Ethical Considerations for Children Undergoing Surgery: Evaluation of Graduate Nursing Students’ Learning

Abstract

Background: To challenge dominant conceptions of children and innovate nursing education, our team created an open-access training module (https://childsxethics.net/) addressing ethical considerations for children undergoing surgery. Objective: To evaluate the level of Bloom’s Taxonomy cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning reached by graduate nursing students after completing the training module. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using Bloom’s Taxonomy. Data sources comprised of participants’ course assignments. Results: Participants (n=19) wrote 19 online reflections, 43 peer responses and completed two group assignments. The module and associated class assignments promoted high levels of cognitive and affective learning. The type of assignment influenced participants’ levels of learning. Cognitive and affective learning processes were enhanced when integrating reflections and fostering interactions among learners. Implications: Study findings will inform future iterations of the training module. Our innovative educational resource will facilitate the recognition of children as active moral agents and improve their surgical experiences.