To investigate the cognitive level and practice status of nursing ethics of clinical nurses in Shandong Province.

3 205 nurses from 20 tertiary hospitals and 10 secondary hospitals were investigated using clinical nursing ethics cognition and practice questionnaire, with the aid of the special committee of nursing ethics in Shandong province. All data were analyzed by SPSS 17.0 software.

The total score of nursing ethics in Shandong Province was (16.65±3.25), and the total score of ethical practice was(40.10±6.72). Univariate analysis showed that there were differences in ethical cognitive level among nurses of different age, education, working years, professional title, marital status, income and working department (t=49.880, F=5.470-65.006, P<0.01); and there were differences in ethical practice level among nurses of different gender, age, education, working years, professional title, marital status, income and working department (t=36.037, 103.510, F=37.267-132.710, P<0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that different age, working years and professional title have statistically significant influence on the nursing ethical cognitive level; and different gender, working years, professional title, education, income and marital status have statistically significant influence on the nursing ethical practice level.

The ethical cognition of clinical nurses in Shandong province was in the middle level. Although nurses were aware of the importance of ethics, there were some weak points in ethical practice. The influencing factors include hospital management, society, patients, nurses 'own factors, and national policies. It is recommended to improve ethical cognition and practice status by carrying out continuing education, reducing nurses′ workload, strengthening positive publicity, and strengthening management learning, etc, thus improving nursing quality.

Clinical nurse; Ethics; Cognition; Practice; Investigation