eISSN 2097-6046
ISSN 2096-7446
CN 10-1655/R
Responsible Institution:China Association for Science and Technology
Sponsor:Chinese Nursing Association

Chinese Journal of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing ›› 2026, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (4): 432-439.doi: 10.3761/j.issn.2096-7446.2026.04.007

• Special Planning——Training and Management of Emergency and Critical Care Nurses • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research on the current status and influencing factors of ethical competence of emergency department nurses

HUANG Shuixiu1(), LIANG Li1, ZHANG Wei1, XU Junhui2, ZHAO Yu1,*()   

  1. 1 Emergency DepartmentPeking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen 518036, China
    2 Department of NursingTianjin Chest HospitalTianjin 300222, China
  • Received:2025-04-14 Online:2026-04-10 Published:2026-04-02
  • Contact: ZHAO Yu E-mail:shuixiu1399@163.com;369165008@qq.com

Abstract:

Objective To explore the current status and influencing factors of ethical competence among emergency department nurses. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sample of 623 nurses from the emergency departments of five tertiary hospitals in Shenzhen,Fuzhou,Zhangzhou,and Zhuhai. Data were collected online using a general information questionnaire,the Ethical Competence Support scale(48 items),the Ethical Competence scale(27 items),and the Ethical Safety scale(11 items). Results The high-level proportions for ethical competence support,ethical competence,and ethical safety among emergency department nurses were 72.23%,70.14%,and 60.51%,respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the influencing factors of ethical competence support were educational background,professional title,working years,having participated in ethical-related training,family members engaged in ethical-related work,and encountering ethical-related issues(P<0.05). The influencing factors of ethical competence were educational background,professional title,working years,nurse rank,having participated in ethical-related training,family members engaged in ethical-related work,and actively acquiring ethical knowledge(P<0.05). The influencing factors of ethical safety were educational background,professional title,working years,nurse rank,having participated in ethical-related training,family members engaged in ethical-related work,and actively acquiring ethical knowledge(P<0.05). Conclusion The overall level of ethical competence among emergency nurses is good,but ethical safety needs improvement. Managers should strengthen systematic ethics education and build supportive ethical environments;nurses themselves should proactively acquire ethics knowledge and reflect on ethical practices to comprehensively enhance their ethical competence and professional identity.

Key words: Emergency Nurses, Ethical Competence, Ethical Safety, Influencing Factor