Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to discover attitudes toward organ donation in brain dead donors and nursing ethical values of staff nurses. Method: The subjects were 196 nurses with direct patient care in a university hospital. Data collection was carried out for one month in September, 2008 using structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean and standards deviation, ANOVA and Pearson's Correlation with SPSS program. Result: The mean score of a positive attitude toward organ donation in brain dead donors was 3.59 points, and a negative attitude score was 3.02 points. The mean score of nursing ethical value was 3.05 points. The age and the length of career had a reverse correlation with a negative attitude toward organ donation. Nursing ethical values had a positive correlation with a negative attitude toward organ donation. Conclusion: It is necessary to increase understanding and recognition of brain death organs donation in the nurses who participate in direct patient care so as to help facilitate organ donation.