Iranian nurses' perceptions of social responsibility: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Social Sciences
• Healthcare Ethics

Background:

• Social responsibility is integral to nursing practice.
• Previous research has not explored Iranian nurses' perceptions of social responsibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore Iranian nurses' perceptions of social responsibility.
• To understand the core components of social responsibility in nursing from the perspective of Iranian nurses.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative grounded theory approach.
• Semi-structured interviews with 10 nurses.
• Purposeful and theoretical sampling until data saturation.
• Constant comparative analysis of transcribed interviews.

Main Results:

• Five key categories emerged: positive human characteristics, professional competencies, professional values, solution-focused nursing care, and deployment of professional performance.
• Nurses believe socially responsible individuals possess positive personality traits and accurate professional skills.
• Socially responsible nurses uphold values, adhere to professional principles, and advance the nursing profession.

Conclusions:

• Social responsibility in nursing is multifaceted, involving personal attributes, professional capabilities, and ethical conduct.
• Iranian nurses view social responsibility as crucial for professional development and societal contribution.
• Findings highlight the importance of fostering these characteristics in nursing education and practice.