledge. Improving nurses’ moral awareness can facilitate ethical decision-making. Therefore, it is advised that nurse educators design their curricula based on these results. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.