Abstract

This thesis examines ethical decision making in nursing. The impact of Kohlberg's theory is contrasted with those of Gilligan, Noddings, Diekelmann, and Benner. The influence of these theorists on nurse researchers to develop their own theories based on nurses' ways of knowing is explored. More specifically the thesis critiques the debate between the "ethic of justice" and "ethic of care". An ethic of care is more congruent with the nature of the nurse-patient relationship and the goals of the nursing profession than previously used paradigms. The thesis contends that nurses respect a fundamental commitment to an ethic of justice in their practice but an ethic of care provides the framework that determines their relationship with their patient. This thesis examines the ethics competency in Health: Nursing: Program of Study 180.A0 ., the new curriculum for nursing programs in Quebec, in relationship to the nursing literature on the teaching and learning of ethics. Storytelling, seen as an effective strategy to enhance moral thinking and behaviour, is included as a way to achieve the ethics competency, but its significance could be overlooked if the teacher is not familiar with the literature. A bibliography, which the curriculum does not contain, could remedy this potential problem.