Nurse moral distress and ethical work environment

Area of Science:

• Nursing Ethics
• Healthcare Management
• Psychology

Background:

• Moral distress is a significant issue for healthcare professionals.
• Understanding factors influencing moral distress is crucial for improving nurse well-being and patient care.
• The ethical work environment is hypothesized to play a role in moral distress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between moral distress intensity, moral distress frequency, and the ethical work environment.
• To explore how demographic characteristics relate to moral distress intensity and frequency among nurses.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative study involving 106 nurses from two large medical centers.
• Data collected on moral distress intensity, moral distress frequency, and perceptions of the ethical work environment.
• Statistical analyses, including correlations and regression, were used to explore relationships.

Main Results:

• Nurses reported moderate moral distress intensity and low moral distress frequency.
• A moderately positive ethical work environment was reported.
• Moral distress intensity and the ethical work environment were correlated with moral distress frequency.
• Age showed a negative correlation with moral distress intensity.
• Being African American was associated with higher moral distress intensity.
• The ethical work environment was a significant predictor of moral distress intensity.

Conclusions:

• Moral distress intensity and frequency are distinct constructs.
• The ethical work environment significantly influences moral distress intensity.
• Demographic factors, such as age and ethnicity, are associated with varying levels of moral distress.