RESUMO
PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine awareness of biomedical ethics, and to identify affecting factors of the awareness of biomedical ethics in nursing students. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 266 nursing students their third and fourth years of study. The data were collected from October to December, 2015 by self-report using questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using SPSS/WIN 18.0, descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean score of the awareness of biomedical ethics was 2.81±0.22, perception of death was 3.15±0.36, and knowledge of brain death, organ donation, and organ transplant was 12.12±3.02. The prediction factors of awareness of biomedical ethics were gender (β=.29, p<.001), participation in religious activity (β=.23, p=.015), and perception of death (β=.20, p=.016). The explanation power was 17.1%. CONCLUSION: These results showed that education about biomedical ethics is necessary for nursing students, and the development of biomedical ethics educational programs should reflect affecting factors.