The theory and practice of undergraduate nursing ethics education programs in South Africa and Namibia : a critical appraisal

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The history and evolution of nursing ethics situate caring as a central value of nursing. Since ancienttimes, codes of conduct, developed by societies, have protected the vulnerable. The value system ofnursing in South Africa and Namibia is derived from Christian missionaries who hailed from England andEurope. Florence Nightingale is recognised as the founder of modern nursing and established a firmethical foundation for nursing. Nursing ethics education has various aims, i.e. promotion of ethicalinsight of nurses and protection of patients. Ethics education is confronted daily with many challengeswith continuous efforts to address these challenges through innovations. Throughout its history, thenursing profession has responded to moral challenges by developing ethical codes with guidingprinciples for nursing practice. An ethic of care gained ground as an important approach in nursingpractice. The values and obligations proclaimed in the codes of ethics of some countries and theInternational Council of Nurses reveal shared values and beliefs in nursing. These codes of ethicsdescribe the obligation of nurses towards patients, the nursing profession, society, co-workers andthemselves as individual nurses. Nurses ought to develop certain required character traits. Aristotle'sideas on intellectual virtues and practical wisdom specifically may provide nursing ethics educators witha viable approach in the teaching-learning of nursing ethics. The status of nursing ethics education inSouth Africa and Namibia revealed variability in most aspects of undergraduate nursing ethics educationin institutions of higher education. This lack of standardisation complicates assessment of the quality ofnursing ethics education. Nursing ethics educators in South Africa and Namibia identified challengesregarding the teaching-learning environment, practising nurses, students and educators as well aschallenges related to the regulatory authorities and political and legislative framework. Suggestions toaddress these challenges were also offered by the nursing ethics educators. The effective internalisationof nursing values requires the efforts of nursing educators, students, practising nurses as well asstakeholders beyond institutions of higher learning. A critical assessment of nursing ethics education inSouth Africa and Namibia highlighted certain deficiencies in relation to regulatory and managerialaspects in nursing education and various issues related to nursing education generally and nursing ethicseducation specifically. Improving nursing ethics education needs nursing ethics educator specialisation,standardisation of ethics education and innovative teaching-learning strategies, including the inculcationof practical wisdom in nursing students. Health care facilities need upgrading, and practising nurses andeducators must support nursing students effectively. Managerial and regulatory aspects needimprovement. The challenges identified in this study can be resolved by improved collaborationamongst institutions of higher learning, nursing councils and service providers. Nursing ethics educatorsremain hopeful that nursing ethics education has the potential to be significantly improved both inSouth Africa and Namibia.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University