Ethical Decision-Making Competence in Nursing Student InternsNCT07894653
A Multidimensional Intervention to Improve Ethical Decision-Making Competence Among Nursing Student Interns: A Randomized Controlled Trial
A study testing Multidimensional Intervention Group and Usual Clinical Internship Training Group in people with Ethical Decision-Making Competence in Nursing Student Interns, run by Yangzhou University.
Trial summary
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of a 5-week multidimensional intervention in improving ethical decision-making competence among nursing student interns. The intervention is designed to address multiple factors influencing ethical decision-making during clinical training. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Ethical Decision-Making Competence in Nursing Student Interns
- What is being tested?
- Multidimensional Intervention Group and Usual Clinical Internship Training Group
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 108 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Nov 2026to Apr 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Undergraduate nursing student interns undertaking clinical internships at tertiary Grade A hospitals.
- First-time hospital interns with no more than 3 months of internship experience.
- Good communication and language expression skills.
- Willingness to participate in the study and provide informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Individuals with a history of mental illness or communication difficulties.
- Nursing student interns who discontinue their hospital internship or take a leave of absence from their studies during the study period.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of a 5-week multidimensional intervention in improving ethical decision-making competence among nursing student interns. The intervention is designed to address multiple factors influencing ethical decision-making during clinical training. The study will also examine whether the effects of the intervention are maintained at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention ends.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Read more
- Does the 5-week multidimensional intervention improve ethical decision-making competence among nursing student interns compared with usual clinical internship training?
- Are the effects of the intervention maintained at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention ends?
Researchers will compare nursing student interns who receive the 5-week multidimensional intervention with those who receive usual clinical internship training to evaluate the intervention's effectiveness.
Participants will:
- Complete questionnaires assessing all study outcome measures at baseline, at the end of the 5-week intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention ends.
- Participate in the educational activities provided to their assigned study group.
- Complete follow-up assessments as scheduled.
- Being tested
- Multidimensional Intervention Group, Usual Clinical Internship Training Group
- Keywords
- Nursing Student, Ethical Decision-Making, Ethical Competence, Clinical Learning
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Multidimensional Intervention GroupOther
A 5-week multidimensional educational intervention to improve ethical decision-making competence among nursing student interns. Sessions will be delivered once weekly, lasting 1.5-2 hours each. The intervention includes five modules: (1) ethical issue recognition; (2) ethical emotion regulation; (3) ethical reasoning and decision-making; (4) ethical expression and action; and (5) clinical teaching rounds. The intervention aims to strengthen participants' ethical awareness, emotional regulation, decision-making, and ability to address ethical challenges during clinical learning.
Usual Clinical Internship Training GroupOther
Participants in the usual clinical internship training group will receive routine clinical learning and teaching according to the hospital's established training program. Regular activities include clinical skills training, observation and participation in nursing care under the supervision of clinical instructors, case discussions. When encountering ethical issues during clinical learning, participants will generally seek advice from their clinical instructors or supervising nurses. No additional study-specific intervention will be provided.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Multidimensional Intervention Group | Experimental | Participants assigned to this group will receive a 5-week multidimensional intervention designed to improve ethical decision-making competence among nursing student interns during clinical learning. The intervention will address factors relevant to ethical decision-making through structured educational activities. Participants will complete outcome assessments at baseline, at the end of the intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention ends. Receives: Other: Multidimensional Intervention Group; Other: Usual Clinical Internship Training Group |
| Usual Clinical Internship Training Group | Active comparator | Participants assigned to this group will receive usual clinical internship training according to the hospital's standard training arrangements. They will not receive the study-specific 5-week multidimensional intervention during the intervention period. Participants will complete outcome assessments at baseline, at the end of the 5-week intervention period, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention period ends. Receives: Other: Usual Clinical Internship Training Group |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Ethical Decision-Making Competence Scale
The scale consists of 18 items across four dimensions and assesses nursing students' creativity, confidence, awareness, and neutrality when facing ethical decision-making dilemmas involving patients or their families. It is based on Rest's Four-Component Model of Ethical Decision-Making, comprising ethical judgment, ethical sensitivity, ethical motivation, and ethical action. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). The total score ranges from 0 to 72, with higher scores indicating a higher level of ethical decision-making competence.
Measured: At baseline, immediately after the 5-week intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention.
Secondary outcomes (4)
Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale
This scale measures nurses' levels of imposter phenomenon and their attributions. It consists of 18 items across three dimensions: passive concealment (4 items), external attribution (6 items), and self-doubt (8 items). Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("completely inconsistent") to 5 ("completely consistent"). The total score ranges from 18 to 90, with higher scores indicating a more severe imposter phenomenon.
Measured: At baseline, immediately after the 5-week intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention.
Rushton Moral Resilience Scale
The scale consists of 17 items across three dimensions: coping with nursing ethical dilemmas and relational integrity (10 items), personal integrity (2 items), and ethical efficacy in nursing (5 items). Each item is rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("strongly disagree") to 4 ("strongly agree"). The total score ranges from 17 to 68, with higher scores indicating greater ethical resilience.
Measured: At baseline, immediately after the 5-week intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention.
Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire for Nursing Students
This scale measures nursing students' moral sensitivity and consists of 11 items across three dimensions: moral strength (4 items), moral burden (5 items), and moral responsibility (2 items). Each item is rated on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("strongly disagree") to 6 ("strongly agree"). The total score ranges from 11 to 66, with higher scores indicating greater moral sensitivity.
