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Integration Pathways and Effectiveness of Curriculum-Based Character Education in Professional Nursing Courses: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Author(s)

Yanjuan Li*, Weidong Mao, Yamei Wang, Liang Li, Xiangqian Li, Nafeisha·Abula, Nureye·Halimulati

Affiliation(s)

Xinjiang Kexin Vocational and Technical College, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the integration of character education within professional nursing courses at a vocational and technical college during the 2024-2025 academic year. Through a cross-sectional survey of 167 nursing students, the research assessed their understanding and perceptions of this pedagogical approach. The findings revealed a high level of awareness and positive reception. A substantial majority of respondents (83.83%) demonstrated a clear comprehension of the objectives behind integrating character education, with 89.22% agreeing that it is instrumental in fostering proper values and a strong professional identity. Students showed a high degree of awareness regarding the implementation strategies, recognizing the infusion of character education elements primarily through course content (91.02%), specific teaching methods (77.65%), and various classroom activities (81.44%). Furthermore, an overwhelming 92.99% of students acknowledged a strong, positive relationship between their professional coursework and personal character development. In terms of teaching effectiveness, active learning pedagogies were identified as particularly impactful, with case analysis (85.63%), situational simulations (79.64%), and group discussions (80.24%) being rated as highly effective. Student engagement was also positively influenced, as 91.62% reported feeling inspired and motivated by the integrated content. The study concludes that the systematic integration of character education, utilizing both explicit and implicit pathways within authentic clinical contexts, significantly enhances both professional competency and character development, providing strong empirical support for its continued emphasis in nursing education.

Keywords

Nursing Education; Character education; Curriculum Integration; Professional Identity; Teaching Effectiveness; Pedagogical Innovation

References

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