MAKASSAR, Indonesia April 16 2026/NMHEALTH/ – When we think about nurses, we often imagine people who are skilled, fast, and knowledgeable. But there is something even more important caring. A nurse’s ability to show empathy, respect, and compassion can greatly influence a patient’s recovery. But where does this caring behavior come from? The answer lies in ethics.
A study titled “The Ethical Principles and Caring Behavior of Indonesian Nurses”, presented in the International Nursing and Health Sciences Symposium and published by PagePress in December 2023, explores this important connection . The research involved 389 nurses working in Indonesian hospitals and examined how ethical principles influence their caring behavior.
The findings reveal a clear message: nurses who strongly apply ethical principles tend to show better caring behavior. Ethics in nursing are not just abstract ideas—they are practical guidelines that shape how nurses treat patients every day. These principles include honesty (veracity), doing good (beneficence), avoiding harm (non-maleficence), and keeping commitments (fidelity).
Among these, fidelity—the ability to keep promises and stay committed to patients was found to have the strongest impact. Nurses who practiced fidelity were three times more likely to demonstrate strong caring behavior compared to those who did not. This means that simple actions like keeping patients informed, respecting their choices, and following through on care plans can significantly improve the patient experience.
Interestingly, the study also found that demographic factors such as age, education level, and work experience did not strongly influence caring behavior. This suggests that caring is not just something you gain over time—it is something that must be learned, practiced, and supported through education and environment.
This issue is closely connected to SDG 4: Quality Education, which emphasizes the importance of education in building strong and capable professionals. In nursing, education should not only focus on technical skills but also on ethical values and emotional intelligence. Teaching students how to care is just as important as teaching them how to treat.
The study highlights the need to introduce ethical training early in nursing education and to continue reinforcing it in the workplace. Hospitals and educational institutions must work together to create an environment where ethical behavior is encouraged and practiced consistently.
Why does this matter? Because caring behavior has a direct impact on patient outcomes. Patients who feel respected and supported are more likely to follow treatment plans, recover faster, and experience better overall well-being. In contrast, a lack of caring can lead to dissatisfaction, stress, and even poorer health outcomes.
In conclusion, the study reminds us that healthcare is not just about science—it is also about humanity. Nurses are not only caregivers but also ethical professionals who shape patient experiences every day. By strengthening ethical education and promoting caring behavior, Indonesia can improve the quality of its healthcare system.
This is a crucial step toward achieving SDG 4: Quality Education, ensuring that future nurses are not only competent but also compassionate. After all, in healthcare, the best treatment is not only effective it is also delivered with care.
Reference:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/hls.2023.11176
Contact:
Prof. Rini Rachmawaty, S.Kep., Ns., MN, PhD
0812 1391 6730