Measured: At baseline, immediately after the 5-week intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention.
Professional Quality Of Life Scale
The scale consists of three dimensions: compassion satisfaction (CS), burnout (BO), and secondary traumatic stress (STS). CS represents a positive aspect, whereas BO and STS represent negative aspects. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("never") to 5 ("always"). The cutoff scores for CS, BO, and STS are 27, and >17, respectively. Compassion fatigue severity is classified as mild when one dimension exceeds its cutoff, moderate when two dimensions exceed their cutoffs, and severe when all three dimensions exceed their cutoffs.
Measured: At baseline, immediately after the 5-week intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted26 Oct 2026
- Study startNov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionMar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionApr 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Ethical Decision-Making Competence in Nursing Student InternsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 108 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Yangzhou University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Qiuyu Zhang, Yangzhou University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07894653
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- YXYLL-2025-140
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 19 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 26 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 26 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Multidimensional Intervention to Improve Ethical Decision-Making Competence Among Nursing Student Interns: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07894653
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- YXYLL-2025-140
- Keywords
- Nursing Student, Ethical Decision-Making, Ethical Competence, Clinical Learning
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 108 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Yangzhou UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Apr 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 26 Oct 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of a 5-week multidimensional intervention in improving ethical decision-making competence among nursing student interns. The intervention is designed to address multiple factors influencing ethical decision-making during clinical training. The study will also examine whether the effects of the intervention are maintained at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention ends.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does the 5-week multidimensional intervention improve ethical decision-making competence among nursing student interns compared with usual clinical internship training?
- Are the effects of the intervention maintained at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention ends?
Researchers will compare nursing student interns who receive the 5-week multidimensional intervention with those who receive usual clinical internship training to evaluate the intervention's effectiveness.
Participants will:
- Complete questionnaires assessing all study outcome measures at baseline, at the end of the 5-week intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention ends.
- Participate in the educational activities provided to their assigned study group.
- Complete follow-up assessments as scheduled.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Multidimensional Intervention Group | Experimental | Other: Multidimensional Intervention Group, Other: Usual Clinical Internship Training GroupParticipants assigned to this group will receive a 5-week multidimensional intervention designed to improve ethical decision-making competence among nursing student interns during clinical learning. The intervention will address factors relevant to ethical decision-making through structured educational activities. Participants will complete outcome assessments at baseline, at the end of the intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention ends. |
| Usual Clinical Internship Training Group | Active comparator | Other: Usual Clinical Internship Training GroupParticipants assigned to this group will receive usual clinical internship training according to the hospital's standard training arrangements. They will not receive the study-specific 5-week multidimensional intervention during the intervention period. Participants will complete outcome assessments at baseline, at the end of the 5-week intervention period, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention period ends. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Undergraduate nursing student interns undertaking clinical internships at tertiary Grade A hospitals.
- First-time hospital interns with no more than 3 months of internship experience.
- Good communication and language expression skills.
- Willingness to participate in the study and provide informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Individuals with a history of mental illness or communication difficulties.
- Nursing student interns who discontinue their hospital internship or take a leave of absence from their studies during the study period.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Multidimensional Intervention GroupA 5-week multidimensional educational intervention to improve ethical decision-making competence among nursing student interns. Sessions will be delivered once weekly, lasting 1.5-2 hours each. The intervention includes five modules: (1) ethical issue recognition; (2) ethical emotion regulation; (3) ethical reasoning and decision-making; (4) ethical expression and action; and (5) clinical teaching rounds. The intervention aims to strengthen participants' ethical awareness, emotional regulation, decision-making, and ability to address ethical challenges during clinical learning. | Other | Multidimensional Intervention Group |
| Usual Clinical Internship Training GroupParticipants in the usual clinical internship training group will receive routine clinical learning and teaching according to the hospital's established training program. Regular activities include clinical skills training, observation and participation in nursing care under the supervision of clinical instructors, case discussions. When encountering ethical issues during clinical learning, participants will generally seek advice from their clinical instructors or supervising nurses. No additional study-specific intervention will be provided. | Other | Multidimensional Intervention Group, Usual Clinical Internship Training Group |
Primary outcome
Ethical Decision-Making Competence Scale
Time frame: At baseline, immediately after the 5-week intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention.
The scale consists of 18 items across four dimensions and assesses nursing students' creativity, confidence, awareness, and neutrality when facing ethical decision-making dilemmas involving patients or their families. It is based on Rest's Four-Component Model of Ethical Decision-Making, comprising ethical judgment, ethical sensitivity, ethical motivation, and ethical action. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). The total score ranges from 0 to 72, with higher scores indicating a higher level of ethical decision-making competence.
4 secondary outcomes
Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale
Time frame: At baseline, immediately after the 5-week intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention.
Rushton Moral Resilience Scale
Time frame: At baseline, immediately after the 5-week intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention.
Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire for Nursing Students
Time frame: At baseline, immediately after the 5-week intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention.
Professional Quality Of Life Scale
Time frame: At baseline, immediately after the 5-week intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 26 Oct 2026.
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Multidimensional Intervention Group and Usual Clinical Internship Training Group in people with Ethical Decision-Making Competence in Nursing Student Interns, run by Yangzhou University.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Qiuyu Zhang (+86 17334532770, mz120242155@stu.yzu.edu.cn), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Ethical Decision-Making Competence Scale (time frame: At baseline, immediately after the 5-week intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups after the intervention.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 Oct 2026.