Authors

  1. Morrill, Deborah EdD, RN
  2. Westrick, Susan J. JD, RN, CNE

Abstract

Background: The emphasis on disciplinary and preventive approaches to combating academic misconduct does little to foster student professional identity and core nursing value formation.

 

Problem: There is a need for pedagogy designed to navigate moral decision-making within ambiguous areas of practice as nursing students integrate personal and professional values while becoming a nurse.

 

Approach: Rest's theory of moral development offers a framework for constructing purposeful affective learning activities that operationalize moral sensitivity, judgment, motivation, and character, whereas Krathwohl's theory provides a means to identify affective learning objectives. Offering prelicensure nursing students an opportunity to discuss, reflect on, and consider actions and consequences associated with academic and practice-based situations forms the basis for this affective learning module that fosters connections between academic and professional behaviors of integrity.

 

Conclusion: Rest's theoretical model provides a viable structured approach to moral development. Curriculum designed to engage moral decision-making offers an innovative approach to cultivating student integrity.