Background: A combination of theoretical and practical approaches is required to learn and acquire ethical competencies in caring. Occasionally, reflection on practical action differs from theoretical learning. In the context of reflective learning, issues such as ethical values can be discussed since they evoke conflict among nursing students.
Aim: To identify ethical conflicts encountered by nursing students during clinical placements and to determine their cooperation strategies.
Research design: Qualitative study with a content analysis according to Elo and Kinglas framework.
Participants and research context: Students enrolled in a nursing program at a Spanish university aged between 22 and 35, mainly women.
Methodology: The study includes 134 ethical reflections from nursing students in the last year of the nursing program, written during their clinical practices in a variety of learning environments. The research team analyzed the reflections using an inductive content analysis method.
Ethical considerations: Ethical permission was obtained by the management center according to Law 3/2028, and all the participants accepted to participate through the informed consent form.
Findings: Three main categories emerged from the analysis of the ethical reflections: (1) evaluation of professional performance and patient care; (2) the student as the protagonist of the dilemma; (3) student coping. Student dilemmas and concerns are related to ignorance, student-patient communication, mistakes made and self-confidence. Some situations conflict with the autonomy of patients and their rights, and can contribute to stressful situations for patients. Stress factors include hospital routines, which the patient cannot modify, and asymmetric relationships with staff, which encourage passivity.
Conclusion: All ethical problems detected by the students begin with the professional-patient relationship, including issues related to bad news, errors or malpractice. Reflection on the ethical values of nursing, both in the classroom and in clinical practices, allows students to develop a greater ethical awareness of care, enhancing their decision-making skills in ethical dilemmas.
Keywords: Ethical competence; hospital care; nursing students; qualitative research; reflection based learning.