임상간호사의 간호전문직관, 윤리적 민감성이 연명의료 중단 태도에 미치는 영향

The Influence of Nursing Professionalism, and Moral Sensitivity on Attitudes toward Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatment among Clinical Nurses

Purpose: This study aimed to identify nurses' professionalism, moral sensitivity, and attitudes toward discontinuing lifesustaining treatment, and to determine factors that influence attitudes toward discontinuing life-sustaining treatment. Methods: This study was conducted using a self-survey of 185 nurses working in domestic hospitals between April 8 and April 19, 2024. Results: Nursing professionalism averaged 3.52±0.43 points (range 5), ethical sensitivity averaged 3.60±0.34 (range 5), and attitudes toward discontinuation of life-sustaining treatment averaged 3.52±0.46 (range 5). Attitudes toward discontinuing life-sustaining treatment were positively related to moral sensitivity (r=.015, p =.043). Age (≤29 [β=.31, p =.013] and 30-39 [β=.24, p =.029]), assigned ward (ICU, ER, OR) (β=.27, p =.047), having children (β=.21, p =.010), and moral sensitivity (β=.16, p =.036) were found to have an effect. These four variables explained approximately 13% the variance in hospital nurses’ attitudes toward discontinuing life-sustaining treatment. Conclusion: To increase attitudes toward discontinuing life-sustaining treatment,, relevant education is necessary, considering the characteristics of each generation and childbirth experience. Moreover, different approaches are required depending on the size of the hospital by department. There is also a need to develop educational programs that increase ethical sensitivity.