Factors Influencing the Application of the Code of Nursing Ethics at Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Nurses are health workers who are vulnerable to lawsuits because the scope of services performed carries a risk of malpractice and negligence.   Aim: This study was aimed to determine the application of a code of ethics in health services and analyze the influencing factors, as well as analyze the factors with the strongest influence. Methods: The study used an explanatory research method with a cross sectional approach. The population in this study were nurses who worked in health services, both in hospitals and health centers in the Surabaya area. The sample size in this study was calculated using the rule of thumb, amounting to 150 respondents. Samples were taken by means of purposive sampling, data were analyzed by path analysis with a significance level of α <0.005.   Result: Nurses apply a code of ethics in the good and excellent categories. The influencing factors were individual characteristics (p=0.000), work environment characteristics (p=0.000), experience (p=0.000), knowledge (p=0.000). The biggest influencing factor is experience with a large influence on knowledge is 0.803 and the influence on the application of the code of ethics is 0.823.   Conclusion: Most nurses in Indonesia have implemented a code of ethics in the good and excellent categories. Factors that influence the application of the code of ethics in health services are individual characteristics, characteristics of the work environment, experience. and knowledge. The most influential factor is experience. Nurses should be active in the activities of professional organizations. Workplace rotation is needed for nurses to gain experience in decision making, legal ethics