Meanings and Behaviors of Moral Identity: Perceptions of Nursing Students

Abstract

          The purpose of this qualitative descriptive research was to study the perceptions, meaning and moral identity behavior of nursing student at Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Bangkok.  Data were collected by group discussion within 22 informants with inclusion criteria. They are 1) to be a student representative in the position of president or vice president of a student club or representative of students in each year and 2) through participation in review activities and announcement of the college of nursing’s moral policy.  The research instrument was a group discussion questionnaire, which composed of the 9 Moral hearts identity framework led the Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Bangkok. (SHAPE BCNB), consisted of 9 main questions as follows: 1) Service mind 2) Honesty 3) Analytical thinking 4) Participation 5) Eco college 6) Bonding 7) Code of conduct 8) New technology and innovation 9) Based on sufficiency economy philosophy.  Each issue would have questions about meaning and behavior.  The data was analyzed by content analysis based on the concepts of Johnson and LaMontagne. 

          The results showed that students had a clear perception of the meaning of moral identity according to the SHAPE BCNB framework in all 9 characteristics by which students were able to describe behavior.  The outstanding identities in 5 attributes are service mind, honesty, code of conduct, bonding, based on sufficiency economy philosophy. The other 4 identities clearly describe behavioral characteristics namely, eco college, participation, and analytical thinking.  The student’s moral identity is diverse in each component, so it is important to understand the meaning and behavior of students.  Moral identity as a guideline for organizing various activities, organizing the environment, and nursing moral behavior continuously.  However, the College of Nursing should create awareness and understanding of the way of developing a moral identity with student since entering the College of Nursing.  To provide students with opportunities and space to continuously express such identities.