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The influence of conscience in nursing.
1School of Social and Health Sciences, Halmstad University, Campus Varberg, HOS, 432 80 Varberg, Sweden. annika.jensen@hh.se
Nursing Ethics
|December 24, 2008
Summary
Nurses
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Ethics
- Healthcare Quality
Background:
- Conscience's influence on nurses, particularly guilt, is well-documented.
- Less attention has been given to how conscience impacts patient care delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and describe nurses' perceptions of how conscience influences inpatient care provision.
Main Methods:
- Phenomenographic approach and analysis.
- Interviews conducted with 15 nurses across three hospitals in western Sweden.
Main Results:
- Nurses view conscience as a significant professional factor.
- Descriptive categories identified: conscience as a driving force, a restricting factor, and a source of sensitivity.
- Conscience guides nursing actions towards patients and families, enhancing care quality.
Conclusions:
- Conscience is integral to nursing practice and high-quality patient care.
- Understanding nurses' conceptions of conscience can inform professional development and support systems.
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