Comparison of privacy awareness of surgical nurses and nursing students

Abstract

Background

Privacy is one of the most important principles that should be protected during nursing interventions. It is also very important for maintaining a professional stance in professional life.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the privacy awareness levels of nurses and nursing students and the factors affecting them.

Method

The sample of the study consisted of 157 nurses and 342 nursing students. Data were collected using Personal Information Form and Privacy Awareness Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis test, Dunn test and multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

The mean privacy awareness score of the nurses was 50.20 ± 4.71 and that of the students was 49.94 ± 4.88, and no significant difference was found between nurses and students in terms of privacy awareness levels (p < 0.05). Privacy awareness towards oneself was higher in female nurses and privacy awareness towards others was higher in nurses in their 30 s and married women. Total privacy awareness was highest in nurses aged 30–39 years, followed by nurses aged 20 and 40 years. The level of behavior to protect the privacy of others was higher in second-year students than in third-year students.

Conclusıons

In order to keep the privacy awareness of nurses high, appropriate physical conditions, educational opportunities, evaluation of requests and wishes by the institution, and emphasizing that students have the same moral responsibility as nurses in all professional course practices are necessary.