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Published on: January 15, 2017
Moral distress in emergency nurses.
Robin Fernandez-Parsons1, Lori Rodriguez, Deepika Goyal
1San Jose and Milipitas, CA.
Journal of Emergency Nursing
|February 19, 2013
Summary
Emergency nurses experience low moral distress, but issues with healthcare provider competency and futile care persist. Moral distress influences nurses
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Healthcare Ethics
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Moral distress is a significant issue for nurses, contributing to burnout, attrition, compassion fatigue, and patient avoidance.
- Understanding the prevalence and triggers of moral distress is crucial for improving nursing work environments and patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the frequency, intensity, and types of moral distress experienced by emergency nurses.
- To identify specific situations that contribute to moral distress in this population.
Main Methods:
- A quantitative, cross-sectional, and descriptive study design was employed.
- A 21-item, self-report, Likert-type questionnaire was administered to 51 emergency nurses.
- Data were collected from nurses in one community hospital.
Main Results:
- The overall mean moral distress level was 3.18, indicating a generally low level of moral distress among the participating nurses.
- The highest levels of moral distress were associated with healthcare provider competency and family-directed life support decisions (futile care).
Conclusions:
- While overall moral distress is low, specific ethical challenges related to provider competence and end-of-life care require attention.
- Moral distress is a contributing factor to nurses leaving their positions, with significant percentages considering or having left due to these experiences.
- Addressing the identified triggers of moral distress is essential for nurse retention and well-being.
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